Voices From Within
By Gordon Perry
Hello & Welcome folks to our new interactive feature called Voices From Within. My name is Gordon, your voice and friend from the inside. I designed this to give people impacted by thesystem simple practical, low-barrier ways to connect, learn, and reduce harm. I did add a little teaser from the PBS Frontline Solitary Nation documentaries from 2014 & 2019 showing me in the old M.S.P. segregation unit. This is for those of you who may not be familiar with this important part of M.D.O.C. history, and how far the M.D.O.C. has come. There was a time when rehabilitation related programing or support avenues at M.S.P. were unheard of. Thankfully M.P.A.C. has been a leader for prison advocacy in ME, and has helped push the M.D.O.C. into what it has transformed into today.The M.D.O.C. is now a leader throughout the entire country in unique & innovative prison reform practices. More on that later, for now let me focus on the programs we are implementing 😀.
Why this feature exists
People inside and their families have felt the negative effects of the system for far too long. Voices From Within aims to help minimize this by making a meaningful positive impact on the people participating in these different programs. These programs focus on education, harm reduction, and building practical support networks, and the work M.P.A.C. has pushed for and continues to support so this important work is able to continue. My hope is that my persistence, dedication, and hard work will successfully help individuals do this effectively.
A personal note
I grew up in a broken system that offered almost zero help from when I was just a child touring the youth center facilities to the adult prison system. Roughly a decade ago things started changing for the better in ME when restorative practices and ways of being started being explored and implemented. Since that time the M.D.O.C. did a 180° turn changing into the M.M.O.C.. A new styled system utilizing restorative programming along with medicines to treatmental health related issues like ADHD/ADD and SUD to name a few. These tools finally started reaching people like myself who desperately needed them to function like a normal human being. That change transformed my life like I never imagined possible. I recognize and appreciate all of this and now I want to pay it forward.
Thank you for checking out Voices From Within. Give these programs a chance to grow on you, use what you learn, and pass it on. Your attention, questions, support and voice help change lives.
Recipe of the week: 🍣The Surf & Turf Inside-out Connection Bowl🥩
This dish is designed for residents in the M.D.O.C. to make during a Zoom visit with a loved one. By keeping things normal & building relationships through moments like these can help keep relationships strong. We need to be creative and embrace these new ways we can finally interact with loved ones inside the M.D.O.C. thanks to the new M.M.O.C. styled prison system that offers these opportunities to avoid getting institutionalized unlike days from the past.
Service & Connection
This week emphasizes relationship nourishment — not just physical nourishment.
🍣The Surf & Turf Inside-out Connection Bowl🥩
This dish is designed for residents in the M.D.O.C. to make during a Zoom visit with a loved one. By keeping things normal & building relationships through moments like these can help keep relationships strong. We need to be creative and embrace these new ways we can finally interact with loved ones inside the M.D.O.C. thanks to the new M.M.O.C. styled prison system that offers these opportunities to avoid getting institutionalized unlike days from the past.
🔥 This meal will have you dancing with joy (AND WHY IT MATTERS)
This creative little meal is a tasty treat that you can share with your loved one inside using all the same foods we use. It is going to surprise you for sure with its delicious taste. The best part is getting to share some time with your loved one using the global language we all know which is the food, and quality time shared with one another. Enjoy and keep checking out future M.E.A.L.S..
🥣 INGREDIENTS
1 pouch/can tuna
1–2 ramen packs OR 1 bag instant rice
3.5 oz summer sausage, chopped to preferred size
1 or 2 syrup packet or from a bottle of syrup use enough (for caramelizing)
Pickles, chopped small and add more if you like the flavor (roughly 2–3 tbsp)
I use Bacon/Cheddar block cheese, but we have Mozzarella & Cheddar which is then diced or shredded
Olives (optional)
🧄Garlic powder
GOYA Adobo seasoning (this is my go to seasoning it slamming!)
Jalapeño & some light Mayo if you like these flavors (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Cook Your Base
Rice: microwave and fluff.
Ramen: cook and drain, keeping it hot.
Caramelize the Sausage (The Magic Step ✨)
Chop summer sausage into small pieces.
Place in a microwave-safe bowl or a clean trash bag set inside another bowl.
Add 1 or 2 syrup packet (cover meat leisurely) + optional jalapeño slices.
Microwave 7–8 minutes, stopping every minute to stir & cover meat with glaze to carmalize.
When the syrup coats the sausage & builds a light crust, it’s ready.
👉 This adds a sweet-savory flavor people don’t expect from prison cooking.
Build the Connection Bowl
Add hot rice/ramen (or both) to your mixing bowl.
Add the tuna, breaking it apart.
Add the caramelized sausage.
🥒Mix in pickles, olives, and cheese.
Stir everything together while still hot.
Season It
Garlic powder, seasoning packet from soup,
GOYA Adobo
Mayo if you want it creamy
Stir until everything blends into a thick, hearty meal.
❤️ FINAL NOTE
This dish isn’t just food. It’s a reminder that your inside connection is still alive, even in hard times & places, and this is another great example of how we can learn keep strong & build our futures by enacting one small act of kindness at a time.