Patrick Nolan

Most people who knew him, would not consider Patrick Nolan a prince, but he was more than that. He had maneuvered through a violent childhood of domestic abuse, which escalated and led to the loss of his mother through suicide. Eventually Patrick escaped Nova Scotia to the streets of California, full of dope, despair, and broken expectations, where he hustled to stay alive. There, Patrick killed a man, was convicted, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP) in...See more

Most people who knew him, would not consider Patrick Nolan a prince, but he was more than that. He had maneuvered through a violent childhood of domestic abuse, which escalated and led to the loss of his mother through suicide. Eventually Patrick escaped Nova Scotia to the streets of California, full of dope, despair, and broken expectations, where he hustled to stay alive. There, Patrick killed a man, was convicted, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP) in one of California's worst prisons while still a teenager. Assaults, stabbings, riots, and death were constants. Despite these gruesome realities, Patrick found meaning for his life and became dedicated to becoming a shrewd convict activist for healing and recovery.Patrick got his poetry published which led to his relationship with a mentor and father-figure, in Don Morrison. Don loved poetry and became one of the co-founders of the self-help program at Folsom-The Men's Support Group. But Patrick was the lynch pin to initiating this program with his unique understanding and acceptance of the difficulties and realities of prison. With the determination to acquire the support of correctional officers, administration, free staff, outside volunteers, and prisoners he was instrumental in birthing a movement.Nolan had a vision for the power of poetry and a vision about healthy masculinity. He acted on them by developing both visions to create what was needed and what he was hungry for. He brought outside poets together to form and teach classes about poetry. His enthusiasm was contagious and his desire authentic. Soon men who never wrote a poem in their lives were sitting in his class and scorching paper with the power of their passionate words. See less