Republished some ten years later after originally released, They Called Me 299-359 collects highlights that while much has changed in a decade, much has stayed the same. Collecting stories and poetry from those incarcerated as youth, this powerful anthology curates the deepest thoughts and truest emotions from dozens of authors.

— Simon Traub-Epstein, International Library of Young Authors

From the publisher: “They Called Me 299-359 is an anthology of poetry and essays written, edited, and compiled by incarcerated youth who are Free Minds Book Club members, held both at the DC Jail and in adult federal facilities across the country. Through moving personal testimony, these young writers explore the challenges and pain of incarceration as well as family, forgiveness, redemption, and dreams. Their book is used as a tool for violence prevention and healing in Free Minds’s youth violence prevention initiative ‘On the Same Page,’ and is also taught as part of college curricula at several universities. This 10th anniversary edition includes updated forewords from Free Minds poet ambassadors as well as from award-winning formerly incarcerated poet Reginald Dwayne Betts.”