Harrison Misioka Seuga
Age: 36
Family: My father passed away while I was incarcerated in 1993. My mom lives in Hawaii. I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters. I’m the oldest and the only one incarcerated.

Why did you join the T.R.U.S.T.?
To manifest the changes in my life and my effect on my community; also the consequences on my family that were often negative in the past. T.R.U.S.T. allows me an opportunity to have a positive impact on communities—in turn on myself and my family.

What does being a T.R.U.S.T. Fellow mean to you?
The culmination of positive steps—that have had a positive effect in changing one’s life—membership confirms this right course of direction, in actions as well as in commitment.

Since coming to prison, what have you accomplished?
Since prison my life experiences have shaped and reshaped the world as I have experienced it. The worst of it, to appreciate the best of it. My spiritual and educational growth has reflected this on-going process—to see the world through our actions and interactions. Positive changes manifest from positive actions---I live positively so that I may have a positive affect on my family and community.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Philosophy—poetry—chess—sleeping—and singing (only in my sleep, of course).

What programs are you involved with other than the T.R.U.S.T.?
I.M.P.A.C.T. (Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things)
Prison University Project—Patten University (Associates of Art degree)
Non-Violent Communication
S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. (At-risk youths advocate/counselors)
Arts and Corrections—Shakespearean Theatre

What kind of work do you do with the “inside” and/or “outside” communities?
Inside I help to facilitated T.R.U.S.T. workshops and events. Workshops that address lifestyles, values, family, and community as a self-investment. By investing in self as a positive catalyst to one’s family and community. Outside I facilitate outside-to-inside community building investments/projects.

How do you live up to the T.R.U.S.T. values system? How do you promote the ideals of the T.R.U.S.T. outside the workshops?
By living positively, to promote positive living. By being an example—a realistic role model that suffers, struggles, and lives through the hardships of life. To find value through those hardships. To strengthen our commitment for improvement of self, family and community.

What do you want to do after you parole?
Go fishing. Continue this healing process in my community and life. Then, go fishing again….

What are your long-term goals?
To create a diversion program, as an alternative to incarceration and family dismemberment in Hawaii. Maybe write a book—based on my experiences and how I experienced them. Maybe even publish a book of poems—written and collected over the years.

Personal message to the outside community:
Incarceration is a collective means of punishment that society has rightly reserved for those whom violate their communities. Re-integration is an idea that those punished can be redeemed through those punishments, through contrition of their wrongs, through restitution both financial and community involved.

Incarceration is left to our Government entities to enforce and maintain. This Governmental efficiently deals with numbers not people. Reintegration like community building, is an ideal that is realized with community involvement. People relying on people. Families relying on their communities. Communities relying on people to create and maintain vibrant communities.