Twenty years ago, Woodland got out of prison. Today he is chief of staff for D.C. Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham. He was recently honored by the U.S. Parole Commission for his successful re-entry into the community.
Why were you in prison?
I mean, which time? You know, it was 38 different arrests, I think, 12 incarcerations. It was mostly drug-related. I was an addict, smoking crack and, of course, marijuana and PCP and drinking.
What changed that last time you got released?
I had this premonition: I can’t go on like this anymore… I layed in the bed and all of the wonderful people in my life who have been trying to help me over the years, all of the teachers, the police officers, my mother, my father, my grandmother, all of the people came flooding in.
What was it like trying to find a job after getting out of prison with a long record at age 30?
It was hopeless… The first job I had I was working at a gas station. I was the janitor/cashier/foodmaker… It was very humiliating. I was working for minimum wage. I was barely making it.
How did you make the transition from gas station clerk to where you are today?
I knew I wasn’t going to retire at this gas station… So I went back to the treatment center after I graduated and the director told me after I had a year clean he would hire me. He hired me as night staff person.
And now, after running a homeless shelter, Graham brought you into politics.
I didn’t predict this for myself. I had never voted before… My little sister used to say when I had my boxing career and people always wanted to ask me for stuff, favors. My little sister said “Stop using my brother.”… Well, I became useless. I got to the point where people couldn’t use me. Then in this position I became useful again.
?–Kytja Weir
