I’m living proof, crime doesn’t pay
Now I’m in prison, wasting away
Where receiving a letter’s the highlight of my day
Shows that you care but I don’t care what it says
It could be half a page or even eight sides
I know you’ve heard the stories but you ain’t heard mine
I don’t mean Harry Potter, I mean how I’m here and why
But to understand you’ve got to read between the lines
I’m no angel, I’m not pleading innocence
Well maybe to the crime that I’m in for but that’s different
We all make mistakes and yeah – I’ve got regrets
My biggest mistake was the company that I kept
You can believe life is choices or that life is fate
By the time I made the right choices it was too late
It’s not too late for you, but I can’t tell you what to do
I might sound like a hypocrite, but just think it through
Thinking first makes you less impulsive
Think before you speak and you won’t say nothing insulting
You can still be misunderstood and give off the wrong impression
I wish I thought first, but now I’ve learnt my lesson
I’m not gonna make excuses and say I’m in here for anybody
But hopefully my mishap can be a lesson for everybody
What you choose to take from this depends on how you think
Right now I’m washing my face and my plate in the same sink
Most people are scared to visit or write to me
Prison’s not as bad as people make it out to be
If I had a choice, I’d rather be at home, obviously
The worse thing about prison is missing your family
I don’t wanna come back, give 6 out of 10 for the food
No joke, you can lose your life for just being rude
No name – just a number, you’re lucky to be a civilian
You may have lost all respect for me, but that’s your opinion
Bubba
Some of you will know Bubba – check out the Big Up Download I visited him the other week; the poem is something he wrote for the ELFM website – I said I would rather he explain than me interpret what has happened to him.
I’ve thought about Bubba a lot since I visited him. I’ve really thought about it and I haven’t lost my respect for him. More so, for his guts in writing something. What’s more – he’s an ELFMer goddamnit! And if we have achieved nothing else in the past 5 years, we have created an ELFM family. From time-to-time we have disagreements and fall-outs; but we have fun, we do some bloody good stuff and we support each other through the hard times – sometimes without even realising it (ELFM has been a big part of my own recovery from illness.)
So my friends… my weird and wonderful family! I’m asking for your help.
Bubba has a 5-year sentence – he’s going to be inside for a while. I don’t want Bubba to waste away. He is trying his hardest. In his first letter to me he wrote, “Obviously it’s not ideal but I do know how to turn negative situations into positive ones. I’ve got a job in here which is helping fellow inmates to cook and helping the tutor teach the inmates about parenting and good family relationships. That’s only temporary as I’m currently in the process of applying for distance learning. I’m not sure if you know much about that but in short, I apply for a grant and then I’m able to do a University degree whilst I’m in here.”
But I need your help. I’m asking you to write to Bubba. You can leave a comment on this post and I’ll make sure he gets it – but what about sending a letter or a card. Like Bubba said – doesn’t matter what you say. Send a postcard, a picture or something. Tell him about yourself, the world, about ELFM … whatever. And here’s a tip – if you would like a reply, enclose a stamped addressed envelope – I didn’t realise but prisoners get a very small amount of money to spend so buying a stamp is a big deal.
Send it to:
Ashleigh (Bubba) Jeffers [WD7366]
HMP Moorland Closed
Bawtry Road
Hatfield, Woodhouse
Doncaster DN7 6BW
And if you don’t know him – just write anyway – and, what the hell, Christmas is coming and if there is one Christmas card that you can send which will really mean something – this is it!
We’ll be visiting Bubba from time to time, and if anybody is interested in coming down – it takes a bit of organisation and the best part of a day – but we’d be only too happy to have you join us. Just have a word the next time you see me or drop me an email
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Latest: Sharon - ages ago 2nd December 2009, 4:37am
Hi just an update on Bubba,he is doing well and has now been transferred to an open prison,stil in Doncaster as still waiting on a trasfer to a prison closer to home…..he is still remaining positive and getting on with it.
He is a real soldier and from talking to him is definately not going back to prison but may want a job helping others before its too late…
Thank u everyone for their best wishes,cards and letters for those that took the time to write.
Thanks again,Sharon (Bubba’s mum)
Luke - ages ago 28th April 2009, 1:57am
Hi i dont know you but i really enjoyed your poem it was really good hope you can make that best of situation.
Dave Liversidge - ages ago 25th January 2009, 12:07pm
Still into hippi-hoppi-crappy (I mean) rappy Bubba? When are you gonna get sensible and get into country. Only joking. I wish I knew as much about modern music. Keep rocking mate!
katie - ages ago 30th December 2008, 4:56pm
Hello everyone,
i sent bubba a letter before xmas and he wrote straight back to me, a really nice letter. i’ll send another one to him soon, but he really does seem to like getting letters and writing back, so please do write to him! this is such a busy time of year for everyone, i can’t imagine what it would be like to be inside and not out visiting family and joining in all the festivities! so if you didn’t send a christmas card, send a happy new year card now!!
katie x
Caro - ages ago 24th December 2008, 6:27pm
I got a lot out of your poem, especially the part about choices and how we think. Its often hard to see the choices at the time things are happening. I’ll send a new year card. Take care bubba
caro
codey - ages ago 24th December 2008, 12:28am
Eazii Bubba
i dont know you but that was a sick poem(meaning good lol) but yeah just keep it real in there and i hope your life turns around and heads the right way .xx. by the way ive never heard of this website and id like to get in with it .x
jane - ages ago 22nd December 2008, 5:48pm
just read your poem Bubba, went to visit my son in prison yesterday, its awful, i didnt sleep all last night with worry about him. Your poem is great,write some more. We should get a prisoners book of poems published, My son has done some too. Take care my love and keep chin up. x
Adrian - ages ago 13th December 2008, 8:05am
Me and Ed went to visit Bubba the other day. He’s doing well.
We both returned home knackered. It’s a long journey and then there’s a two and a half hour wait between getting there and actually getting to see Bubba. We talked about the possibility of trying to get him moved to a prison closer to home and we’re going to have a chat with some of our prison contacts to work out how we can help make that happen.
The first Christmas card has arrived – and Bubba was a little bemused but very pleased. But he reiterated how important letters were to him. To receive but also he wants to write back to people.
Thanks for your support everyone.
Adrian - ages ago 8th December 2008, 11:30am
I received an email the other day from Sharon – Bubba’s mum:
Hi Adrian,
Nice to hear from you, thank you for going to visit Bubba. I’m sure he was well pleased to see someone with a interest in music and him. I read his poem and it was very moving, it brought me to tears and after reading all the responses I was even worse but happy that so many people are taking an interest in him.
He is not a bad person,he just got mixed up with the wrong kind of people…I have told him since he was young about the company you keep as a person has a bearing on the kind of life you live. I never ever wanted any of my kids to see the inside of a prison, (I used to work for the probation service and had that experience but knew I could leave at the end of the visit). It’s true what they say you learn by your mistakes and I know Bubba wont be going back inside but we need to get him thru this long and sad time…I have been worried about the isolation he may feel of go thru but have to thank you in advance for what you are doing for him.
It hasn’t helped him non as i have been very sick the last 18 months and I know he worries, but Ash doesn’t always talk about things close to his heart.
That’s why its good that he writes about it, as i know he must miss his spitting and his music to the max.
I hope he takes a positive path on his release, i feel he will….as I truly believe he has more than learnt his lesson in the short time he has been in prison, actions speak louder than words.
Adrian thank you for all your doing for Bubba, and can you please keep me posted on his writing, I think its good for other young people to read and learn from others experiences.
Thanks again and look forward to hearing from you…
Sharon
Laurelle - ages ago 3rd December 2008, 12:05pm
Hi Bubba, I am a student from Brisbane in Australia. I hope all goes well for you. Keep up with your music and hopefully I and my daughter will be able to hear some of your work soon. I am lucky enough to have had some contact recently from Adrian , it seems you have a good man there. Take care and i wish you all the best. I guess those that scrutinize this before you get it will let me know if I can send additional hello’s. I hope you and yours have a peaceful and safe festive season ( I do not want to presume any faith/ beliefs. If so i send this as a Christmas hope and wish if not I just send it anyways.
From Laurelle Student In OZ
Kirsty-Lou - ages ago 29th November 2008, 1:27pm
Hi Bubba
Kirsty-Lou Here, its been a while. I was really sad to hear what’s happened but reassured you’re being positive about every thing. What courses are you thinking about doing, I think that’s a really productive use of your time there. I was hoping you’d be ok with me writing to you and staying in touch. Stay positive. xx
Alex - ages ago 29th November 2008, 9:05am
very inspiring. I will send a card – much more important than going through those meaningless lists of people you never see…
Daniel - ages ago 28th November 2008, 10:58pm
I don’t know you but from the poem I have read I give you my respect because you have shown the understanding of the crime you did and you will accept that you have to do the time.
The best thing for me is that you are willing to take responsibility and I know that when you come out all the ELFM crew will be there to support you and I look forward to meeting you.
Good luck mate and all the best for when you come out
Anna - ages ago 25th November 2008, 12:14pm
Hi My name is anna and i am currently running mothers against violence in leeds i am really impressed with bubbas words and am wanting to speak to him more about supporting our cause , i feel he and his great honesty will be great, if you are interested please email me and let me know and the address can be found on the email should you wish to get in touch, please pass on my message and address so we can speak in person if this is something he wants to do….
Thanks and keep up the great work and blog
Anna
Linda - ages ago 25th November 2008, 10:50am
Hi Bubba. I agree with what everyone is saying – this is a moving poem. And it is only someone with your positive outlook on life that can turn this into an opportunity. Many others would give up and play a victim role. You have already impressed my son with your positive outlook. I hope that you continue your message and that it makes a difference to someone else’s life. I’m off to find the cheeriest Christmas card I can find!
Carol - ages ago 24th November 2008, 1:11pm
I’ll certainly send Bubba a card.
Carol – Prison Employment Officer at HMP Leeds (and one-time ELFM presenter)
andy - ages ago 24th November 2008, 11:52am
Really moving poem, you can expect a card from me as well.
Look forward to working with you at some point in the future.
Jonathan - ages ago 24th November 2008, 9:01am
Great writing Bubba. I remember you being around when I was doing the Eastern Promise programmes a few years ago- I think your grime prog was on after ours. I’m sure you will use your experience well and be an inspiration. Just keep writing like that and keep connected.
Helen - ages ago 22nd November 2008, 9:44pm
Hey Bubba,
I dont think you’ll remember me i wasnt that involved with elfm when you were around, but i did see you a couple of times.
I just think that poem was really good, very moving.
Youve got my respect for making the best out of what you got
from Helen
Abigail May - ages ago 22nd November 2008, 12:25pm
Hello Bubba,
I was really pleased to read your poem, good to hear your voice, as it were.
I was so sad to hear the news from Ed that you had gone to prison, It never occurred to me to lose respect for you,that would wipe out all the good stuff that we did together and all the people you helped and the number of times you made me laugh.
I was just sad that that this happend. BUT good to hear that you are continuing to inspire others as well as studying. You are certainly not forgotten.
I will sort a card for you shortly as well as piccy’s, its always nice to look at a picture and news of some of the people you know .
I’m sure you will be ok and hope fully come out with a brain full good stuff as well as the hard times.
A man who can carry of an all white tracksuite is capable of anything.
thinking of you Abigail xxx
Emma! - ages ago 21st November 2008, 11:30pm
This is probably THEE most moving post i have ever read!
I am deffo going to write to buba
but adrian tell him that :
Keep beliving.
Even though he might not feel like it keep smiling cos it will be worth it.
And he probably doesn’t remember who i am but his poem has moved me and i am sure it will have an effect on everyone who reads it.
love emma xxxxx
edheaton - ages ago 21st November 2008, 7:39pm
Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks soon Bubba. I will also send a card. Although anyone who knows me will know that I am rubbish at sending them. Keep Your Head Up.
Ed.
F on the Groove - ages ago 21st November 2008, 6:47pm
Bubba! easy no rasta!
I’m going to send you a Christmas card and its going to be the Koolest one you have every recieved. When you are 95 and looking back at this minor blip in your life, you will still have the card and it will bring a smile to your face.
Take care and God Bless you…
Paul
Eugene - ages ago 21st November 2008, 5:54pm
Cool poem Bubba – I’ll send you a Christmas Card