Pubdate: Sun, 23 Oct 2005
Source: Chickasha Express-Star (OK)
Copyright: 2005 The Chickasha Express-Star
Contact:  http://www.chickashanews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/806
Author: Jason Clarke

PRISONER CONTINUES EDUCATION TO HELP OTHERS

While most view prison as a place to put criminals, one man has found 
hope in his cell.

Prison has been a life changing experience for Robert Steven Pearcy.

"I deeply feel my time here has given me the opportunity to better my 
life," Pearcy said.

Pearcy is an inmate at the Jess Dunn Correctional Center in Taft, Okla.

He pled guilty in Grady County, to endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine.

Reportedly out searching for anhydrous ammonia when the rest of the 
lab was busted on Nov. 5, 2004, Pearcy was picked up by a trooper 
while walking south along Hwy. 81 the next day.

At a joint preliminary hearing on March 30, co-conspirator Nathan 
Falk made a plea agreement with the District Attorney's Office, then 
took the stand to testify against Pearcy.

Bound over on the charge, Pearcy followed the advice of his counsel 
Al Hoch and accepted a deal that would give him 10 years to serve and 
10 years probation, while serving a 10 year sentence for Caddo County 
concurrently.

In prison, Pearcy has kept himself busy.

Being the valedictorian of his G.E.D. class, Pearcy has received a 
full scholarship for an associates degree from Conners State College 
in Warner, Okla.

"I'm looking forward to attending college classes in the spring 
semester," Pearcy said.

Pearcy has also received A.A., Homes of Honor and Alcoholics & 
Narcotics Victorious.

"My involvement in Homes of Honor has given me the tools to use in 
rebuilding my relationship with my children and my ex-wife and 
family," Pearcy said.

But what keeps Pearcy motivated is thoughts of the future. Pearcy is 
up for parole in September of 2008.

He said he looks forward to his release so that he can pursue a 
degree in psychology and work to become a drug counselor.

"I hope to help others who have been misguided by the drug culture," 
Pearcy said, "By helping others, I will continue to help myself."
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