I forgot to mention my two younger brother's and I were raised by the state for half of our adolescent years. I was 12 when the state assumed custody of me and that relationship would last until I was 24 years old. I was in Juvenile Detention on and off throughout my teenage life. On average it was my residence from 2-6 months periodically while I waited for a new placement in one of their youth programs as they call them. My first was a placement in a foster home. These people were quite messed up. They used the money allotments from the state to be used for me on their kids instead. Psychologically, they treated my awful. I am an Atheist and have been most of my life. They consistently called me a devil, were always screeming at me and even resorted to bringing in a priest to banish the demons I brought into their home, according to their beliefs. It was a psychological nightmare. I was there for 7 months, trying to negotiate with my probation officer a different placement. I was 13 at the time. My grievances were ignored, so after a few more weeks, I ran away. Next I was sent to a Group Home. My brother was also now in state custody, so they placed us together this time. We both ran away that night. My brother went to a different group home and since I was the oldest, as an example to my brother's, I was sent to the Kent County Youth Camp In Kent County, Michigan. This is my place of birth. The Youth Camp was a farming work program. I ran away the first night and lived on the streets for two months. I am now 14 years old. My next placement was of a bit stricter facility. It's called George Junior Republic and was located in Grove City, Pennsylvania. The all boys institution was modelled after Boys Town, Nebraska, which is nationally known. I went on to complete this program after 16 months and was released home. I went on to the adult system next. I turned 18 years old while sitting in jail for a year. I graduated high school 3 months early, by taking the G.E.D. or General Education Test. At the age of 22, I was arrested for possession of Marijuana and was sent to prison for 1 1/2 - 5 years. I was released one year later because of earned good time. I am now about to turn 44 years old and have pretty much kept my nose clean for the last 20 years. I am now getting ready to divest myself about 95% from the system. The rest is summarized well enough in my Steemit Introduction. I would not change a thing I have done. It has made me who I am and I don't have much of a problem with my character. I do however, understand the American "Justice" system well enough. It is brainwashing mixed with negative reinforcement, which many of us know, especially animal trainers, is a failed technique. If we as a species want to grow compassion, corporate style punishment/ judgement systems must become a thing of the past.