Tracy White
Written by Tracy’s wife Michelle
I'd like you to meet Tracy J. White, Jr.; a 1st time Felony Offender from Elmira, N.Y., who was convicted of Bank Robbery. How does an aspiring business man, Father, community volunteer, Basketball Coach (for 8-12 yr olds), and prior Semi-pro basketball player who attended college end up committing such a crime?
In short: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA's+ UNDERDEVELOPED BRAIN+DRUG USE=COMMISSION OF HIS CRIME
Tracy Jeremiah White, Jr. graduated from high school and nearly completed his Associates Degree at Corning Community College prior to his incarceration. Tracy is a Christian that attended church with his family. He established a scholarship called "YOUNG M.I.N.D.S" and used his own money that he earned as the scholarship money that was awarded to graduating high school students. At 21; Tracy became a Father and had custody of his son who was nearly 2 years old at the time of his arrest. He also played semi-professional basketball for the Elmira Red Riders and was a basketball coach for 8-12 year olds at a local community center. Tracy often gave a few of his players a ride home from practice & bought them some dinner too. He volunteered at the local hospital and had dressed up as Santa for the children during a community event.
Despite struggling with his own depression, sporadic suicidal thoughts & initiating drug use to numb his feelings due to his own childhood traumas; Tracy White was a beacon of hope, positivity, and an advocate within his community. He was an inspiring role model for the youth as well. Everyone was shocked that he had committed a crime, was arrested, & sentenced to prison time. Unknown to everyone was the financial difficulties Tracy was experiencing trying to support his family and their household. Unfortunately, committing bank robbery was his desperate & drug fueled solution to his money issues.
During his incarceration; Tracy White has accomplished the following: completed Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART) & Alcohol Substance Abuse and Treatment (ASAT), Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP1, 2, & T4F), attended Protestant Church Sunday Services, Bible studies, Kairos Inside (Selected for 2 weekend retreats), Alcoholics Anonymous, Certificate of Merit for Basic Legal Research and Law Library Management, and Peer Facilitator for Community Access Services of WNY. At Five Points C F.; he attended the Spiritus Christian Bi-weekly support group, was the Inmate Liaison Committee (ILC) Treasurer, Block Representative & ILC Sub-committee for Commissary, and approved for an IPA position & Honor Housing. Tracy also enjoyed participating in Cephas (Support group), Youth Assistance Program, Alpha/Cap Program, and Vera House workshops re: parent/child relationships, Fatherhood, & parenting classes. He has independently, and with peers, learned the fundamentals of Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). He participated in the Family Reunion Program (FRP) with his son & Mother in Attica and his current application is being processed at Wyoming C.F. as he meets all the requirements. Tracy White has worked in Commissary, the Chow Hall as a Cook, and is currently a Porter in his Honor Dorm at Wyoming C.F. He earned a Food Handler’s Certificate, participated in basketball leagues, utilized the General & Law Library, and recorded books via "Words That Travel" (for his son).
He participated in Electrical Trades but completed his vocational requirement in Building Maintenance. Moreover, he was honored that the Wyoming C.F. Instructor asked him to re-tile the classroom inmate bathroom. Due to his strong work ethic & quality of his work; he's presently employed with two Inmate Program Assistant (IPA) positions at Wyoming C.F. in Custodial Maintenance and Phase 3. Notably, His Custodial Maintenance Instructor sought out Superintendent approval for him to remain an IPA in Custodial Maintenance due to the restriction that incarcerated people are not allowed to simultaneously work two Grade 4 jobs.
Furthermore, Tracy attempted to enroll in college to complete his Associates Degree, but, learned that due to a prior college loan balance (approx. $1,000); he cannot attend while incarcerated. In addition to helping to teach a course that prepares people for their upcoming release (Phase 3) from NYS DOCCS; he also co-facilitates a course: "Your Money; Your Goals." They discuss legal ways to support themselves & family members moving forward. He shares knowledge regarding the intricacies & responsibility of business ownership, investing in the stock market, how to move from a struggling to thriving mindset, ways to legally build wealth, etc. Participants are provided with a variety of resources to read, review at their leisure, & discuss in class if they choose to do so.
Tracy White has also done some "Energy Healing" Work that has transformed him. He has learned about the negative impact of his childhood traumas upon his brain & poor decisions in young adulthood. Tracy has learned about his Chakra's and maintaining a balanced life: mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, energetically, etc. He has learned self-care through yoga, meditation, breathwork, journaling, grounding. etc. This has given him a new perspective and peace of mind. Tracy White has taken advantage of every single opportunity presented during his incarceration to learn and grow as a person.
Lastly, Tracy takes full responsibility for his short-term poor choices that led to some long-term consequences; not only for himself - but for the negative impact upon the bank employees, his family members, friends, & community. He expresses great remorse as the true inner spirit of Tracy Jeremiah White, Jr. is to make a positive impact upon others in this world. He doesn't want to be a liability to NYS taxpayers anymore. Tracy wants a second chance to be an asset, in order to give back, by taking care of his family & community again. In the end, he has a refreshed perspective on life and looks forward to coming home!