Rich Jinks AKA "RICH MAN" is now fifty-two years old. At age of two, his mother committed suicide which left him and his three year old brother to be raised by his grandparents both of whom were handicap. At age eight his grandmother pasted away, shortly afterward the department of human services removed him and brother from the home. Though he would be adopted twice more, he would spend most of his youth in state custody in the form of orphanages, group homes, and juvenile institutions. At age 18, while in jail waiting to go into the prison system, for a three years sentence as the passenger of a stolen car, he was involved in an altercations. One of many, but this one cause him to receive an additional six year sentence. Nevertheless, after four years and two months was released at age 22. Over the next three and a half months, he was arrested several times for weapons, robberies and shootings. At this point, he was denied a bond and ultimately sentenced 220 months in federal prison. Two year into his sentence a suicide attempt put Mr. Jinks in acoma for five days. And it was at that moment as he explains it, that he had epiphany. Mr. Jinks now no longer a victim but a sexual assault survivor became proactive. He filed law suits siting official abuse, he worked with various groups to quell violence, to create unity, and encourage self-development. He received his GED and received state and national certification as a Computer Operator, in Horticulture, and Upholstery Technology. And helped facilitate food service program where he received an Apprenticeship as Cook from the U.S. Department of Labor. He was released at age 39, he got married at age 43 and has three step sons.
