"AWIGHT"

-AWIGHT-

"Hey Brett, two guys got in a fight last night and one of them got st***ed." 

My response, "AWIGHT." 

"Yo Brett, tomorrow we are going to get shook down and inspected."

My reply, "AWIGHT." 

"Brett our buildings water is getting shut off again. This sucks."

My answer, "AWIGHT." 

"Ummm Brett, those two guys over there are spreading a rumor that you are a child mol***er and that is why you got so much time." 

My simple statement, "AWIGHT." 

In prison the word "AWIGHT" means "no big deal," or "let it go," or "relax,it's gonna be ok." 

Mr. Wolf taught me that serving time in prison can get really frustrating and difficult sometimes. He told me there will be a lot of things out of my control. 

I have observed Mr.Wolf in prison. He is an expert at focusing on the things he CAN control and "letting go" of the things he CAN'T control. Day after day I watch other prisoners lose their minds over the smallest things. But NOT Mr. Wolf, he stands there like a stoic statue as chaos and uncertainty surrounds him. I always hear Mr.Wolf saying "AWIGHT"...."AWIGHT"...."AWIGHT"

I really admire and respect Mr.Wolf. I'm honored to call him a friend. His calm nature is refreshing in a place that breeds anxiety. I'm beyond thankful for his guidance and encouragement during my prison journey.

Before starting my journey into federal prison I promised my judge and prosecutor I would use my time in federal prison productively. I'm honestly not sure they believed me. That's "AWIGHT." 

I WILL follow through with my promise. I know the only way to stay productive in prison is to focus on the things I CAN control and let go of the things I can NOT. 

Things I CAN control:

-Dedicating time every single day to write my wonderful wife Noel and tell her how incredibly proud I am of her. I'm constantly in awe of Noel's hard work and tenacity. I know I'm blessed to call her my wife. 

-Constantly communicating with my precious children Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion. I always want them to know that their dad loves them and I'm working hard to return home to them. They need to know they are cherished. Expressing love for my kids every single day is in my control. 

-Spending my free time studying books from Jean Donaldson so I can become a better dog trainer. I'm very hopeful I can start a new and respectable career as a dog trainer when I return home from prison. Training Mr.Conrad has been such a fun and rewarding experience. I have a lot to learn about dog training but I'm dedicated to the journey. 

-I will NOT EVER participate in any prison "hustles" or "gambling."
-I will NOT EVER look at pornography in prison (or outside of prison.) Noel is my queen and still the hottest person I have ever met. I'm excited to get home to my wife someday. I'm a very lucky man;) 
-I will NOT EVER pass my prison time by eating junk food and developing unhealthy habits. I can use my time in prison to get healthy and return to my family better than I left them. I have already lost 20lbs in prison and feel healthy than ever. 
-I will NOT EVER steal or cheat in prison. This is a epidemic in prison. I made my Cambria a promise to be honest and truthful. I promised her I would be an example to other dads here. I WILL follow through with my promise to my daughter. 

All of the things I listed above are in my control. Prison has increased my ability to maintain a disciplined and intentional schedule. I will use my time in prison productively and make my family proud. Knowing that I'm honoring Noel, Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion gives me strength on the hard days. 

Please know there are some days I wake up in prison and have to find strength to take on the day. It is NOT easy but it is worth it. On the especially tough days I make sure to focus on the fact that Jesus died on the cross for a man like me. He died so my sins could be forgiven. I do not take this lightly and never will again. As a federal prisoner I understand what it means to be FORGIVEN, to be given a second chance at life. 

Jesus is the real reason everything is going to be "AWIGHT." 

Love all of you and thank you for surrounding my family with so much love.

Sincerely,
Brett (A.K.A. Tiger Hoods)

 

-A Quick Note From Brett's Wife, Noél-

It has been 7 months since my husband surrendered to prison. Two months into Brett’s prison sentence, I unexpectedly lost my job. Fear and panic pulsed through my entire body. I was suddenly an unemployed mom to four little ones with a husband who is incarcerated thousands of miles away from us.

Normally, in times like these Brett is my rock and my person I turn to when crisis hits our family. But, unfortunately right now, he is locked in a federal prison and I am left facing this extreme financial crisis alone. The thought of carrying it all by myself has been paralyzing.

As this new reality has set in, I have felt the overwhelming cloud of depression and anxiety surround me, and pain I would not wish upon my worst enemy. 

THANKFULLY, at my absolute lowest point, people like you have stepped in to pick me up off the ground. You have surrounded me, Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion with the utmost love, kindness, and support.

From the bottom of my heart:
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
You’ve helped save me and my family.

I’m doing everything humanly possible to:

-Rebuild our financial situation and create stability for our family

-Homeschool my kids 

-Keep our little family afloat until Brett can come home

All this is not easy and is a constant exhausting juggle, but I’m determined to overcome this massive obstacle and show my kids what their momma is made of.

So many of you have offered to send a financial “gift.” Each generous gift truly helps us:

-Stay in our home

-Catch up on overdue bills

-Create some stability for my kids in this storm

 

There is absolutely no pressure. But, if this is something that is on your heart to help please send your financial "gift" to any of my following accounts. 

-Venmo: @NoelBartlett 

-Zelle: influenceinnovations@gmail.com

-PayPal: influence innovations LLC  https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/RUWMFZF7X6J4Q

-Cash App: @noeldbartlett

This is a VERY vulnerable time in our journey. But I am in awe of the people God has brought into our lives and am truly so beyond grateful.

I promise to work hard every single day to provide for my children and get my husband (Brett) back home to us.

Thank you for helping to heal and save our family.

With love, extreme gratitude, and blessings,
Noél

 

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
I, Noél Bartlett, am committed to following all applicable Federal Bureau of Prisons policies and procedures while sharing, documenting, and memorializing our family’s prison journey and the letters and manuscripts Brett sends to me.
For complete clarity, I alone am the owner, operator, publisher, and financial beneficiary of Proud Prison Wives and this website. I am also the sole publisher and beneficiary of any books or other works published through Proud Prison Wives, including SPEAK DOG, SHATTER YOUR SHAME, and any future manuscript of Brett’s that I independently choose to edit, develop, and publish.
Brett is currently incarcerated in federal prison. He does not own, operate, manage, or conduct business through Proud Prison Wives, nor does he receive any financial benefit from the publication, sale, or promotion of these books, letters, manuscripts, or website content.
I am incredibly proud to take my husband’s raw letters and manuscripts and transform them into beautiful, meaningful books that allow others to witness his journey and cheer him forward as he chooses to use his time in prison productively.
Brett and I also take the safety, security, and privacy of the institution extremely seriously. In the letters and manuscripts he sends me—and in the material I ultimately choose to publish—identifying details may be intentionally changed, combined, omitted, or rearranged. This may include characters, conversations, events, timelines, locations, and other details in order to protect the privacy of staff, fellow incarcerated individuals, and the institution itself.
The heart and spirit of Brett’s writing are based on his lived experiences, but these writings should not be interpreted as a literal, chronological, or identifying account of daily institutional life. Some details of Brett’s experience will simply have to wait until he has fully completed his obligations to the Department of Justice.
Again, I, Noél Bartlett, am fully committed to respecting and following applicable Bureau of Prisons policies and procedures. I consider it a privilege to preserve our family’s story, document this chapter of Brett’s life, and share the good that can still come from an incredibly difficult season.
Thank you for reading, supporting our family, and respecting the purpose and boundaries behind what we share.
— Noél Bartlett
Owner & Publisher, Proud Prison Wives

Shatter Your Shame- Sneak Peek

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 1

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 1

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 2

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 2

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 3

Shatter Your Shame, Chapter 3

Shatter Your Shame is NOW AVAILABLE

Brett and I are so excited (and honestly still a little in awe) to officially announce

Shatter Your Shame is LIVE on the site.

This book was written inside a federal prison—on random pieces of scratch paper, with a dull pencil, behind razor-sharp barbed wire and an electrified fence. What started as handwritten prison letters has turned into a powerful testimony of redemption, responsibility, faith, and purpose.

Shatter Your Shame is for anyone who carries the weight of their past, the burden of regret, or the quiet pain of shame—and is ready to see how God redeems what the world calls broken.

Brett writes with raw honesty about the worst decisions of his life, the consequences that followed, and the miraculous way God met him in the pit of prison and transformed his shame into purpose. These are one-of-a-kind prison stories that will help you heal, rise, and walk forward unchained.

(Perfect for small groups, book clubs, churches, or gifting to someone who needs hope.)

Every order directly supports me and my 4 beautiful children during this season Brett is away.

This journey hasn’t been easy. Prison is heavy. Shame is heavy. But God is proving—once again—that He specializes in turning massive messes into healing miracles.

Thank you for believing in redemption.
Thank you for supporting our family.
Thank you for helping us share this message with the world.

With so much love,
Noél

Shop Now

SPEAK DOG is NOW AVAILABLE

Speak Dog is not your average dog-training book. It is a testimony, a powerful blend of storytelling, breakthrough psychology, and the real-life prison puppy training program that God used to transform countless lives, including Brett’s, and our family’s.

This book carries redemption on every page. It shows what God can do with a broken man, a hurting dog, and a second chance. It’s hope, healing, laughter, purpose, and breakthrough all wrapped into one unforgettable journey.

I am SO beyond excited for everyone to get their hands on this book and experience the same heart-shifting, faith-building transformation that we did.

Shop Now