Birthday Thank You

January 21, 2026

-Birthday Thank You-

THANK YOU!!!

I mean those two simple words from the deepest depths of my soul. Your heartfelt birthday wishes made me UGLY CRY in a crowded prison computer room. I’m pretty sure the hardened criminals who surround me on a daily basis now think I’m a giant SALLY who sobs WWWAAAYYY too often.

That’s okay though—I like to FEEL the outside world. Your “Happy Birthdays” brought me HOME mentally and spiritually for a day. THANK YOU for this priceless birthday gift.

I promise to continue proving worthy of your overflowing love and support. It’s honestly crazy how much purpose has been birthed out of this pit people call prison. Our God continues to turn the mess I created into a healing miracle.

I’m in awe of our Great Redeeming God and filled with gratitude for the grace and mercy that has been given to me. THANK YOU for believing in this broken man. I draw endless strength from your constant words of encouragement.

I hope you know that YOU are making a massive impact on my barbed wire brothers. Because of YOU, they believe people with a “past” can work to reconcile with society and find their God-given purpose WHILE in prison.

THANK YOU for bringing the heart of Jesus to my broken brothers.

I’m honestly not sure how many more birthdays I’ll be celebrating behind barbed wire. But one thing I am certain of is this…

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE DARK ABYSS OF FEDERAL PRISON!!!

These hurting men need us—and they are worthy of a God-given purpose because of the blood of Jesus.

I miss all of you so much, and I dream of the day I can receive a happy birthday hug from you in person.

Be warned though… I will 100% be UGLY CRYING when I reach in for the BIGGEST BRETT HUG you have ever received.

Love you,
Brett
(A beyond blessed 40-year-old federal prisoner, father, husband, & friend)

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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 2

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

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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

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Birthday Thank You