I Need Your Help

-I Need Your Help-

“Brett, anytime you’re scared just remember you have people.”

These were the comforting words my now good friend Mr. Wolf said to me when I first arrived in prison. At that moment, he was telling me that he had my back in case anyone ever tried to “come at me” during my prison journey.

His words meant the world to me at the time. I had just left my wonderful wife Noel and my beautiful children Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion. Mr. Wolf gave me the priceless gift of friendship when I needed it most. Prison is a very dark place, and Mr. Wolf really helped me adjust to my new, surreal surroundings. Being sent to the same federal prison as Mr. Wolf has been a true blessing.

Ok, so here is where I need your help. Mr. Wolf has been very inspired by my prison journey. He has been taking huge steps to become a better father, brother, son, and neighbor. Recently, Mr. Wolf took a massive step forward and sent a letter to his local newspaper. Friendly reminder: Mr. Wolf lives on a small Native American reservation, and that is also the place where his crime was committed.

In his letter, he expresses his remorse, takes full responsibility for his actions, acknowledges the pain and devastation his poor decisions created, outlines all the ways he is using his time in prison productively, and shares his plans to be a contributing member of society upon his release. I’m very, very, very proud of my friend for facing his shame. That is NOT an easy thing to do. However, I’m also nervous for him because I’m not sure how his previous community will respond. Mr. Wolf even admitted to me that this letter might open up “old scabs.”

Mr. Wolf was there for me when I was scared, vulnerable, and alone. Now I would love to return the favor.

I want Mr. Wolf to know that
“HE HAS PEOPLE THAT ARE PRAYING FOR HIM, HIS FAMILY, THE VICTIM’S FAMILY, AND HIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY.”

If you feel it on your heart, please reply back to Noel and share some simple words of encouragement for Mr. Wolf and his entire community. Feel free to send over any prayer you have for his letter and his life.

We need to lift this letter up to Jesus and prepare the hearts of everyone from his old home. Only Jesus can heal this type of pain and hurt. It is complicated, but I know something beautiful can come from the mess. God can be glorified in the process.

Again, I hate being in prison and want to be home with my family. But I’m honored to come alongside Mr. Wolf as he prepares to face his biggest fears.

Mr. Wolf, I’m proud of you, my friend, and I will always have your back.

Thank you for letting me share these stories with all of you.

I’m telling you—God is doing some incredible things over here.

Love all of you,
Brett

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

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

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