Character Analysis

Project 2

Maliyah Benson and Peyton Hampton

Mr. Ward

Maliyah’s Character:

Age: 30

Name: Aksel Gjurd ​"peace of the father" and “godfrida”, which means good and peace.

Born: January 15th, 1977

Incarcerated for: Drug trafficking.

Spouse: Bente Gjurd: Blessed

Children: Qiana: Soft, silky and Lachie: Land filled wiht lakes

Parents: Aksel had both of his parents in his life. Gladys Gjurd and Keenet Gjurd.

Childhood: Grew up in Oslo and went to prison in Halden.

Adulthood: Aksel dealt with depression in his young adult life. He turned to cannabis when he

was 28.

Details about the arrest: Was caught dealing cannabis with another person in 2018. Sentenced for

4 years. Served 2 years present day.

Peyton Chara. Analy.

Name: Jessie Timmy Thomas

Age: 27

Born: New York, Cooperstown

Prison: Riker Island

Spouse: Long term girlfriend of 5 years

Children: 3 children with other women

Parents: Deceased

Mother - died from a drug overdose

Franks Thomas Father - Died from gang violence

Childhood:

- Jessie’s father was his mother's drug dealer when they were young teens.

- Jesse's father started a gang that would break into houses to retrieve money to make/ buy

more drugs.

- Frank sold marijuana at first, but when Lydia got pregnant he started selling cocaine and

meth to play with Frank.

- During Lydia's pregnancy, she tested out new strains of cocaine/meth that Frank was

selling.

- Jessie was Born drug addicted.

Teenage years:

- When Jessie was 14 years old he joined his father's gang.

- He stated using methamphetamines shortly after

- The gang ruled several blocks in the neighborhood and became increasingly more violent
 - For the first year, he was a runner and helped to facilitate drug sales in the wealthier

town, Hidden Hides

- At the age of 15, he was sent to a juvenile detention center for drug-addicted kids for 6

months.

- 4 months later (16) he was sent to the same detention center for simple assault and got 2

years because he thought his then girlfriend was cheating

Adulthood:

- To cope with the mental stress of being in jail as a teenager, Jessie became an alcoholic

and got caught driving drugs without a license.

- He was also an extremely active member of the local gang started by his father.

- In his younger years, Jessie only robbed lower income houses but as he got older be

wanted to go after houses that were more expensive

- He and a couple of his fellow gang member went over to the town hidden hides to rob

one of the smaller homes

- Details about the arrest: At the age of 24 he was charged with an aggravated burglary in

the first degree. He burglarised the house with a handgun which was classified as a class

B felony. Jessie knew that he tripped a silent alarm with a hidden camera and the cops we

called and he was caught in the act. Jessie is facing 14 years but 10 for good behavior.

- Present day: Jessie as already served 3 years

 (A) First Letter:

- Introducing themselves. (Name, age)

- Have any kids?

- Spouse

- Life after jail +interests

(J) First Letter:

- Answer all questions

- How long you are in for./ How long do you have

- Detail what life is like in jail for Jessie (Jessie talks says that he feels like an animal)

- Comment on Axel's interests/life plans

- Talk about his own interests

(A) Second Letters:

- Answer all questions

- T​ell Axel about his prison experience (He talks about all of the ementy that are offered at

Norwegian prisons)

- Aksel talks about the rumors that he heard about american prisons and asks if it true

(J) Second letter

- Jesseie comments on Axel’s prison experience

- Confirms about the rumor American jails.

- Jessie talks about his mental health issues (I don't know what i can do to escape)
 - Talk about his childhood and what lead him into this lifestyle

(A) Third Letter

- Gives his feeling about American prisons

- Talks about the philosophy of Norwegian prisons

- Attempts to give a “pep talk” to encourage Jessie to keep going + brings up Jessie's kids

and how he wants to be back in their lives

- Tells Jesse that he is going to be released from prison soon and most likely will be gone

by the time Jessie letter come back

(J) Third Letter

- Jessie talks abouts how he wrote the letter quickly

- He thanks Axle for all of the help that he gave

- Gives real aspirations for life after prison

- Promises that he will do better and stay out of jai