Imagine standing in a cold, stark prison cell, the weight of a 240 month sentence hanging over you like a dark cloud. For Jerry Durand, that moment was surreal, almost like a bad dream. He recalls the shock washing over him when he first heard his sentence, thinking it was a typo. The confident investor who had once traded foreign currency was now facing a reality that felt impossible to comprehend.
But it was during this time, surrounded by walls and silence, that Jerry began to redefine his understanding of life and freedom. Growing up as the only son among seven sisters in Southern Minnesota, Jerry’s early life was marked by simplicity and hardship. They lived without running water until he was twelve, a fact that shaped his perspective on life. Attending a one room country school, he often reflects on how those formative years provided him with a solid foundation.
His love for numbers blossomed early on, leading him to a path where he would eventually find himself navigating the complexities of investing and trading. After graduating high school, he briefly attended Arizona State University before transferring to the University of Minnesota to pursue a business degree. However, the turning point in Jerry’s life came when the weight of expectations from his investors became too much to bear. The financial world he had once thrived in took a dark turn, leading to his legal troubles and ultimately to prison.
The next nearly nine years of his life were spent adapting to an environment that was entirely foreign to him. It was a humbling experience, one that required a sense of humor just to cope. He faced not only the challenges of incarceration but also the emotional toll of losing family members during his time behind bars. As we often learn, it is in our most challenging moments that we discover who we truly are.
For Jerry, prison became a crucible for change. He learned the importance of humor and resilience, lessons that shifted his priorities. The experience stripped away the superficial layers of life, revealing the true value of freedom and personal connections. He began to understand that life could be both fragile and beautiful, a lesson that would shape his future.
Jerry’s journey took a surprising turn when COVID 19 played an unexpected role in his release after serving nearly nine years. This moment, he reflects, was a new beginning. Out of the confines of prison, Jerry found himself reinvigorated, with a renewed sense of purpose. He began to channel his experiences into something creative developing a game called “Prison Land.” This project aims to provide players with a glimpse into the realities of prison life, a way to share his story and help others confront their fears and challenges.
One of the key moments in Jerry’s life was realizing that his experiences could serve a greater purpose. Through his game, he hopes to connect with people who may feel trapped in their own lives, whether by circumstance or by their own fears. He wants to inspire them to see that change is possible, that life can take unexpected turns, and that every experience, no matter how difficult, can lead to growth. Reflecting on his journey, Jerry emphasizes the importance of human connection and the lessons learned during his time in prison.
He believes that everyone has the capacity to rise above their circumstances, to find meaning even in the darkest times. His story is one of embracing life fully, recognizing that every moment holds the potential for change and understanding. As we listen to Jerry’s story, we are reminded that our paths may not always be linear, but each twist and turn can lead us to unexpected destinations. His journey from a dirt poor farm boy to a man who faced prison, and now creates games to help others, is a powerful narrative of finding purpose in our experiences.
It’s a call to embrace our stories, however messy they may be, and to use them as a bridge to connect with others who may be struggling. In the end, it’s about more than survival, it’s about thriving and helping others along the way.