About the Author
Todd L. Cook is the author of two books, written from Nebraska State Penitentiary where he has been serving a life sentence for felony murder since 1995. Being sentenced to no possibility of parole for a crime that took place only 54 days after turning 18, hope was certainly in short supply. After years of living without direction, unable to come to terms with both the devastating consequences of his actions and the new reality that he was facing, he eventually found guidance in studying psychology and being able to understand some of the reasons for his inability to deal with life as a kid and into adolescence.
His mission now in life is to do something great, to give back, and to make up for the harm that he's caused. He believes that telling his story is a step in that direction; to help people avoid hurting others as well as themselves through destructive behaviors that lead to tragedy and heartbreak for all involved.
As a result, he has written Lessons Learned: From Playground to Penitentiary (available now); and Convict Logic: From Leadership to a Better Life (available early 2024). These books take you into the mind of a man who has studied criminal thought processes from the inside out. He has served more than 30 years of incarceration, with just nine months as a free person since he was 15 years old. His life is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination which proves that the failures of our youth do not define us into adulthood.
As well as writing and publishing his work, his time inside has seen him earn his paralegal diploma and an associate of science degree in business. He graduated valedictorian from the Defy Ventures entrepreneurship program, and is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in business administration,
In 2020 he co-founded the non-profit Nebraskans for Prison Reform, and in 2023 took up the elected position of President of Nebraska’s Circle of Concerned Lifers. Through these avenues, he works to educate those with the power to enact change on common sense solutions to Nebraska’s ongoing prison crisis and provide hope for those who have genuinely rehabilitated and deserve a second chance.
In His Own Words
I grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, and found myself in trouble with the law early on. My inability to deal with adverse childhood experiences resulted in an overwhelming desire for acceptance and created a destructive path, leading to a life without parole sentence by the age of 18.
See, I was born with a cleft lip and palate. This made me different because I had a scar on my lip and my teeth were messed up. Kids are mean sometimes and I got picked on and bullied. It made me angry, and it hurt because I had no idea why they were being mean to me. I found that by drinking and doing drugs, along with other crazy stuff, I was accepted, even 'cool' at times, and the life of the party. Acceptance was my only pursuit, and nothing would stand in my way. ‘Family’ became another word for ‘nuisance’ and my friends became the most important part of my life. I sacrificed everything to be a part of the 'in crowd' and, ultimately, I cost someone else their life in the process.
Nothing I have done, or will do in the future, will ever make up for the harm that I've caused. It is impossible to repair or replace the loss of life. I'm responsible for that and I am deeply ashamed, devastated, and remorseful for the destruction I've created. It is my mission in life to do as much good as I have done bad, in an effort to reduce my debt; although it is one that I will never be able to repay.
Sharing my experiences in both Lessons Learned and Convict Logic is in line with my mission. I want to try and help those coming behind me to see what not to do, so they can spare themselves and the victims they would create. I'm not perfect and I'm speaking from a place of complete failure, so maybe you question why you'd hear me out. The fact that I've failed so miserably as a child lets me see where I came from, what I went through, and where I want to be. In my extreme devastation, I'm hopeful that you will see a better path. If you do, I'm on my way to making meaning out of madness and I thank you for providing me with that opportunity.