Ex-Con Built Fake Prison Cell To Help Keep Kids Out Of Jail

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Some lessons just can't be learned from a textbook; so, on Friday, an unforgettable message was delivered to students in the south suburbs, with the help of a powerful prop.

Omar Yamini speaks from experience; as he stands inside a fake prison cell, he reminisces on what life was like behind the real prison, and he does it in front of hundreds of students, with one goal in mind.

"To do everything humanly possible to keep our young people from ever stepping inside of a prison cell," he said.

Yamini was convicted of first-degree murder when he was just 20 years old.

"I was sentenced to 30 years in prison, had to do 15; 15 straight years, and I didn't pull the trigger," he said.

He wasn't the shooter, but was considered an accomplice; a lesson he feels is critical for kids in this age.

"This is where we lose them," he said. "That is the essence of everything I do. I want young people to understand that that company you keep is real."

That's exactly what students took away after hearing Yamini speak on Friday at Thornwood High School in South Holland.

"It is important to see it, so you won't be in that situation," 6th grader Jada Lee said.

Tela Randle, an incoming freshman, said "It shows us that that's not the place we want to be in the future."

Yamini also wrote a book "What's Wrong With You!" after being released from prison in 2011, and it's now a part of the curriculum at Thornton Township High Schools District 205. He's hoping to do the same in other major districts, like the Chicago Public Schools. In south holland, sandra torres, cbs 2 news.

He also has started a non-profit called "Determined to be UpRight," which is raising funds via gofundme to continue their efforts and keep kids out of prison.