Dear Jack, I'm glad you're getting closer to getting out. I hope you're excited to get out, too. Is there at least a vague estimation of your release date? Do you have any plans for when you get out? As for community college classes, I'm going to take it really slow. I have pretty bad social anxiety and I dropped out of high school because of mental illness and physical chronic illness, so I'll probably just start with one or two classes. I really want to take an American Sign Language (ASL) class. I already know some ASL, but I want to know it fluently. I don't know anybody who uses it, but I just kind of feel like... There's a whole culture of people in America that use a beautiful language that I at least want to be able to understand. Also, I never know when sign language might come in handy, you know? No pun intended. I've been really productive and studying for the GED tests a lot, which is nice! I've also even been lifting weights and working out, which I pretty much never do. It's funny because my world is kind of collapsing around me (my parents are getting divorced and my mom is really not taking it well, and my sister has been kind of self destructive), but I'm really thriving. I almost feel kind of guilty, honestly. What's with the PREA for sexual harassment? I don't mean to pry for details and I won't judge you either way, but were you the sexual harasser or the one that was sexually harassed? Again, I won't judge, I'm just concerned for you. A lot is changing in the world, in both of our worlds at least. I think they're for better, too. As always, I hope you have a wonderful day and a wonderful month (or however long it will take until I can get your response). -Grace
Hello, my name is Gillian, and I am researching to publish an essay about the systematic racism in the prison system. I’ve worked with non-profits to uncover specific issues in the prison system that we can work to alleviate. I wanted to reach out and ask if you would be interested in answering some questions about what you’ve experienced. I know this may be a sensitive topic, so please if answer where you feel comfortable. If you want to describe events but feel the need to use “Jane/John Doe,” please do. Your name will not be used.
What is your race/ethnicity? What age were you when you first enter the prison system? If you don’t mind me asking, what was the first crime you committed to put you behind bars? Were you given a cash bond? How many times were you in and released from jail? What prison are you in now? I.e. max security, death row, etc. Are you treated differently in the facility than those of other race/ethnicities? How are your friends treated? Do you know anyone of a different race who has committed the same crime as you, but has a different sentence?
Thank you for your time. I really hope that this publication can shed some light on the systematic racism in the justice system. I want to use my career to helping those who feel left behind by the government, and your answers could be the first step in helping someone else.
hey homeboy just checking up on you have not heard from you in a minute..i hope all is well. ive got mad love for you bro keep your head up and always know you always have my
That was a beautiful poem. Very moving and passionate. Hope you are doing well in that place. I cant even begin to image how it would feel like. To have no control over what you do. I hope that you are going to get out soon and make better decisions with your life. Keep the Lord close. God bless you. Katherine, just a girl from a small town in ohio who just happened to stumble upon this blog
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I'm glad you're getting closer to getting out. I hope you're excited to get out, too. Is there at least a vague estimation of your release date? Do you have any plans for when you get out?
As for community college classes, I'm going to take it really slow. I have pretty bad social anxiety and I dropped out of high school because of mental illness and physical chronic illness, so I'll probably just start with one or two classes. I really want to take an American Sign Language (ASL) class. I already know some ASL, but I want to know it fluently. I don't know anybody who uses it, but I just kind of feel like... There's a whole culture of people in America that use a beautiful language that I at least want to be able to understand. Also, I never know when sign language might come in handy, you know? No pun intended.
I've been really productive and studying for the GED tests a lot, which is nice! I've also even been lifting weights and working out, which I pretty much never do. It's funny because my world is kind of collapsing around me (my parents are getting divorced and my mom is really not taking it well, and my sister has been kind of self destructive), but I'm really thriving. I almost feel kind of guilty, honestly.
What's with the PREA for sexual harassment? I don't mean to pry for details and I won't judge you either way, but were you the sexual harasser or the one that was sexually harassed? Again, I won't judge, I'm just concerned for you.
A lot is changing in the world, in both of our worlds at least. I think they're for better, too. As always, I hope you have a wonderful day and a wonderful month (or however long it will take until I can get your response).
-Grace
What is your race/ethnicity?
What age were you when you first enter the prison system?
If you don’t mind me asking, what was the first crime you committed to put you behind bars?
Were you given a cash bond?
How many times were you in and released from jail?
What prison are you in now? I.e. max security, death row, etc.
Are you treated differently in the facility than those of other race/ethnicities?
How are your friends treated?
Do you know anyone of a different race who has committed the same crime as you, but has a different sentence?
Thank you for your time. I really hope that this publication can shed some light on the systematic racism in the justice system. I want to use my career to helping those who feel left behind by the government, and your answers could be the first step in helping someone else.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Gillian
LOVE/LOYALTY/RESPECTS coming your way full blast