Hi Joseph, This is the first transcription I have done for Between the Bars, so it's appropriate that I read your evocative piece about your first experiences in prison. You paint the contrast of the beauty of nature and the harshness of your prison environment really clearly. Elizabeth-Anne
I've got to admit I'm curious as to why this issue bothers you so much? I mean, sure I can understand thinking these people are stupid but your feelings seem to be a bit stronger than that! Just wondering if there's any particular reason? Best wishes, Elizabeth-Anne.
Hi Ronald - sounds like you are the victim of some drama at the moment. I'm new to this site so I'm not in the know about your previous letters and diaries - what is happening with the administration at your jail? It sounds pretty shoddy. You have some very ...
Hi Ronald, Wow, what a story. I am so very sorry that you have experienced such things. it sounds like your father is a very immature and pathetic person, who has caused much damage to you as well as other people in his life. I hope you don't still feel ...
"Who in their right mind would commit the foolish acts he did" SAH, your first post says that Jeremy is mentally ill. Do you think the way to prevent mentally ill people causing crime is to lock them up with and ensure that they are battered by other prisoners? Do ...
Hi Jeremy, Thanks for sending these - I think it's important that people see the ugly truth about what goes on behind bars. Sadly there are some who will always think that any criminal deserves what is coming to them, but I believe that in a decent society we should ...
SAH, At no point did I say people should not be incarcerated if they broke the law. However this post is about what is happening to man while *in* prison. He is already serving the time he has been sentenced to. Do you believe that any other treatment of him ...
I don't know this show, but surely the "foundation" of a story is how the human beings react to the situation, even if said situation is inaccurate? Isn't that a more important truth?
Hi Harlan, Very good points. Obama's acceptance speech made the case for just war, which I found chilling, as I would argue against either war he is involved in being 'just', at least not in the way they are being carried out (drones etc). You may be pleased to hear ...
Hi Randy, I've just finished transcribing your blog. To be honest it is a little hard to read, so I have left a few gaps, but still I can tell your account of your childhood is very evocative, in a poetic style. Thanks for sharing it. (The black pen was ...
Hi John, thanks for the blog post. I wonder if you have ever read any of the work of the so called "Carroll Myth" authors? This is a group of books that attempt to put the case against the mid 20th century perception of Carroll as a social misfit in ...
Hi Gary, thanks for your blog. You raise a really interesting and important issue that I hadn't considered before. Things move so quickly these days - I am 27 and started using the internet in 1999 and I forget that that span of 12 years or so could make up ...
Hi Mike, thanks for sharing this with us at BTB. I'm really sorry that you are estranged from your family, but I bet they haven't forgotten you. Sometimes it's just hard to keep in contact with someone when there is a lot of hurt concerned. But I really hope that ...
I John, I have a question about your post about a point I guess I just don't understand: why did you still leave with Sarah when you knew she had lied to you and wanted her mother dead? You went into the house and talked to her brother, when some ...
Hi John, Wow, I dread to think what a state I've made of your work with my transcription! I'm afraid your writing is quite small and doesn't always show up well on the scan plus obviously the subject matter is a hell of a task for the spell check! I ...
Hi Kenny, thanks for writing. It sounds like these women are incredibly brave to take such a difficult job, and should be given all the help they can get rather than being victimised in this way. Is there anything you think could help them with their situation?
Hi Jeremy, I can't know what situation you are in now, or how you will be when this comment finds you. I can only say that in one way at least you are not alone - we at BTB can read your words and feel for you. I know this ...
Hi Andy, your missive got here too late for the election I'm afraid. Plus I'm in the UK so, I'm useless to your cause. ANYWAY. If it's true about the one unsolvable crime, then it's pretty ironic that most people don't just commit one. It probably says something profound about ...
I've just finished the transcription for your post. Would you say then that America is currently guilty of as severe crimes as Nazi Germany, or worse? Personally I do not agree. I also don't agree with you that murder is a justifiable response to an ill. You say in your ...
Hi Joseph, I have just transcribed your essay. Thank you very much for writing it, I found it really interesting and informative. I look forward to hearing more of your story. Elizabeth-Anne (UK)
Hi Tyrone, thanks for writing. I have transcribed this and your essay on religion. It seems that you have some really valuable views to share, and have your head screwed on very well given your situation, which must be difficult. I agree with both your posts. Elizabeth-Anne (UK)
Hi Chris, thanks for writing. I've transcribed this and your other essays recently posted to BTB. I wanted to ask: what are your views on issues that Christ/the Gospels never touch on, such as homosexuality? Is it enough that a couple of lines elsewhere speak of them? As the Bible ...
Hi Andy, thanks for your reply! I understand how these things can be frustrating - I feel the same sometimes. Thanks for the holiday wishes - it is very cold here in the UK at the moment and I am wrapped up in a duvet typing this. Brr. Fingers crossed ...
Michael, I'm really flattered to get this amazing reply, to think that even a little I might have sparked some of the thoughts in this letter. You're right that you cannot change people's minds about the past, all you can do is change the future.
Thanks for your reply - I find a lot of this stuff hard to understand, having not been brought up with any sort of knowledge of religion, so I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and interpretation. Best wishes, Elizabeth-Anne
Hi Tyrone, Sorry for taking a couple of weeks to reply to you - I have been very busy, which makes me feel guilty as the people I owe replies to don't have the opportunity to be busy! I think you have a real skill for writing - do you ...
Hi Chris, thanks for your reply! Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I only used the example of Nazi Germany because this was something you mentioned in your original post. You can replace it with Mao or Stalin if you wish. :D I agree that it is strange ...
Hi Andy, Thanks for your reply - I'm so sorry it has taken me a while to send another message to you; it's been very busy for me lately. Actually apparently global warming means the UK will get colder and wetter. Typical. Quilt would be quite an old fashioned word ...
Hi Andy, Thanks for your message. I'm so sorry I haven't replied till now - my brain has been eaten by work and all I could think of during January was accountancy. Now THAT'S tragic. I really hope this still gets to you. I think The Hunger Games definitely has ...
Hi Jeremy, SO sorry I have just seen this and not replied before. I did have a very nice Christmas, thank you. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your words, and anyone on BTB who enters into a conversation - it's not just one way on ...
Hi Scot, I'm so sorry for taking so long to reply to you - I've just been so busy with work etc that I'm afraid I haven't wanted to check in to BTB only to rush my replies. I'm glad you liked the snatch of poetry. It's from Invictus by ...
Hi Marcus, That's quite a variety of questions! I did my best with some that I knew could be googled simply: 3) Health risks associated with soy: Soy allergy (common) Can trigger food intolerance May be a risk factor towards breast cancer May affect the brain's recovery from injury May ...
Hi Eric (or do you like to be called Wildcat?), I just finished transcribing your post - thanks for writing. It seems weird that tobacco is so much cheaper than other "treats" though I suppose you only need a small amount each time. I don't blame you for smoking in ...
Hi Marcus, Thanks for your letter. I'm glad my info was somewhat helpful! Why do they put so much soy in your meals? In answer to your questions: 1) My friend told me about the site - I don't know where she found out about it. I have a lot ...
Hi Marcus, Thanks for sharing your work. I think your concept is really interesting - we can build a relationship with the worst places if we're there for long enough.
Hi Kelly, thanks for writing. I am transcribing your letter from the United Kingdom, so you are read further afield than you think! Happy birthday for 5th October, sorry this only reached us on 14th, so it is a bit late!
Hi Kelly, Forgive my ignorance - is the hole solitary? US prisons seem pretty damn inhumane but I guess you know that already. I'm sorry you had to end Christmas Day like that! Hope you are avoiding psychos at the moment. Elizabeth-Anne
Hi Jeremy, thanks for writing. That is a weighty train of thought for early in the morning! Personally I do my best thinking late at night. I think maybe good and evil aren't so clear cut. What could be good in one situation would be evil in another. So those ...
Hi Marucs, Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts; I agree with what you say. Short term solutions are easier, but will lead to greater problems in the future. I think money is at the root of many of these problems - a rich man who commits a crime is ...
Hi Robert, Wow, thanks for such an interesting and unusual post here on BTB! British industrial history is a really fascinating topic, due to the fast amount of changes not just of technology but in voting, welfare and public health. It's sad that 'Luddite' has now become a word for ...
Hi Robert, Wow. Thank you so much for writing this incredibly powerful and eloquent peice. You and the people you speak of in this blog are truly an inspiration and a chastisement to many of us outside prison walls. "They think a murderer's heart would taint Each simple seed they ...
Hi Leon, I agree with you about the manufactured criticsm of Miley Cyrus, but aren't your perceptions of Taylor Swift from the mass media also? After all, we only have their reporting of the meaning behind her actions and songs. Elizabeth-Anne
Hi Shawn, Thanks for writing. I think it's short-sighted that prisoners can't be provided with better IT training, especially as many will face updated technologies when they leave prison. Obviously there are security concerns etc but it shouldn't be difficult to offer better resources with adequate restrictions. This could really ...
Hi Robert, That's a pretty big question! In answer to the first part - what do you think the 'essence' of a person is? When we're born, there's little about us that is set in stone. We don't have any thoughts, beliefs, feelings etc until they are taught us by ...
Hi Daniel, I'm sorry to hear you are not receiving replies from your family. Have you thought about being part of a pen-pal scheme etc? Although it doesn't seem the same as people you know on the outside, there are many people who would like to write to you and ...
Dear Jennifer, Thanks for writing. I think you make some really important points! But I think that the advice you give re. racism also applies to homosexuality - maybe if you asked your gay friends they would explain to you that things aren't always as simple as sexual acts or ...
Dear Michael, Once again, thank you for writing, and I hope this message reaches those who can assist you. By the forenoon And by the night when it darkens Your Lord (O Muhammad) has not forsaken you nor has he hated you. And indeed the future shall be better for ...
Hi Roland, thanks for writing. I enjoyed your last two poems a lot - they have really striking imagery. I'm sorry you're feeling so abandoned currently. I hope that in the future your family realise that you are aware of what you have done wrong and make an attempt to ...
Hi Timothy, thanks for writing. Your words and the story of Josh are very inspiring. I write this on Ash Wednesday, and hope that you have the change in Lent to explore your faith and be inspired further. Best wishes, Elizabeth
I'm not sure I have enough for a letter, just that it's usually not the case that people's sexuality is a result of those things. It's not my business so much a just a fact of life and science etc. People are 'born this way' as they say. But if ...
Dear Timothy, I am based in the UK so I am unsure of where I could best be of help, but please let me know if there is some way I can be. Best wishes, Elizabeth-Anne
Hi Linniell, thanks for writing. The text was a bit small in places so I hope I've managed to transcribe it correctly. I'm sorry to hear you seem to have been going through some especially difficult times, though I wasn't sure from your blog entry exactly what had happened. I ...
Dear Michael, Thank you for your reply, and please don't worry about the 'delay'! Obviously it is hard for you to reply as it is, and you have other things to be concerned with. I am glad that you are able to gain some understanding from your situation. Thank you ...
Dear Ronald, Good grief - bureaucracy, eh?! I don't know if this will help or even be relevent, but www.angelfire.com is a website used to host other sites, it's not any individual's own webpage. Your own address would be different. (I didn't even know it still existed until today, it's ...
Dear Ronald, Wow, this is really ridiculous. It's hard enough for people with 24/7 access to the internet to shut down websites completly, let alone ones that are now ghosts, with no one maintaining them any more. I personally have no idea what echoes I left over the internet when ...
Hi, I've just finished transcribing your writing for Between the Bars. I'm sorry for your troubles at work but it's really great that you have decided to get out of that bad situation and find a new position. I wish you all the best in it. I really enjoyed reading ...
Hi Nate, I enjoyed writing your story, and hope I've typed it up accurately. One suggestion - your tenses move around a little sometimes from past to present. Did you know the caste the washer girl is a member of is called Dalit?
Hi Jennifer, hope my transcription is all accurate for you. Solidarity from the UK with all your struggles and your legal fight for freedom. Your strength after so much ill-treatment is admirable.
Hi Johnny, Thank you very much for your post, and I hope my transcription is OK. I found your writing very interesting! I hope your "bad feeling" re. your friend was unfounded.
Hello again Johnny, and thanks for writing. I hope my transcription helps to keep you alive via pixels. Is there any way interested readers can help you with the cost of these typewriter ribbons?
Hi Jennifer, Thanks so much for this fantastic article! I really enjoyed transcribing it and learned a lot about the history of queer rights and rebellion within the US prison system (I am based in the UK). Solidarity with you and your sisters and good wishes for your efforts in ...
Hi Kelly, thanks for your extensive update. I hope I've transcribed it accurately! I hope you are able to get your property back at least. I write this just after the summer solstice in the UK and send you many blessings.