March 25, 2018

Prison Evolution

by Steve J. Burkett (author's profile)

Transcription

Prison Evolution
3-1-18

I myself am not a follower or open to being used by anyone. I've been locked up for awhile now and more than a few times. What I have to say is the evolution of convicts in California's prisons disgust me because prisoners have relinquished power for the illusion of being accepted by the very guards that are there to keep them down.

All of a sudden, lifelong criminals (Don+Gene) and gang members fancy the idea of being cool with the guards, some even believing they're friends. The guards take classes on how to use prisoners. The guards use prisoners' influence, status, and their ignorance to do everything from inviting ongoing incidents of violence against other convicts and to hustle contraband. In everyday conversation, prisoners relinquish information about everything. In exchange for perks like a false sense of freedom from being out of the cell all day or some advanced notice of a search. Feeding that illusion of self-importance and belonging. They actually believe because of some relationships in which the guard relies on them for information, they are special and somehow better than their fellow prisoners, even going so far as to compete maliciously for officials' acceptance.

While what I describe may have been going on for sometime now, currently it has reached a point where it is some kind of fad. More apparent and open. Today it seems to be the norm. In my day, these inmates were known as rats.

Don't drink the water here. It does something to your brain.

Steve

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