The Novelist Portent
Johnny E. Mahaffey
July 15, 2018
PRISONER SUMMER SUN AND GOOD TIMES
The last time I—or any of us—have seen the sun was on April 14th!
April 14th!
The guys in here have a lot of pent up energy. Everyone is on edge and on the verge of a fight. Even here in the "character" dorm. What they need is to get outside, in the sun, on the REC field. Things like basketball and handball (racquetball without racquets) lets the guys blow off steam. They come back inside tired and fighting is the last thing on their minds.
This has been one fun summer.
Nothing but negative outlooks all around. The state claims that there is no low morale among SC prisoners and, in a way, they're right. There's no morale at all! These guys have absolutely nothing going for them. No hope. No parole eligibility except for specific crimes! No job training. No schooling. Nothing. Prisoners are just warehoused. Siting inside the buildings, staring at the walls all day. In most building they never even get to leave their cells.
Why act surprised when they act out? If you cage a dog and mistreat it, feed it slop, it will eventually snap. Maybe even bite. Because at some point, it'll get fed up with the crap and snap back. It's nature, self-preservation. Humans will do it too.
You have to have compassion, empathy for all living creatures. Incarceration is a serious thing and how it's handled needs to change. There's a book EVERYONE should read:
PRISON PROFITEERS: Who Makes Money From Mass Incarceration
Edited by T. Herivel and P. Wright
Prisoners aren't asking for much—just to be considered human.
M.
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