REAL TALK - THE VIEW OF A CONNECTICUT PRISONER Vol. 3 No. 3
By Richard Stevenson

GREETINGS, FREE WORLD!

Well, these mass shootings out in El Paso and Dayton have just occurred. I'd like to send out my condolences to all the families and friends affected by these incidents. Know that I am praying for you all. I'm so sorry for what you are going through. The moment you can raise your head, please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. Know that there are two shoulders here that you can rely on in any way you can think to use them.

Even in this place, you are loved.

I can't imagine what you are feeling, but I am here to listen should you need to express yourself to someone you may not know.

To all the white people in this country, please take this time to try and understand. Look at these people and understand the fear that we live in every day.

Remember the look we had on our faces when you said racism in this country had vastly declined? Remember the look on our faces when we said that we were pulled over or followed in the store because of the color of our skin? Remember all of the other indecencies we suffered because of the color of our skin and told you about only to be doubted?

We're not angry at you, per se. We are angry at the fear that we know we will have to continue to endure because so many of you look the other way. Ask us to help you understand so that we can put our heads together and come up with a viable solution.

It's as simple as this: Do what you can to make us feel like Americans. Whether we are or not.

Rich

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REAL TALK - THE VIEW OF A CONNECTICUT PRISONER Vol. 3 No. 4
By Richard Stevenson

GREETINGS, FREE WORLD!

Remember that new unit manager I told you guys a little while ago? You know, the one who would go out of his way to give prisoners hell because he has so much hatred for us just because we are prisoners?

Well, it turns out he caught a domestic violence charge against his wife a couple of months ago. In my opinion, he definitely is the type to take his work (abuse) home to his family. Just as he would bring his family life frustrations to work and take them out on us.

He was supposed to be nearing retirement. His first wife divorced him and is getting about half of his pension. Now his second wife is divorcing him and will be getting half of what's left. I'm 5'10", 250 lbs. This man is bigger than me. He smashed her in the face, among other things.

If that wasn't bad enough, here's the kicker: the DOC is helping him cover it up because now he can't afford to retire and needs to keep working. His criminal case is sealed (covered up), and it appears he has been getting a diversionary program called Accelerated Rehabilitation. All he has to do is complete a domestic violence course and stay out of trouble for a period of time, and his record will be wiped clean. He'll then get his firearms back.

Since the public doesn't have access to his record, no one will be the wiser (except you).

One reason this state has such a high recidivism rate is because people like this person are allowed to serve as examples. I'm sure this lady would like to get the word out about what is happening here at Cheshire Correctional Facility, but she is likely too afraid to do so.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE?

Rich