Two young men recently asked me, “What gang are you in?” “I’m in a one-man gang,” I said. “The Norman gang.” I am an “old-timer.” The fact that I have survived over 36 years in Florida’s worst prisons without compromising my [...]
As I stared at the cell phone screen prompting me to register and start to build my own Facebook page, what was shining back at me was the light of opportunity. I had already done the impossible. Even I couldn't believe [...]
In my 21 years of incarceration I have seen every hustle that you can think of- from smuggling hot pockets to cell phones, to selling ass to selling cash. And if it wasn't nailed down then it was up for grabs. [...]
This is a look at prison life from both sides of the glass. I am a former corrections officer, now serving a 7-year sentence. I used to be employed by a private corrections provider. I worked for 3 years as an [...]
I’m in the Hobby Unit in Texas and my view on things is crazy but very realistic. It’s like someone picked a bunch of convicts from different walks of life and said we’re going to place them here. They just brought [...]
“Man, this shit is loose up there. One of these bitches is gonna go, but I think it might have to be a white guy.” I can still remember my friend Drew’s face when he said those words to me, [...]
BY HANOI ACOSTA The loud banging of the tray slot, otherwise known as the cuff port, awakens me at precisely 7:04 am. Breakfast is here. It’s late though, because it usually arrives between 5:30 and 6 o’clock in the morning. Something [...]