After spending 3 years in a medium security Ohio prison, a friend of mine once asked me if the time spent there had institutionalized me. At the time my idea of what it meant to be institutionalized consisted of simply forming [...]
After spending over five years in solitary confinement, I have finally come to realize that solitary confinement is known torture -- and the prisoners aren’t the only ones who know this. There have been extensive studies that have shown that lengthy [...]
Simple communication could prevent so much trouble in prison. It is my experience that guards do not communicate with inmates effectively or at all. Guards seem to have a mindset that information is a privileged precious commodity and inmates aren’t allowed [...]
I always wanted a boob job. In all my years as a stripper, drug addict and a prostitute, my first big dream was to have my breasts done and really make some money. I mean that’s what life is about, big [...]
BY DANIEL HARRIS The antisocial behavior of criminals is a symptom of a deeper illness that is not only the cause of crime but also the driving force behind untreated recidivism. The stated goal of incarceration should be treatment that changes [...]
BY JERMON CLARK Walking into Receiving and Discharging for the first time, I felt what seemed to be a million butterflies bouncing off the inside of my stomach. Here I was, an 18-year-old first-time offender carrying a 50-year sentence on my [...]
BY MUSTAFA ZULU "Pack your panties ladies!" I remember the prison guard yelling, while banging on the cell bars with his baton. "I've got two tickets to hell with your guys’ names on them." "Get your fat, greasy, low-life ass on [...]
BY CHRIS DANKOVICH, Contributing Writer "Hey, did you see that kid in the wheelchair today?" "No." I say. "When did he get here?" "I think he just rode in yesterday or today," said Greg. "He break his leg or something?" "No, [...]