Interview With An Ex-convict
December 9th, 2015
Why are they called correctional facilities? They don’t seem to be correcting anything. Most come out a harder criminal than when they went in. I think most people know or are acquainted with someone who’s served time in prison.
In 30 states 77% of inmates were rearrested within 5 years of release. We just don’t have the jobs we need for true rehabilitation. It’s a double standard to ask ex-cons to live a crime free life and not provide the means of doing it. If ex-cons were to get the job it means someone without a record will not and that’s certainly not acceptable to society. Again there are too many ex-cons and not enough American jobs. Since 2002 America has had the highest incarceration rate in the world. Since 2002 unemployment has been as low as 4.4% in 2007 and as high as 10% in 2009.
Prison life should be a deterrent for crime and not just an accepted step in a progression of crime. It should be a deterrent by it’s legitimate regulation of punishment and discipline and not the fear of bodily injury, rape, or death. With all of these illegal behaviors going on behind bars it’s self preservation and survival of the fittest. While these behaviors help wild species to hold a place in existence, humans should have evolved to incorporate a higher aptitude for societal governing; a place where there is room for self sacrifice without succumbing to self destruction.
Not having seen a jail cell for more than 48 hours I’ve turned to a good friend who spent years in prison. Of the 5 or 6 convicts that I know he is the only 1 who is rehabilitated. Unfortunately he can’t find a job that pays a living wage. I do wonder if he will eventually return to a life of crime. His only crime now is not knowing anyone with enough clout to get him a job. He has a wife and 3 children and he alone would not make enough to support himself. Here are the results of an interview conducted with him. I’ll not be able to share his name or even the facility he served time in. These are his real answers.
Q: How segregated was the prison where you stayed?
A: Very segregated with very little mixing socially.
Q: Did you need protection while you were inside?
A: Yes, I don’t want you to judge me but I sat with the Aryan Brotherhood.
Q: Has knowing my family changed your Aryan view.
A: Yeah, I don’t think like that anymore. I have kids now. I think it’s senseless now. There’s assholes in every group.
Q: Do you know of anyone who was raped?
A: Yes, and most times the victim would be shunned or ignored so as not to be grouped with the victim.
Q: Do you think conjugal visits or furlough would benefit the prison system or society as a whole?
A: Yes, there would be less rapes and beatings and the over all behavior of inmates would be more civil.
Q: Have you ever seen an inmate beaten by a guard or other inmate?
A: Yeah, all the time. One guy got jacked up on a desk and wound up biting the cheek off of the attacker; so much so that you could see his teeth through his face.
Oh, yeah the guards beat someone everyday. They had a goon squad where 5 or 6 guards would rush a cell and beat the hell out of an inmate.
Q: What did you do with your time?
A: Well I was going to school to get my GED, and watched TV. I didn’t have enough time left to take college courses. I played horse shoes and worked out.
Q: Did you have the opportunity for work or education?
A: I got paid to go to school. There was a lot of jobs that paid money. In school I got $1.75 a day; the best paying job in the place. You could take college courses but that would cost you a little bit of money.
Q: Do you think you’ll be a repeat offender?
A: Absolutely not. I made it. If I start drinking again I’d go back.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like the reader to know.
A: It’s like a whole different planet. Every day in there you’re taking a chance with your life. I was a level 1 placed with level 3’s (much more sever crimes). That should be illegal. It’s that they’re overpopulated.
The above answers are somewhat ugly but by no means surprising. By the sound of the term correctional facility a person should come a better person than when they went in. The conditions in most prisons are more suited for animals than people. According to the interview college seems to be the only term of civility in the place. Under Occupational Parenting the prison system would get a massive overhaul. Until next time, keep your homes well.
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