Prison Journalism: Being active in a correctional centre

I think that being active is one of the most sought-after things that a prisoner can have or get. Like is said previously, one will do just as much as anything to stay out of one’s prison cell.

Work

I think, ok let me say, I know that if a prisoner is able to go out and work, that is a bonus. For example, going out takes you most of the time anywhere in prison, and it gives many inmates the advantage to do their collecting or to do business with others or just to get something from the next party. That is maybe meeting needs that they lack or are in need of. The time I got a job in prison, I was the first one out and the last one in, and it felt so good being once at my cell. In my experience, it was nice to be outside. I could make a lot of money, get stuff to smoke, and even if I could look at women, it was even better because you’re just around men, and you sometimes desire to look at women or to have sex. I’m being honest with you so that you know what is going through my mind when I’m behind bars and just trying to make contact with different people.

Being connected

I think that is one of the main factors in prison, just to be in touch with family and friends and to know what is happening on the outside of prison, yes. And when that happens, there are a lot of things that you hear, and it sometimes makes you want to get out and go home to them and support them, no matter what it is, and help them get through their time in need. But what I enjoy is just knowing that they are safe, that they have food, and that they have a roof over their heads. It makes me do my time in peace and focus on what needs to be done. It makes me much stronger knowing that they are okay and well.

Religion in prison

Being Christian or Muslim, it almost does not matter—you won’t be judged by your religion, and everyone respected each other’s religion and supported them in that time. Being in prison and wanting to know the Lord God, our saviour, and spending more time with Him—being in prison is one of the most sufficient places to connect with our God or Allah. From my experience, being in touch with God in prison, even with all that I have done and still was doing in prison, I was close to God. The reason I’m saying that is with every step that I took in prison, I put God first, even if I was bad. I would pray and ask for forgiveness, and then He might give me strength to go on and move forward.

Special care and segregation for inmates with specific needs

If I may mention, this is when a prisoner has a special need that indeed, as from what I have witnessed and what I can relate to, if he/she needs it, they will do everything that is best for that inmate, and that will be a care that most likely others don’t get. So, in saying that, it means that they should move the inmate or put him in a single cell so that he will be treated to the max, and that he will get what is received from the wardens as basic needs, basic decisions, if put in that way. But it does not mean that you will receive special treatment—you’re still in prison and will still obey the law of prison and do what is expected of you as you go.

Being in your own space

I think that it is possible to be in your own space if you write a letter and ask, due to your behaviour that they see. If possible, to move around, maybe they will, but some others will be with you, and I think no, I know that there is no privacy in prison.

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