Life in a prison camp is a cross reflection of society and culture that is America.
There are people from varying social and economic backgrounds and everyone has a back story. I interact with millionaires and people when they leave here that will be homeless. There are people that read, write and try to educate themselves and make the most of this opportunity and yes, being at a Federal Prison camp is a HUGE opportunity to change, grow and become a better version of yourself. Many more, so it seems just try to “get by”.
They sleep during the day, are up all night watching Television, into anything and everything that goes against the system and have a victim mentality. There is a stark difference between those who committed a crime and those who are criminals. I experience it everyday.
I recently spoke to an individual and said to him, “Hey, its great your are leaving in a few days, you must be excited! His lack of joy and enthusiasm was shocking. He replied “The only money I have is what is in my commissary account. I have no place to live, no job and no idea what my future is. This made be sad and caused deep reflection. Part of it was from his apparent lack of personally responsibility while here and the other from the system itself that provides little for a person to return to society in a better place that when they came in.
In many instances,they will return to society worse off. My guess is he will be back in the system very soon. 3 meals a day, a place to sleep, free movement, no real structure other than a token job assignment and a few daily counts is better than being homeless. In this and so many other examples, the system has failed people both inside and outside. Why? Maybe I’m just a dreamer. In the words of Robert F. Kennedy (paraphrased) ” Some people see things as they are and ask why? I dream thing as they could be and ask why not? Below is another in a collection of poems I written.
“Useless”
A college without any classes. indifference towards the masses. No rhyme or reason for a prison camp. Rehab it is not. We are all freeloaders on the government dime. Some are criminals, other committed a single crime. The criminals never learn, they continue in their ways. Only to return for several more months stay. Maybe, perhaps, we should rethink incarceration. Community service and paying taxes would be better for the nation. Violent people and those who harm others should be locked in jail. If we think outside the box, the system will not fail. But is has.
