As a man who has spent the last 25 years in prison, I can tell you this is a really horrible and lonely place. There are those who commit some really serious crimes, and should spend some time in a place like this. However, there are those who have committed crimes that should not spend any serious time in prison, and those who are in prison who are innocent and should have never seen the inside of a prison. I have proclaimed my innocence from the very beginning, and do not believe I should have ever known what these places are like.
Many of the staff in these places act in a criminal, cruel, and negligent manner. The inmates who attempt to stand up for themselves are almost always retaliated against. Hopelessness and despair are what they learn. Imagine spending decades being treated this way? I have seen the most confident of men be reduced to a timid hand shy individual who can not make a single decision without first asking staff. I wonder what will become of such men once they are released? A caged animal without the restraints of prison staff let loose on the world. Is this what they mean by preparing inmates for their return into society?
I firmly believe that staff are trained to break the inmates spirits. We certainly do not have any recourse for the times we are mistreated. I recently was accused of writing a snitch kite by an inmate. I have never wrote any informant kites my entire 25 years, and never would. Because this inmate suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, and is a staff members personal pet, the staff member believed the inmate. Then other staff members believed the first staff member. I was never given a conduct report, and never found guilty of anything. Nevertheless, I have this cloud of suspicion over me. The reason I have never been formally accused, nor found guilty, is because I did not do what these people accused me of. They even went as far as comparing my handwriting with the one used to write the kite. Obviously, my handwriting did not match. I feel like I keep going through this same scenario over and over in life.
What am I suppose to do? Just as with the case that landed me in prison, all of the evidence proves I did not do this thing, yet, I am guilty depending on who you talk to. The issue with the snitch kite is far less important than proving my innocence in this case. None of this compares to having the ability to restore my relationship with my daughter. Still, this is persistent and nagging issue. I keep wondering how much of this crap I will have to face when I do finally go home. It is a daunting thought.
The one thing I can tell you about this is that I have continuously fought to prove my innocence. Now, every time someone falsely accuses me of something, they just stoke the fire a bit.
[…] Read the rest of Shane’s post. […]
Shane prison in America is horrible. It should never have come to what it is today and has been. in 1971 in Sweden their prisons were like camp. we have so very much to learn and the justice system is appalling. So very much needs to change. Hang in there. I hope Bob and Jim can help you get out. All my very best to you. Try to carry on as best you can in that terrible situation.