The first time I went to prison, I was more curious than afraid. Once corrections officers had ensured I wasn’t carrying anything on my person, I stayed in a holding area with others packed in like sardines, waiting for the all clear. No two doors were open at the same time. It was a slow and methodical process that reminded me of going through river locks as a child with my grandpa. Most prisoners are held in cells individually or in large pods, depending on the prison, but usually gen pop don’t just roam the halls freely. It is kind of like high school in that way. There are a few trustees with special permissions or hall passes to go from one location to another to complete work duties. Oftentimes, any position other than corrections officer, or CO, is filled with prisoners, primarily to keep costs down. These positions are earned through good behavior and sought after to break up the monotony and boredom of a regular inmate’s prison day. When first entering the halls of...
A Collection of Personal Essays