by redclay | Dec 25, 2019 | Creative Writing, Detention Center Writing Contests
Life or Liberty
Brian Boettcher
Third place, fiction, Heard/Arlington County Detention Center writing contest, August 2019
It had happened — worse than anyone imagined possible… Another celebrity president was somehow elected into office. After Donald Trump weaseled his way into a second term, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson slid into the Oval Office with an unexpected landslide victory. Yes, The Rock became the Commander in Chief of the great United States of America. The political climate of 2025 had changed quite a bit in the past few years. Things like E-currency and crypto-currency legislation and rights over social media accounts, likes, tweets and followers have replaced the age old issues like health care and gun control on the House floor. Companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Uber and Twitter now ran the free world. The Rock happened to be just the face and personality that “Big Web” (as it came to be called) needed to pacify the people into clicking, liking, following, spending and ride-sharing their incomes and lives away. Convenience and social media had become the new opiate of the masses.
There was a small issue though. One that nobody in the public knew about… really only Dr. Raj Patel — who was Dwayne’s Surgeon General, Kassandra Linder — his VP and a small team of specialists knew, but “The Rock” was dying. As a result of some moderate use of experimental steroids many years ago, his kidneys were failing. Dr. Raj had just given him the news that he now has a year to live.
“This is bad,” said Dwayne as the bad news was dropped on him. “I mean really, really bad.”
“I can’t possibly become president now, not with the mess with Big Web now. I just can’t… how is this even possible?!” Chimed in Kassandra from across the Oval Office where the three of them were having a very private meeting.
“Well, we’ve come up with a scenario that ends with a possible solution by next week,” said Dr. Raj.
“Possible?! I don’t need possibilities from you Doc! I need facts and actual solutions! If Big Web gets wind of this it’ll be just what they need… they’ll twist it somehow and become even closer to completely controlling this country!” Dwayne yelled as he pounded his fist on his mahogany desk.
“Well, we have a solution then… Sir, but its going to have to involve Big Web,” said Dr. Raj.
“Does it involve me living long enough to finish my term… and the uh, next one too?” asked Dwayne, under the illusion that his government really was still in control of the US.
“Absolutely Sir… and many more. We have made arrangements and have a team of specialists standing by, waiting for your word.”
“Do it then.” said Dwayne, not really even sure what he was committing to, also not even caring as only a dying man could.
“Just sign here Sir.”
The next day at Western State Penitentiary, Ty Shaw, inmate #900372, was waking up for his morning jog around the rec yard. Ty was 23 months into his 15 year sentence for selling narcotics. This was his third offence, and all things considered, he was just starting to accept his fate and stay positive. Hey, at least I’m finally clean he told himself. At 29, and in peak physical condition Ty hardly ever used his Big Web sponsored state health insurance, but all it took was one time 2 years ago. One doctor visit for all of Ty’s medical information, vital data and DNA to be stored on a Big Web database. An algorythm was run, a match was made, sent back to the White House and that was it. Ty was a perfect match, litterally one out of 100 million with an exact match to blood type, organ stats and DNA profile.
Ty was walking out of his housing unit on his way to his jog when a guard yelled to him “Shaw! Visit!” Caught off guard Ty fired back “What the hell?! At 9 am?!”
“I dunno bud, but you’re going. Sarge said its mandatory.”
“Uhh, okay,” said Ty.
Walking into the visiting room still confused, Ty sees two non-descript, almost identical looking men in plain black suits and shades.
“Have a seat Mr. Shaw” says the one on the left. Ty apprehensively approached the table they were sitting and takes a seat across from them. “Uhh… whats up fellas? Someone die?” says Ty, expecting the worst.
“We have a proposition for you Mr. Shaw.” The proposition went something like this: “Give up one of your healthy kidneys as a matter of national security, and you walk a free man.” Said the man on the right. Followed by his partner saying “The procedure takes 3 days. You could be a free man by next week… You have 10 minutes to decide. Sign here, and you’ll come with us. Right now…”
“Shit.” said Ty.
Of course Ty went… would you? Everything went according to plan, Ty walked a free man, a free with a shorter life expectancy. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson finished his term, even ran for a second one. There was one pretty big unforeseen consequence of the whole ordeal though. Big Web found another way to exercise even more power and control. A new system was developed to keep the wealthy alive longer, and the poor shorter. Modern medicine came a long way, certain organs, even bones, joints and limbs could easily be transplanted. Now the nation had an alternative to continuing to overcrowd its jails and prisons, which were already bursting at the seams. The only thing left to figure out was: How much time is a kidney worth? An eyeball? Would someone rather do 10 years in prison or go home on probation with one hand? Should a right hand be worth more than a left? How many years of ones life is the ability to procreate worth?
by redclay | Dec 25, 2019 | Creative Writing, Detention Center Writing Contests
Untitled
Sthephen Y.
Non-fiction, Heard/Alexandria Detention Center writing contest, August 2019
Note: This story was originally written in Spanish, and translated by a Heard team member. After reading the story we contacted the staff at the Alexandria Detention Center and forwarded the story to them so they could support the inmate.
I feel depressed because there is no way out of this hell. I am surrounded by memories of my past. There are people I love and do not have at my side. Nobody can understand my situation and if anyone can it’s because he is sitting in a prison cell. And the cure for this depression is being able to write, so that he who has not known this life, and thinks he has suffered, changes his way of thinking and feels blessed. Because I will tell you what it is like to stay in the land of the forgotten.
It is difficult and brings me great sorrow to be behind this glass and see my mother and not be able to touch her. My world feels cold, the only comfort she can offer is to tell me, “My son, my God is with you.” And I respond, Thank you, my sweet mother, I know He is the only one who will allow you to be by my side again.
It pains me to see how my days fly by and I am here with no diploma because I did not listen to the advice of my grandmother. I ended up locked in a cell. My beautiful children will ask why I am not with them, and I lie, and tell them I’ll be there very soon. The truth is that I no longer even know who I am. Much less what day it is, I’ve lost count, and my only goal is to survive.
I had a love who always swore she’d love me, but right from the start all she did was forget me. Now my faithful comfort is our memories, which remain forever in my heart and mind, and I hope never to see you again because today I am in search of someone who can heal me. I wish you the best, and hope that your new love can give you what you couldn’t find with me.
Forgive me for having left you alone. I want you to know that my only wish was to always be at your side, but the mistakes of my past did not allow that and today, from a prison cell, I have confessed my failures to you and the reason for which I can no longer remain at your side. But to you I don’t matter because now you have forgotten me, laid me aside.
My friends the two priests played me and made many false promises and in the end they all judged me and criticized me and finally abandoned me. My best friend betrayed me, he slept with my wife and didn’t have the guts to tell me, never even mentioned it. I never faltered in my support for her and all the love I felt for her — but that betrayal killed it.
Mamacita, be calm, I don’t resent you. Why spend words on you, that’s only a waste of breath. I wish you all the luck in the world, I tell you this from deep in my heart.
I leave you with some of these thoughts of mine, which are my life experiences and honest feelings. My freedom has been stolen and I live all my days with the deepest darkness that has ever befallen me.
This is a story which I hope in its short telling may be of use to those who have everything.
And if you, who are outside, think that you have failed in some way — well come and put yourself in my place so that you can see how one feels to be trapped in this madhouse.
Give thanks to God every day for your blessings since you don’t live like I do in a world of sorrow.
by redclay | Dec 25, 2019 | Creative Writing, Detention Center Writing Contests
Punishment and Redemption
Jonathan C.
Third place winner, Non-fiction, Heard/Alexandria Detention Center writing contest, August, 2019
When I first began thinking about issues of criminal justice, I had imagined that the problem was a lack of effective, humane, and beneficial alternatives. I was wrong. Alternatives that contribute to the heath and healing of criminals, victims, and the larger society are currently in use around the world, and hand has been available for centuries.
The primary problem is not an absence of viable alternatives to our current punitive response, but rather a problem of knowledge and of will. The average citizen is unaware of the alternative, in large measure due to the systematic refusal on the part of those in control to inform them. As a consequence, there seems to be no alternative but to punish.
Given the fear and anger that average citizens harbor, their punitive response is both understandable and predictable. The tragedy is that many in power who do know of the alternatives have chosen to ignore them and instead to pander to the fears and prejudges of the masses. Ignoring all the evidence that something better is available, they operate instead out their desire to get even, and in doing so contribute to a broader spirit of punishment. Politicians and the media have lulled many people into thinking that there is only one way to deal with criminals: “Lock them up and throw away the key.”
Restorative justice, according to Jonathan L. Chambers, brings, “Victims, offenders, and the community together with government and repairing injuries caused by crime.” This brand of justice emphasizes on repairing all of the injurie parties including victims, offenders, and the community. I completely understand that all the relationships among the parties implicated in the circle of crime are in need of healing and retortion according to Van Ness, Restorative Justice.
When men and women are released from prison, they return to a society that views them with fear, anger, and suspicion. The public fears that those who are released will return to the old ways that led the, to prison in the first place. It is not an unfounded fear, as over half of those released commit crimes for which they are rearrested, convicted, and IMPRISONED.
The recidivism rate in our nation is astoundingly high, leading some analysts to refer to prison as a “revolving door” through which the same people often pass two, three, or more times. This is not surprising for prison is not a place of punishment. Rather than being prepared for a new way of life, most men and women in prison are simply biding their time until they get out. The Alexandria Adult Detention Center has welcomed some of the best programs contributed to a successful reentry back into society, programs being, Sober Living, Thinking for a Change, G.E.D.O.A.R., Life Learning, ESL, Anger Management, Life Skills, CSB Home Planning, Mental Health, ATSSA Flagger Certification Training Corse.
These inside net-work groups are in place to give. The returning ex-offender the tools for a successful transition and reentry back to society and a wealth of knowledge, friendships, and program resources, linking people on the inside with the people on the outside. The gap separating those on the inside from those on the outside is almost as insurmountable as the gap that separated the rich man and Lazarus, stereotypes, misunderstandings, cultural differences, fears, prejudice, and ignorance all stain the tenuous relationships.
Building a relationship that can survive for the long haul is an important task that takes time, patience, and understanding. Everyone will face opportunities and closed doors, but possibility is available, we are given the opportunity to welcome the resources provided though reentry. While it is never ours to know the end of the story, the experience of many is that when hospitality and supports are provided, a new life flourishes. I can name a number of men and woman who are living productive, loving lives because they have received the hospitality of a loving network community. Speaking of the conversation of the criminal justice system inevitably involves us in public policy.
While it is impossible to legislate mortality, it is certainly possible to create public policies that either enhance or impede justice, truth and goodness. One cannot expect radical conversation though public policies developments alone, of course since public are the product of debate and comprise. The best I can hope to do is to set a direction that, overtime result in a fundamental paradigm shift from a punitive to a restorative goal.
Our current polices are in need of fundamental conversation. There are a number of policy issues that must be addressed. Finally, our society must come to terms with the necessity of appropriate training for criminal justice, especially jail personal, prison guards, and probation and parole staff, are hired without sufficient regard to their motivation. To their capacity for human interaction with persons whom they guard or supervise, there motivational skills to deal with difficult persons in challenging circumstances. Just as the prisoners need training in alternatives to violence, conflict management and human interaction, so too the criminal justice personal. Criminal behavior among juveniles and adults in America, is often linked to the behavior of the generation before them the criminal activity of their parents, grandparents, and care takers. Parents are a child’s primary source of learning. So when parents display deviant behaviors, their children are likely too adopt similar kinds of behavior.
Children adopt some behavior patterns that are characteristic of the larger culture. Despite the fact that many children never intend to choose a life of crime, they are often drawn in to such a life as a result of negative influences, behaviors and lifestyle.
Furthermore, the criminal activity of each succeeding generation tends to be more violent. Our youth are contending with hard-core problems and failing critical behavioral decisions at an age when they are terribly vulnerable to outside pressures. Most young adolescents seem to be lacking a clear sense of themselves, and proper upbringing, such as myself, I ended searching for identity via trial and error. Breaking the chains starts with me, for me and my family and it starts now.
Special Thanks…
God the Father and the Holy Spirit, (Chaplin Contee,
(Pastors of the Life Learning Program
(Discipling Ministry Group
(-Inmate Services- L. Erven, G. Wright, Mr./Mrs. Stubble Field
(R. Harrison, K. Sofnia
(- Mental Heath Staff
(- O.A.R, Mr. Phil and Mr. Mustfa
by redclay | Dec 25, 2019 | Creative Writing, Detention Center Writing Contests
The Un-United States
J. C.
Third place winner, fiction, Heard/Alexandria Detention Center writing contest, August 2019
All human beings begin their lives with hopes and aspirations. Among these aspirations is the desire that there will be a straight path to those goals.
It is seldom so. Perhaps never. Sometimes the turns are of ones own volition, as ones thoughts and goals change overtime. But more often the turns are mandated by outside environmental problems or influences. It was so with D. Trump. The memory is vivid, unstructured by age. The five sheriff’s deputys rising from their chairs as he was escorted into the court room. The decision of his future has been made, and they are here to deliver it.
None of them are happy with the decision. He can read that on their faces. But they are officers and assembly of the courts, and they will carry out their orders. Protocol alone demands that. The word as he expected was life in prison. The order that was given was second chance. The United States has already been chosen. Other world leaders will assemble the equipment necessary to ensure that solitude does not quickly become death from predators or the elements. I am chosen to lead. Once again, the path of fair laws and honesty has turned in the direction of righteousness. Where it will lead, I cannot say, hopefully to the truth.
The United States is in chaos. As the history of honor and loyalty turn to crumbles, the fledgling new person of power seeks a swift end to the wordly conflict.
Many world leaders have fled their post, hopeful to escape the conflict of a falling empire. An entire generation has prospered during an era of peace. Now with no total control and no solution to global warming, peace on earth is far in our future. Meanwhile, the remnants of the United States now under the control of a very powerful, secret world leader, preparing to unleash a terrifying counterstrike against other super powers.
If successful, the new worldly order will begin population control, emissary will start. The wars that divided the world’s are fading in to legend. Yet conflict has begun to reshape our way of life on earth. The new elite human race will form, and gain full authority, over the earth, the most intelligence and strongest government heroes of the military.
Only the greatest heroes of the war are still honored by all. Now it’s the elite United with a new population of elite soldiers and people that has changed our way of life. Now with limitless technology full power over the globe is inevitable.
The End.
by redclay | Dec 20, 2019 | Creative Writing, Detention Center Writing Contests
Bridge Building
Josh M.
Second place winner, Non-fiction, Heard/Alexandria Detention Center writing contest, August 2019
In my life there has been many places I needed to so that required a bridge to get here. In life we use metaphors to describe situations we experience. I would like to describe building a bridge that spans a gap between my son and I a bridge that’s been damaged by the extreme weather of my life.
I was blessed with a creation from the heavens 13 years ago. From the first night I saw this creation I knew that I would build a foundation that nothing would crack. I had no idea I had no experience in building foundations, but my desire to bridge this gap gave me the confidence and drive to do what it takes and sacrifice whatever is necessary. Because of those few character traits I was able to provide an amazing foundation.
Foundation is only the first step in building a bridge. You have to understand how to cover several angels and how to get both sides to accept a rigid structure evenly. I would be on one side of this gap and my son on the other. We could see each other but we were so new to this we could only dream of a connection at this point. He and I tried new theories and 2 or 3 different formulas. We pampered every attempt and tested every failure with luv. He was a lot more patient than I was, but we eventually made progress.
I can remember like it was yesterday, the first time he held me as tight as I embraced him. I knew on that day a bridge had been completed. A bridge is one of man’s greatest feats of design. I believe it speak volumes to its clout when loving someone is compared to building a bridge.
Sometimes outside forces can fracture a bridges integrity. When this happens, it becomes unsafe to travel this span of distance. Some bridges are irreparable. Some bridges need that one specific, extremely unique piece to put it back together. Sometimes people find it. Sometimes people don’t search for it. Sometimes people look their whole life just to find out the piece don’t exist.
I have a bridge with a piece missing. Fortunately, I know how to repair it. On September 25, 2019 I’ll be able to pick that piece up and set it back in place. Words can’t describe how valuable that piece is and how valuable that piece is and how long I’ve yearned to set it in place. On that date my son and I will no longer see each other from afar. Thanks to an engineering feet we call a bridge literally or figuratively.
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