Prison Journalism: Life in Pollsmoor prison for the first timeJermaine's first time in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre was in 2018 when he was sentenced to six months behind bars.
by Jermaine Nomdoe
07-06-2023 09:09
in Prison Journalism
Journey through prison
Image: Pixabay
My first time in prison, it felt like I was lost, but as time goes on, I got used to it. But then, I met two wonderful ladies who did the restorative justice classes with the inmates in prison. Then, I decided to join them. Afterwards, I got so used to those classes, I did not want to stay out. And in the room that I stayed in, you could not do what you wanted to do because there were two camps that you must respect: the 26's and the 28's.
--
Every time you went to visit, you had to have something to share with them, and that is your tobacco. But afterwards, I got a little bit clever. For them, I let my mommy buy me a big pack of tobacco and 50 grams of tobacco for them. Then, I knew I did not need to give them any of mine. It is a place where you must respect one another. If you do not have respect there, then they hit you.
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: The feelings I hold for Nelson Mandela
SIX MONTHS IN PRISON My first six months in prison were very hectic. I felt like someone who is not going home because time walked slowly. I was sentenced to 6 months in prison. That year was my first year in prison for Christmas, and there in Westlake (a small community next to the prison), we could hear how the people shouted, Merry Christmas . Prison is not a place for anyone; it is very dirty there. And if you do not know the ups and downs, then you must not enter that place, especially if you are not an Indota'.
--
Indotas are the people they say are bosses in prison. If your people come to visit you, then you must share your stuff with them. In the morning, you must go shower before the Indotas go to wash themselves. And in the morning, when they want to discuss their stuff, like what they talk about in prison, they chase you to the toilet. They do not want you to hear what they talk about. Prison is a dirty place; they do not clean the toilets. You, as a newcomer, must do that when you enter the room. Plus, the showers have no warm water; it is cold water.
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: How to endure the winters of a life sentence
It's not nice to be in prison because it's not your mommy's house, where you can go make your coffee whenever you want to. And the saddest part of all, you have to wake up early in the morning because like they say in prison, Frans (non gang members) can't sleep late. Only the Ouens and the Frans must go clean the toilet. There, you only eat twice in the day. At home, you can eat whenever you want to eat.
--
One day, I would like to go do prison ministry at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre with Restore, to tell them what I learned of all these times that I went in and out of prison. I was five times in prison. For Christmas two years ago, it was my first-time outside prison. But I'm thanking God for breaking that curse over my life.
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Programming in Pennsylvania prisons gave this lifer purpose
DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received
About Jermaine: Jermaine's first time in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre was in 2018, he was sentenced to six months. While he was at A Camp, he saw a lovely lady calling people to do Restore's research classes. He decided to join the classes and afterward, He decided to go to that class every Tuesday, aiming to make a change in his life. Jermaine's goal is to go to places where drug use is prevalent and tell users about tik's terrible effects. He can't blame the drug, but it makes most youngsters end up in prison.
RESTORE is a NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.
Do you have contact with a prison inmate who would like to write for The South African website?
If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prisoner journalism articles.
SOCCER QUIZ | FIVE simple answers could win you R500 in cash! ENTER HERE
Africa Stories
17/04/2024
Ster-Kinekor to cut 236 jobs, close THESE nine cinemas in South AfricaSter-Kinekor has announced plans to lay off almost a third of its 728 employees and close ...
17/04/2024
Disney and National Geographic celebrate Earth MonthDisney's storytelling prowess merged with National Geographic's legacy of exploration to celebrate E...
17/04/2024
Prison Journalism: How have you changed as a person while in prison?Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-F...
17/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa is determined to solve Dikeledi's su...
17/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...
17/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
17/04/2024
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
17/04/2024
Sibongile and The Dlaminis' gains first position on DStvRhythm World's popular telenovela Sibongile and The Dlaminis' is the most-watched TV show o...
17/04/2024
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 16 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...
16/04/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
16/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele feels Sandile's not a true friend anyway i...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Evelyn learns about the full scale of her son's troub...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar and Jaxon finally receive the moment they h...
16/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afric...
16/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
16/04/2024
Historic: House of Zwide' is the most-watched TV show on e.tvE.tv's fashion telenovela House of Zwide' beat Scandal!' for the first time sinc...
16/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Jojo's doing his best to make amends, but Phakamile worr...
15/04/2024
Scandal!: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
15/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac asks Bra Zakes for help with any information he...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Phomolo threatens Pretty in an attempt to save LehasaDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle turns to an old friend to assist with her missionDon't miss Monday, 15 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scand...
15/04/2024
Christianity: Four people who claimed to be JesusChristianity is one of the world's dominant religions, with more than 80% of South Africans following this ...
15/04/2024
House of Zwide: Monday's episode, 15 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
15/04/2024
Die Antwoord's collaborators: What they're doing nowDie Antwoord is a controversial hip-hop group founded in 2008. As a duo, they've also collaborat...
15/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa hides her turmoil and goes through with ...
14/04/2024
Afrikaans television shows make a comebackClassic Afrikaans television shows are making a comeback, according to the streaming service AfriForumTV. Here's w...
12/04/2024
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
12/04/2024
House of Zwide: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African w...
12/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sandile changes his mind about telling Faith that Zan...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors Season 1 finale!: Thandiswa learns that Mthetho and...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Babeile is shocked to find out who harmed SthokoDon't miss Thursday, 11 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
12/04/2024
Hollywoodbets introduces power couple as Brand Ambassadors, blending Sports and ...
12/04/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 11 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afr...
12/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Gang operations in South African prisonsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the resto...
12/04/2024
Prison Journalism: Challenges faced when released from prisonFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorativ...
12/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle finds herself on the wrong side of the lawDon't miss Friday, 12 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on ...
12/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
12/04/2024
House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 11 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African...
12/04/2024
Scandal!: Friday's episode, 12 April 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
11/04/2024
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
11/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Babeile has an idea who may have harmed SthokoDon't miss Thursday, 11 April's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam...
11/04/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Keletso's continued anguish over Rea's phoneDon't miss Thursday, 11 April's riveting episode of South African soapie ...
11/04/2024
BrightRock, kykNET celebrate Free State with VrystaatbewonersDiscover the untold stories of resilience, ingenuity, and community spirit in the heart of the Free...
11/04/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Dintle throws herself at Phakamile and Nqobile's mercy b...
11/04/2024
Joker: Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in first-look trailer [Watch]Studios have just released the first trailer for Joker: Folie Deux. The film is the official...
11/04/2024
House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 10 April 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South Africa...
11/04/2024
Prison Journalism: My life works in 12sWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's researc...
11/04/2024
Skeem Saam' dominates 19:30 timeslotSABC1's educational soapie Skeem Saam' beat e.tv's long-running show, Scandal!' in its 19:30 timeslot ...
Prison Journalism: Life in Pollsmoor prison for the first timeJermaine's first time in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre was in 2018 when he was sentenced to six months behind bars.
