Prison Journalism: From the streetsJeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-Fayette in Pennsylvania. Read Jeffrey's story from the streets
by Jeffrey Shockley
20-06-2023 10:11
in Prison Journalism
Prison
Image from unsplash
From the streets of a concrete jungle into a concrete box
I now reside inside a prison cell for years longer than I've been alive
I miss the outside for the possibilities of where we should be
Walking free trying to see all there is in life anyone can be
But here I am amid this arid stench that flows and grows
Through the air as painful despair because concerning life, I did not care
I miss walking alone among the crowds, just another heartbeat of society
An unskilled anomaly, struggling in poverty, but today I'm state property
Confined behind chain-link razor-topped fences; Steel benches and armed guard towers
A change of power surrendered by the choices I've made
--
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: When my dad died, I was stuck behind bars
To the errant street hype my life mistakenly I gave, freedoms I've waived
Now, living as I'm told, where doing time is growing old
And can turn the heartbeat iceberg cold
Bitter sweet is missing the freedoms of going wherever to see
Visiting places no one should be, knowing internally
An upstanding citizen, never again going to be
Reminded daily, you'll never be free
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: From father and son to strangers
--
So, what is it now that anyone should strive for?
What I have done too many have cried for; the essence of life still I'll try for
I desire to give honor to the life lost at too high a cost
By my crime of self-medication, displaced aggression and let's not to mention
Pains from childhood unwanted attention
Today I strive to mold into the power of self
While learning the wealth of abilities in me before I did not see
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: The feelings I hold for Nelson Mandela
Using the time and education invested in me
Would I not be a help to society if given the hope of an opportunity?
Is rehabilitation not valid when it pertains to a life taken?
Shall there be no hope for a mind reawakened?
Changed in time, remorseful of this crime
To whom does society want me to be if I'm never going to be free?
While I miss the outside, my cost upon society
Is greater than imagined
--
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Forgotten Youth
The damages I apologize the more for
Yet knowing can never be repaid
My mistakes past that last into the tomorrows no one's even seen yet
Negating how much better any man can get
But in me I pray some may choose to see
A possibility.
The article was facilitated by Erin Parish from the Human Kindness Foundation (HKF).
The Human Kindness Foundation's mission is to encourage more kindness in the world beginning with people in our prisons and jails.
HKF has published several books including: We're All Doing Time, Lineage and Other Stories, Deep and Simple, and Just Another Spiritual Book and provide these books for free to people currently serving time in prisons or jails.
Do you have any question you would like to ask our prison journalists, WhatsApp us on 060 011 0211
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 0211
You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prisoner journalism articles.
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Prison Journalism: From the streetsJeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-Fayette in Pennsylvania. Read Jeffrey's story from the streets
