Prison journalism: A journey of redemption: from prison to renewal

Prison journalism: A journey of redemption: from prison to renewalJonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison.

by Wesley Leong

18-09-2023 10:27

in Prison Journalism

Jonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison.

Image: Unsplash

I emerged from the confines of maximum-security prison after a seven-year sentence, my senses reeling in a state of shock. The world beyond those prison walls beckoned, but as I began my search, the streets of Hillbrow, Johannesburg, felt strangely empty. In my heart, I held a glimmer of hope, hoping my cousin might aid me in locating my sister amidst the towering flats of the Sands. Yet, as I confronted the stark reality, my sister's profound transformation was painfully evident. Over the years, the grip of Nigerian traffickers had led her down a treacherous path of drug addiction, leaving her a shadow of her former self. There was but one imperative - to bring her back home to our mother, no matter the cost.

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A New Beginning in Cape Town In 2019, my mother passed away from old age. So, I decided to leave for Cape Town to start a new life, free from gang life and crime. I started a business, and it was very successful. Unfortunately, life took a turn for the worst again when my brother was shot dead in Johannesburg. I had to go back to Johannesburg to bury him. I was told who shot my brother, and I took revenge on the person responsible. It was a massive mistake, and I thought it was acceptable at the time. However, I caused more hurt and pain to a family that didn't deserve it. It made me realize that I needed to change, even though I sought retribution for my brother's death, knowing he was involved in dangerous activities.

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Confronting Demons and Seeking Redemption Returning to my point about being in prison, there was an incident one morning when one of the 26 gang members left a 28th gang member's phone on the bed while the jail cells were open before lunchtime. I was brought to attention and told to be ready as we were going to have a prison war against the 28th gang over that little phone. By the afternoon, the jail cells were locked down. Eleven people went to the hospital with serious injuries and bleeding. I saw a bird flying above me in a circular motion and felt deep in my soul that something bad was going to happen. By evening, we were informed that two inmates had passed away in the hospital, both of them 28th gang members. This did not go well, and the entire prison went on lockdown. There was no movement, no exercise. With 800 cellmates, the cells became very confined, and tensions grew between inmates and rival gang members. I couldn't understand why the Department of Corrections decided to put opposing gang members in the same cells, knowing that violence could erupt at any moment.

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When the violence finally ended that day, they divided the inmates into different sections with wooden shutters. Some of us were 28 members, some 27, some 26, but it was all mixed up due to the earlier conflict. A few more people were hurt over the next two days as conflicts continued. The wardens decided to separate inmates according to their gang affiliations, and on that day, 26 gang members died due to stabbings while 28 members returned fire. Two of my 26 gang brothers survived. It became clear that love would never exist in a place like this, and despite wanting to change, it was extremely difficult and challenging. You had to convince fellow gang members around you that you were a different person, hiding your true self. It was like being a comedian, using camouflage to adapt to any environment.

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From Concrete Walls to Hopeful Horizons I moved from one maximum-security prison to another, where I saw something I had never seen before - the mouth of the lion, a concrete structure that led into the prison itself. It was a daunting sight. I spent almost two and a half years in that facility, never seeing sunlight or the blue sky with its white clouds. It was a cold, hard, indestructible concrete environment. I told myself I was almost halfway through my sentence and looked forward to transferring to a medium-security section, hoping to get home in one piece. My family, especially my mom, came to visit me every single weekend during my sentencing. Their support from the outside, whether buying things at the shop or putting money in my account, gave me a sense of hope and relief. It reminded me that there was a life outside the prison walls.

Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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