Prison journalism: How did it feel to be a world champion?

Prison journalism: How did it feel to be a world champion?Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's research and reintegration project.

by Wesley Leong

31-10-2023 12:46

in Prison Journalism

Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's research and reintegration project.

Over the past weekend, we experienced a moment of victory, glory, and achievement. It was a glorious experience, and as we were celebrating, I began to realize how sport can have an impact on people and how we can improvise it in this same manner regarding the movement of change for ex-convicts. Sadly, it will take a lot to get to where it can share a similar experience.

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A glimpse of unity behind bars I was about 4 years into my sentence and shared a similar experience. We had a football competition that the prison decided to hold. It was a sectional and inter-cell competition. We were all very excited and looking forward to the competition. We trained extremely hard, and believe me, this was no time for the number or any gangster activity whatsoever. We as inmates were so occupied with the football competition; it was the only topic on the yard. Twenty-eight gangsters, twenty-seven, twenty-six gangsters were covering with one another and were so involved with one another that the number and its laws were almost forgotten.

I noticed the movement and the activity on the yard between inmates, and it was absolutely remarkable to watch. For once in my life while being incarcerated that I could actually say that there was a sense of one and brotherhood and safety. You would not have believed your eyes! So did the wardens; they were under the impression that something was being devised and gangster activity was about to kick off. So, they were on their toes and prepared for anything.

So as the competition was about to kick off, gang members had a small meeting about what was expected from us in terms of our behavior. As the competition started, it was an experience of note; we were all very excited and would not hold off the cheer and support of our cell teams. All prison wardens and inmates were advised by the head of the prison to be on the cricket/soccer field. No exceptions were to be made; only wardens and section officials were allowed.

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Camaraderie and excitement The competition was actively packed; it spanned over the course of 2 weeks. Was it an experience, let me tell you. No violence, no numbers, no gang activity whatsoever. It was the docile for 2 weeks. As the competition came towards an end, it was cell 6 versus cell 15. Cell 6 was a 28-gang cell, as for cell 15, it was only 26 gangsters. It should have been so much tension for a football game. It was not that way. The game was a hell of a game. The score was 4-4 by the end of full time, ending up in a penalty shootout, and the winners were cell 6.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: The Monotonous Prison Life and the Transformation through Sports

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Back to violence After the competition, things vividly came to a change and shifted back to normal gang activity. We were all congratulated by the head of the prison for our behavior. The prison even decided to spoil us with feeding us a special meal. It was thrown down the drain the next 3 days when the stabbing of two inmates took place. Gangsters that were sharing happiness and cheer of sportsmanship were forgotten.

I would not believe my eyes and what was happening before me. Days ago we were all in a joyful space, to sudden violence. So, I realized that in order for us to make a change, we needed to start with the mindset of the individual to allow a positive effect to take place. We have our work cut out for us in order for change to take place. Sport will be one factor, but then after all, it's not only that it starts with us, but the community and officials need to sit down and derive a system to present the positive change. Human nature does not justify the sudden mind shift from positive to negative in the blink of an eye.

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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