Prison journalism: From maximum to redemption: A journey of change and reflectionWesley 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
18-09-2023 12:42
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.
Image by unsplash
In this new article, I would like to share the repercussions I had to endure before I left the medium-security facility and all the difficulties I still go through after leaving prison.
--
Life Behind Bars: Maximum Security When I left the maximum-security facility to meet him, the facility felt very strange to me. The bus that took us from the prison had to stop about three times. Upon my arrival in the medium-security facility, I was issued an orange uniform to wear. I was used to wearing a red uniform, and the difference struck me immediately. The sunlight, the blue sky, the white clouds, the green grass, and the trees around me all felt very strange. You can imagine how hard it was for me to look into the sky; the sun was too bright, but I was grateful nonetheless. I took a step closer to getting home after my intermission and basically went to the cells.
ALSO READ: Prison Journalism: How Sticks escaped from prison to go to his mother's funeral
Transitioning to Medium-Security The setup in medium-security was completely different from maximum security. It was a different environment with different inmates and different protocols. The cells were a lot smaller, and there were windows. The lights went off at night, which was a blessing. My experience with violence in medium security was much less severe than in maximum security. I was wrong to assume that. The violence in maximum security was more drastic.
--
During my time in maximum security, I was constantly in single cells. I had a reputation for stabbing and fighting, and I almost got charged again for attempted murder while inside prison. My daily routine consisted of waking up in the morning and going to my usual spot to collect my knife for protection before the guards even opened the gates for breakfast. Then, I would proceed to the early morning greeting for the new arrivals, called sico. I would be on standby for my sergeant, and he would ask if everything was alright and if there were any issues out of the norm. After that, I would get breakfast and see what was on our agenda for the day. If there were any numbers involved, I had to defend my position as a member of the gang.
ALSO READ: Prison journalism: How a pen helped me escape prison
A Violent Turn of Events One morning, as usual, things took a turn for the worse. All of a sudden, a fight broke out, involving members of different gangs, and before I knew it, it was chaos. People were getting stabbed, including inmates, correctional officers, and cooks. It was madness. I recall stabbing two people that day, and by evening, I was laying in my bed, thinking about what had transpired throughout the day. I couldn't bring myself to sleep, knowing that I had caused pain and death to one inmate.
--
By the morning, I was summoned to the head of the prison's office. He wanted to discuss yesterday's events and whether I was involved in any of the stabbings. One inmate had died, and another was seriously injured. He also mentioned my history and my prior record, implying that he believed I was involved. I told him the truth, that I had no involvement in any of the stabbings. He made it clear that there would be an internal investigation, and the truth would come to light.
During the internal investigation, they questioned witnesses and anyone with information. A reward was offered, and one inmate decided to tell the police that I was involved in the stabbing of the two people. I was questioned repeatedly by the police, who claimed they had evidence of my involvement. I asked to see the evidence, but nothing came of it.
My brother took it upon himself to deal with the inmate who had informed the police of my involvement. When I look back on it now, where I am in life, I realize I would not have agreed to the consequences and the repercussions that the inmates had to endure. The one who got stabbed, thank God he's out today. I speak with him frequently on Facebook. As for the one who passed away, I tried to make retribution and console with the family after I was released from prison.
ALSO READ: Prison Journalism: From Despair to Redemption: My journey through prison and parole
Reflection and Redemption Sometimes in life, we are put in positions where we have to do things we don't want to do, things that make us uncomfortable, things that cause pain, hurt, and sometimes death. I live my life outside now, and I try my hardest to stay away from any form of violence. I respect life itself. Thank you for reading my article.
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.
If you have any questions 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 prison journalism articles.
Are you a KAIZER CHIEFS fan? Click here
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
Prison journalism: From maximum to redemption: A journey of change and reflectionWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's research and reintegration project.
