Prison journalism: Behind Bars: A Journey of Chaos, Resilience, and Unforgettable Nights

Prison journalism: Behind Bars: A Journey of Chaos, Resilience, and Unforgettable NightsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.

by David van Nek

14-07-2023 14:04

in Prison Journalism

Prison

Image by Unsplash

Join me on an unforgettable night when I entered the chaotic world of prison for the first time. Imagine being thrust into the heart of Number, a notorious prison gang with three camps: Sunrise for 26's and 27's, and Sundowns for the 28 camp. Chaos erupted when the master key turned, as the three camps converged and strategized for the day ahead. Amidst the chaos, the Franse group emerged, resorting to smuggling drugs, weed, knives, and phones. Hunger and thirst prevailed, while the Ouens discussed, and the Franse retrieved contraband discreetly. But their fate was yet to be sealed. Experience the eventful first night with me, where meager meals, smoking, and morning silence offered refuge from potential violence.

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Seeking connections: Family and Discretion in Prison Life Now, let's fast forward to understand why some individuals gravitate towards joining the ranks of the Number. Allow me to share my own experience. In my case, my family resided far from the confines of Pollsmoor jail, leaving me without regular visits. The only exception was my Uncle, who held a deep disdain for all prisons across the country. Whenever I sought a connection to the outside world, I resorted to calling my Aunt, who had to disguise our conversations as harmless chats between churchgoing women. The intricate connections between my Uncle, my father, and that man from their high school days made such discretion necessary.

The trials I faced with my friends were drawing to a close, and we yearned for a swift resolution-a guilty plea, a sentence, and a chance to move on. After enduring a three-week-long trial, the moment arrived-the verdict that would shape our futures. Two years, 2761i, resounded through the courtroom. Can you fathom the mix of emotions that surged within me? Overwhelmed with joy, I couldn't help but exclaim a resounding Ja! The individuals I encountered during the trial had waited patiently for their turn for two to three long years.

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The Orange Uniform: A Symbolic Entry into an Unfamiliar World As I prayed fervently to God, any sentence, no matter how daunting, seemed preferable. And so it happened, on that fateful day, February 27, 2015, my partner in crime and I were handed our sentences together. As day one in prison dawned upon us, we were adorned with an orange shirt and trousers that clearly didn't fit our frames. While the shirt boasted its freshness, the trousers stood as worn relics of the past. And the footwear? Well, picture the absurdity of having a size 6 shoe on one foot and a size 7 and a half on the other. Mismatched, indeed. It was time for me to step into the unknown, with the echoing cries of the wardens, their colorful expletives filling the air. Jou ma se pxxx! they would shout, bidding me farewell. Off I went, embracing this new world, prepared to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

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And there you have it-the wild journey from my first night behind bars to the trials that led me to the Number. It's a tale of resilience, of making connections against the odds, and the desire to move forward, no matter the circumstances. My initiation into the prison system, intertwined with the chaos of the three camps and the intriguing dynamics of the Franse, left an indelible mark on my memory. With an ill-fitting uniform and mismatched shoes, I embarked on my prison experience, bracing myself for the trials and tribulations that awaited. So, as I walked into that new world, surrounded by the echoes of the wardens' colorful words, I carried with me the determination to face whatever lay ahead and embrace the challenges that would shape my time within those walls.

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

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

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