PRISONER EXPRESS

These are only questions that I feel need to be answered. Maybe we both, me and you, are going through some similar experiences? I've been incarcerated on this trip here for six flat years and yet still I do not know when I am going to get out. And I'm sure that there are some of you in the same boat as I.

We do not know when, if ever, we are going to be released from this prison. What's wrong with our governing authorities? We do everything that's required of us, everything that's necessary for us to be eligible to be considered for a release, only to find out that we have been put off to go home for a later date in the future. And then when that next possible release date arrives, yet still once again we are shot down like we were the target and the arrows hit their mark. What's wrong with the parole system? Why are they sitting on their prisoners? Our prisons are overcrowded because they are not releasing any prisoners. Not even the ones who were eligible years ago. There's got to be a catch. I just don't understand. They're crying that they are overcrowded but they have not taken any measures to alleviate the problem. This is a big money market. We're treated as if we are cattle and they're getting paid for every last one of us. So it's more profitable for them to hold onto us and not let us go. Look at me for example: I've got six years done on a technical violation. I am more than eligible for release. I'm ready. I'm willing. I'm qualified. Regardless of all that, I am still here. This is not a rumor, this is a fact. Joe is still here in prison. Joe is being held here against his will.

I guess that's why this place is called prison. Joe is looking for the opportunity to be released. Joe has learned his lesson well. Joe will do everything that he can to get out, and stay out. If I keep living it's inevitable that I am going to get out of this prison one day. And what a happy day that will be for me. Since being here, I have encountered many things that are not to my liking. This prison unit that I am now on, we're like 30 minutes from the border of Mexico. I am African American and I feel like a foreigner here. The majority population is Hispanic. Our unit library does not have any good or interesting books. Most of them are old and outdated. I'm just about ready to write Gary or Steve and request for some more books to be sent to me. Do you receive books from Durland Alternatives Library like I do? What other activities at Durland Alternatives Library are you involved in? Did you request for a pen pal? Did you get one? I didn't. Maybe I need to write and request again. Here is something else that I've encountered since being here: our recreation yard is not fit to jog on.

The ground is all uneven; you could hurt yourself trying to jog around on uneven ground. I'm tired of this mess. I am looking forward to this new upcoming year, 2008. Hopefully things will get better. It's amazing what a good decent meal can do. I am looking forward to partaking of a nice decent meal on Xmas day. But it all depends on how the food is prepared, and the cooking skills of those preparing. It's not everyday that you get a good meal here and so I know for sure that "prison-wide" every man or woman incarcerated in prison will be expecting to eat and enjoy a good meal. This is a heads up! Don't forget to count your blessings even through adversity. Take the bitter with the sweet. In closing, information can be very useful. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year's. Information is king.