Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fortunately, This Did Not Happen to You – by Mark Jordan

Dear Friend: Imagine that you are going about your daily business, maybe walking down the street, keys in hand, and just as you turn the corner you stumble upon a horrible crime, a murder. You happen to be acquainted with the victim, a former schoolmate. What’s more, as the murderer flees you recognize him asContinue reading “Fortunately, This Did Not Happen to You – by Mark Jordan”

The Ironic Tempest – by Ross Hartwell

Granite bulwarks and wrought iron barriers lay half buried in sand and mud. The sepulcher’s quiet inhabitants pulled into the sea by a hungry surf. Others survive the draw of receding breakers and lay on the lawn in confused foiled resurrection. The dead’s private, eternal time, intruded upon by the elements and wandering eyes ofContinue reading “The Ironic Tempest – by Ross Hartwell”

Bloody Beaumont: Texas’ Most Murderous Federal Penitentiary Overachieves, Living Up to Its Name – by Jason Renard Walker

“When you look at the policies and goals of the Security Management Unit, it blows my mind that there was [even] one homicide” – Jack Donson, corrections consultant and former FBOP official on violence at USP Thompson.  Edgar Garcia and Mark Snarr couldn’t have scripted the murder of Gabriel Rhone any better. Given that eachContinue reading “Bloody Beaumont: Texas’ Most Murderous Federal Penitentiary Overachieves, Living Up to Its Name – by Jason Renard Walker”

Cornflower Blues – by Ross Hartwell

Clicking and clacking, the drumsticks announce swerves, dips, bumps, and turns in the road. Now and then I look down at the gift for my brother. My adolescence would have been an excruciating feat without him, while his own tumultuous childhood was only made tolerable by the sticks perpetually glued to nerve wracked hands. InContinue reading “Cornflower Blues – by Ross Hartwell”

Above the Redwoods – by Scott D. Culp

Quite honestly I don’t believe Mr. Webster could define a more beautiful city. I’m currently living in a high-rise in downtown Redwood City, California with views that belay a generosity of spirit, rock solid values of decency, and with Old Glory and the California Bear flying high above the local V.F.W. a sense of civicContinue reading “Above the Redwoods – by Scott D. Culp”

Submarine Duty – by Scott D. Culp

Like serving in an old World War I diesel submarine that’s been depth-charged and is laying at the bottom of the ocean, the claustrophobic, re-circulated air, and little hope of the county jail provides a close estimation of your fellow prisoner under pressure. This morning I witnessed someone “who obviously has Mental Health issues” screamContinue reading “Submarine Duty – by Scott D. Culp”

The Ferrari – by Scott D. Culp

Ask any chronobiologist, “the study of innate biological rhythms,” what the vacuum of solitary confinement does to the psyche and they’ll probably refer you to the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca and his descriptions of silver miners who encountered phenomena from long term mental distress, psychic pressure from claustrophobia, and the full tempest of panic asContinue reading “The Ferrari – by Scott D. Culp”

We Are Not a Threat to the Community – by Adam Fleming

Salutations Komrades, It is imperative that I point out the ambiguous evils of North Carolina’s Department of Adult Correction (NCADC), Security Risk Group (SRG) policies and procedures. Validating prisoners as “gang members” is not only a control mechanism, but it is a derogating process that targets prisoners of color. I’m not saying that whites aren’tContinue reading “We Are Not a Threat to the Community – by Adam Fleming”