Prisons don’t like for volunteers to come to prisons to teach classes because they demonstrate a level of concern and care that the paid staff do not. So administrations make it almost impossible for willing volunteers to enter prisons, because the truth they see hurts
There's a lot of humanity behind these walls. Brothers helping each other, tending to the sick, the elderly - and mourning each other's losses. Amongst the ugliness of prison and the violence, we find many souls full of love and compassion.
HOPE PREVAILS
Check out Tony's latest article.
Media Fights for Access to Executions, But Not the Rest of the Prison System https://t.co/tyxqyEk1yN via @Filtermag_org
Some church folk come to a prison to SAVE us from hell. Once they feel that is done, they flee. What they fail to realize is we need saving from the current hell we are living. Their assistance in that could prove to be a living testimony of their faith.
We don’t touch in prison – an imaginary wall is put up between us where it’s a sin to invade the personal spaces. I miss it! At times I feel like I have the plague and people are dammed if they touch me. How I long for a caring, warm embrace - a human connection
Today when I saw a TDOC car, it caused me great pain not because I’ve done anything wrong but just the realization of knowing I’m the property of this state and not recognized as a human by this state and its laws until I die.
Tennessee wants to push gays back into the closet and nail it shut. Check out Tony's latest story about Tennessee's proposed legislation.
https://t.co/cSwj8NJVTf
In this incarcerated village I am a number - to most in the world this is all I will ever be, a few digits, like a bar code on a cracker box - a meaningless existence. But I am more - a writer, a poet, a friend, a child of God. I am not just the product of my worst memories
I want to embrace Fall - releasing the baggage built up, let it fall. May Winter freeze out new problems trying to get in. Until Spring brings new life, new hope. We can learn from nature how to deal with LIFE. Hope is one thing the state can't take away from the incarcerated
Tony Vick and I are writing a story about the advocates that participate in the vigils around executions. We would very much like your permission to use your experience in the story. You can email your thoughts or questions to me at [email protected]