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The sun was just settling as I stepped out of the block and onto the concrete walk leading to the main corridor. It put a pale pink glow along the underbelly of the overcast clouds. The rec yard was packed with prisoners from the many cell blocks surrounding it. That’s where everyone had gone, off to get the latest gossip or do some piece of business, to gamble, to fight, to struggle through their little lives on this little square of desert surrounded by high walls, high-voltage fences and gun towers.
Many people paying attention to the story of Ross lately, and it's sitting heavy with me especially after taking in this piece of writing. That Ross would write the color of the sky with such care, I think it's very tender. Great article.
I had grown used to it, or numb to it, but the first time I saw a man locked in a cell, I recoiled. Several emotions had hit me at once: desire to help him, to get him out of his predicament, fear of the awesome power of the system that kept him there, resignation that I could do nothing in that moment, then justification: he must deserve to be there, though I had no idea who he was.
But when I saw Digby, and he saw me, I just saw my knucklehead neighbor from my old cell block.
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121 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek 6 Aug
Thanks for sharing. I didn't know Ross has a substack!
“How much time you got left?” I asked.
“Four years.”
“That’s not bad. How old are you?”
“I’m 22.”
This hit me. I am currently thinking a lot about how I am old and young at the same time. This passage reminded me of how I felt when I was 22 and that me at 22 wouldn't have been able to imagine how different I would feel in just a few years. What Ross said after this is so true even though it's hard to believe when you're in it.
Additionally, this article reminded me of With the Old Breed. Reading that book made me very grateful that I didn't have to go through what Eugene went through. Reading this is similar since it also contains details of a very different life. They are often written in a mundane way but that's exactly what make them so special for me as the reader: the mundanity helps me to empathize. Examples are someone asking you to smuggle something or having to do suicide watch.
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I’ll confess I had no idea he had a Substack. I’m reading it now, it’s really good. His mental strength and spirit is very inspiring.
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I dont want to be critical, but I wonder why he has access to the internet. Especially someone who is a cybercriminal?
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everyone should have the internet
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I guess prisons have free wifi?
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restricted access to computers... you don't know much about prison
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I have seen Shawshank Redemption and Oz on HBO.
I am an expert
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Yeah, I have no idea about prison. I realize computers must be restricted. You cant have LAN parties in prison.
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I have no idea about prison
I stopped watching Oz after one episode because it gave me PTSD
Me either. I bet there are long lines to use the computer and the internet. Do you think they have dial up?
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Thanks for finding and posting this.
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The concept that a person can procreate in captivity or, so to speak, being a prisoner is quite extensive... your senses are sharpened... and you give observation and detail to everything that surrounds you... and be able to see a different color or glow The darkness is something exciting... many good books are and were written by people who were trapped somewhere... whether it be a physical prison with bars... or a mental prison which is worse since the executioner is the thought... that never stops drilling into your mind... and writing or reading becomes a good outlet...
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I will keep reading his entries. Gives you a perspective of being in captivity.
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