Reflections: Inside Prison Walls

The bus pulls through the gate and stops. The guards watch as the women exit the vehicle. It is difficult coming down the steps because they are shackled together and if one falls then they all will. The prisoners are ushered through a heavy gate and told to stand quietly.

She heard the harsh clang of the heavy metal gate as it closed behind her. The sound tore at her very soul in way that threatened to make her cry out. She looked at the enormous block walls with barbed wire stretched across the top. This couldn't be real. It had to be a nightmare. Oh, but it was so real, in fact this would be her reality for the next 10 years. She was behind the gate and inside the prison walls. Freedom was just a memory and hope just another word.

Inside the prison walls is where loneliness and fear live. It is the place where the dredges of society are ware-housed until they die or are released on that magic date set up by the courts. Inside the prison walls is where some lose whatever humanity they have and others may find their salvation. Some will become victims and others will become or continue to be predators. Unholy alliances will be formed for protection of those who are weak. unlikely unions will take place that wouldn't happen anywhere else. It can be a very frighting place inside the prison walls.

She is strip searched and issued what will be her prison attire. 2 pairs of blue denim pants and 2 blue cotton shirts. 1 pair of canvas tennis shoes and a heavy denim jacket. Next she is escorted to the receiving unit where she will be housed until she is classified as to whether she will be in maximum, medium or minimum security housing. this may take a few weeks. The cell is small with a set of bunk beds, a toilet,a sink and 2 shelves. Her cellmate is sleeping on the lower bunk so she begins to quietly make her bed with the sheets and the wool blanket that was issued to her. No pillow, That was a luxury she would have to do without.

Tears rolled out of her eyes as she sat on the upper bunk and fought against the horrific ache inside her. Why had it come to this? Why didn't she just do what was right instead of always choosing the more exciting rebellious path? Always wanting the bad boy's and the Champagne and cocaine life style. Well, she lived the way she wanted and now it is time to pay the cost. Knowing that doesn't make it any easier, It just lets her know that it really wasn't worth the consequences that she will be paying for a long, long time.

"Oh God, how will I survive so many years in this place?" She silently cries out in her soul. Then she lies down and weeps softly as she spends the first of so many nights inside prison walls.