America’s prison population has exploded over the last few decades. The reasons are many, often exposing numerous social ills. Recently, a number of measures have been put …
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America’s prison population has exploded over the last few decades. The reasons are many, often exposing numerous social ills. Recently, a number of measures have been put forth in an attempt to ameliorate a situation that impacts many beyond the years of their sentence.
While individuals involved in grievous criminal activity need to be stopped, many presently incarcerated are there for issues stemming from mental health or drug use concerns. In short, prison has become a macabre social service provider. The system was not built to function in such a way.
This piece is an attempt to share a few thoughts about what it is like having a family member in prison. Feelings of shame, guilt, fear and worry abound. Also, there are few places to go to discuss things with others.
While fully acknowledging that ‘wrongs’ have been committed, what’s next? The following poem depicts one father’s struggle to reach his son, as well as find a way to help him become a productive member of society.
The Visit
The line is long.
The evening’s cold.
I’m here again
and feeling old.
The faces, familiar.
The smiles, quite sad.
They’re here as part family.
I’m here as a Dad.
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
Something went wrong,
it’s now time to pay.
Today is confession day
at the temple of despair–
the clergy carry night sticks
for the souls living there.
Where the pews are never empty
and sermons are preached
by Saints making profit
on sinner’s need for bleach.
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
Something went wrong,
it’s now time to pay.
For those now to enter
next comes the charade
past metal detectors
that lead the parade.
Then herded to tables
as loved ones shuffle in
dressed in their khakis
and forcing a grin.
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
Something went wrong,
it’s now time to pay.
The visit goes quickly,
each trying our best –
ignoring the feelings
that are put to the test.
“Why do we do this”,
others will ask?
You do it because
there are tears neath the mask .
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
Something went wrong,
it’s now time to pay.
The ride home is long
and you think to back when
your son played in the yard
with a bunch of his friends.
But, the world continues,
unaware of the place
where a loved one is living
searching for grace.
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
Something went wrong,
it’s now time to pay.
The barbed wire cathedral
now fades from our view–
yet etching dark memories
in all that we do.
And we wait for calls,
or the next day’s mail,
all with full knowledge
for us there’s no bail.
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
Something went wrong,
it’s now time to pay.
Tears fall at night,
in attempts to atone,
for building those prisons
we all share alone.
Yet, the contrivances of men
have all come to naught,
for redemption is given
and can never be bought.
Refrain
He’s just a kid,
that’s what they say.
We all have done wrong
so please let us pray.
When an individual is sentenced to prison the impact exceeds the act. Often forgotten is the impact on those who care for the wrongdoer. Often forgotten is the impact on minority populations as well as those struggling with issues previously mentioned. The call here is not to ignore or minimize crime. The call here is to take an honest view at the fairness and effectiveness of our prison system.
Finding ways to creatively address those who have committed non-violent crimes would go a long way in lessening our prison population, as well as the residual effects brought on by a criminal record. It makes financial sense. It makes common sense. Most of all it makes sense to attempt bringing offenders back into society as viable members. This entails work on behalf of the system as well as the offender. It is a step worth taking.
Robert Houghtaling is director of the East Greenwich Drug Program and a long time contributor to these pages.
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