July Prompt: State Leaders, Mental Health, and Incarcerated Lives

It’s been an entire year since the VA governor’s 11th hour budget amendment that denied thousands of hopeful incarcerated people and their families long-awaited relief from Virginia’s harsh practice of over sentencing. The sudden walk back combined with the already adverse conditions (i.e. the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fentanyl, etc) plaguing the penitentiary have caused serious stress for some – myself included. This elevates the every day stressors of prison life from a common occurrence that can be remedied with moderate time and care, to a contest of will that can have lethal consequences for the defeated.

The prison yard has been relatively quiet, subdued by the jerk and pull of politics and the overwhelming sense of powerlessness. Dejected prisoners have not mustered the spirit to organize in light of all the work that has been done on their behalf in the past few years. From personal experience that spans a decade and a half, prisoners do not expect things to change and the past year has reinforced feelings of injustice. These feelings have been suppressed for the most part and redistributed to expressions that firmly place prisoners deeper into prison life and further from productive, prospective ways of thinking.

For me, the past year has been a crash course in environmental influence on mental health and how this is so essential to effective rehabilitation. It has also raised an important question in my mind: How much weight do our state leaders place on the mental wellness of its incarcerated? How much weight to they place on mental wellness and public safety?

State Democrats decided not to readdress Enhance Sentence Credits in this year’s General Assembly — predicting failure to pass and further unnecessary stress on prisoners and their families. Currently, the matter of Earned Sentence Credits and the Governor’s walk back of eligibility is being heard by the VA Supreme Court. This process can take quite some time to be decided. Other alternatives to relief include: expiration of the budget amendment in June 2024 (and hopefully its not reissued by the Governor and House), or The House gains enough Second Chance members in the upcoming election to push a bill through. This form of alternative also cannot be effective till 2024.

In the meantime, what do we do about the immense mental stress that is pushing prisoners to very bleak brinks — increased agitation, physical altercations, deep depression, and drug overdoses? Each of these issues have been exacerbated by Governor Youngkin’s political agenda and toying with human lives…

-Q, July 2023

Prompt Questions (Thought Starters for the Incarcerated Population):

Can you identify any extra stress brought on by the governor’s budget amendment; for you, your environment, loved ones at home, or friends/family on the inside?
How can the state better use resources in order to address the mental health of incarcerated people?
What may be some key ways to deal with elevated stress while incarcerated?
Can you think of any alternative ways the prison community can view the legislative process to better cope with changes like that of governor Youngkin’s budget amendment?
What can we do as incarcerated people to ensure that we put the right people in office who care about our lives?

Political Skepticism!

Political skepticism is something that I have experienced and witnessed as a political prisoner. It comes from constantly being let down by your political constituents and those who have the political power to effect change. The skepticism has become a mental restraint that has kept the minorities from progressing. Why because of the lack of faith in the political powers that be. I am of the firm belief that power is an illusion. As creators we have the power or will to create our conditions. As creators and self governors, we have the ability to relinquish power by simply governing ourselves. True freedom only comes to those who have freed their minds from the mental restraints that have kept them bounded down to earthly thoughts. The right to vote is a tool for freedom that gives us a voice and the right to effect change. The change needed to help further develop our people and our communities. In order to be governed you have to consent to be governed. The political skepticism has held the minorities back as a whole because of the fact that a vast majority of minorities feel as though the system is rigged. Voting is of dire importance for the progression of minorities for the families of the incarcerated and for the tax paying citizens. Your vote matters regardless of past perceptions and beliefs. We have fell into their traps by not going out to vote, and as long as this trend continues ask yourself will we ever be free?

My name is Antoinne Pitt author of Thinking With A Purpose and C.O.A.T (Countering Overdoses and Addiction Treatment) and vice president of Vanderbilt Media House publishing company. My state # is 1157338 and I am currently being housed at Lawrenceville Correctional Center.

The Vital Right in a Democracy

“There is no more vital right in a democracy than the right to vote. Without it, no other right is secure.”

These are the words of Lawrence Goldstone, author of “Stolen Justice: The Struggle for African American Voting Rights” (Scholastic Focus: New York, 2020). This invaluable book should be required reading for all who are currently in the struggle for voting rights because people not only need to know what they are fighting for, but, they equally need to know about whom they are fighting against. Many people in the struggle for voting rights get so caught up in the here and now that they lose sight of the events that lead to the here and now. In other words, in order to fully understand disenfranchisement today, one must fully understand the historical mindset of those who made it their generational mission to disenfranchise African Americans, and to understand how each generation has it’s own methods by which it use’s to achieve that mission.

The methods used are well documented, but, many today are unaware of the magnitude of those methods, and how those methods brought the American voting system to the brink of collapse.

In 1890, J. J. Chrisman, a Mississippian judge, took pride in declaring: “In plan words, we have been stuffing the ballot boxes, committing perjury, and here and there . . . carrying the elections by fraud and violence until the whole machinery for elections was about to rot down.”

Malcolm X once said: “As time changes, your methods for achieving your objectives must change.”

Mr. Goldstone informs us that by 1900, all of the old Confederate States were in agreement that the time had come to change their methods in by which to deny African Americans the full and equal right of citizenship. He quotes an Alabama lawmaker as saying: “We cannot afford to live with our feet upon fraud. We will not do it. We have disfranchised the African in the past by doubtful methods, but in the future we will do so by law.”

The political events taking place throughout America today are the methods employed more than a hundred years ago by those seeking to continue the course of disenfranchisement.

I have been incarcerated for the past 33 years, and like so many incarcerated men and women, there was a time when I believed that politics (particularly voting) was a waste of time. Thankfully I have matured in my historical and political understanding when it comes to voting. When we do not vote, or at least participate in the process in some way, we become accomplice’s in our own disenfranchisement.

I am currently employed by the Virginia Correctional Enterprise (VCE) where we print letterheads, pamphlets, brochures, businesses cards, and other stationary for State institutions, colleges and universities and nonprofits throughout the State. VCE also supplies the State with it’s Voter Registration Applications. Due to my status as a convicted felon, I can’t vote. However, I find comfort and satisfaction in doing something that helps others in registering to vote. It gives me a sense of inclusiveness and a sense of pride because I feel like I’m a part of the process. Also, I feel like I’m keeping Dr. King’s dream alive when he said:

“Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

In closing, I want to leave you with this food for thought:

All of your rights and all of your privileges, as an American citizen, are contained in your right to vote. To forgo or relinquish that right puts all of your rights and privileges in jeopardy. We in the present owe a debt to all who fought for the cause of suffrage in the past. Let us not be unmindful of that obligation. Let us not let their suffering be in vain.

Peace and Blessings to all.

Anthony Maurice Jordan #1161827
Beaumont Correctional Center

Voting: What Does It Really Cost?

Webster defines voting as: a choice or opinion of a person or body of person. A method by which groups of people make decisions.

If the 15th amendment of the United States Constitution states that the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. And also The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a law passed to help enforce the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Which states an American citizen shall not be denied the right to vote due to race or skin color.

Why does every convicted felon in Virginia lose this sacred and honorable right? To automatically loss this right after being convicted of a felony offense speaks volume.

In many states, Virginia included; termination of the right to vote by convicted felons is automatic. This actually demonstrates how powerful voting is.

Just think you can be convicted of drinking and driving, serve time for reckless driving. God forbids you can injure or even kill someone, however your right to purchase alcohol isn’t terminated. The penalty for these acts could be a suspension of driving privileges for a period of time and fines. Some cases could result in jail time.

Yes, there’s a process for the restoration of voting rights. But we’re seeing how this process has become politically fueled and motivated.

So that would lead one to ask the question why terminate the right to vote?

Terminating this right actually silence you. You lose the right to have a say in major events. Many of these events are life changing.

We’re seeing in our divided democracy the increase momentum to limit accessed to voting. While watching some of our leaders spew false voting claim’s after being defeated.

We now have a part of society that believes that voting doesn’t matter. Many citizens fail to vote thinking their votes don’t count.

However just think “Roe v Wade” was repealed by the United States Supreme Court. This was after poor voting turn out led to a particular party winning control. Which afforded this party the right to appoint judges of their similar ideologies to the United States Supreme Court. Please realize that these lifetime appointments have dire consequences, with very limited oversight.

If “Roe v Wade” in 1973 can be repealed what’s next?
For many years the right to vote was a major issue.
I’m embarrassed and ashamed that I lost something that cost someone else so dearly.
However I look forward to regaining this sacred and honorable right.
We all must really pay close attention to the political climate in our divided country.

Just turn on your nightly news, advertisements, PACTS. As well as the billionaire donors. Everyone knows how important each vote is.

Many know how important power is. We’re seeing how even our freedom is often control by which party is in control.

We watched one party abolished parole while another attempted several reinstatement measures. Now our freedom is pending in the courts. With no one stopping to ask ” have we been rehabilitated.”
I agree there must be balance and accountability. There’s many behind theses walls deserving of another chance.

So please VOTE!!!! From our local election to the national election. Every vote matters. Failing to vote eliminates your voice.

If others are fighting so hard to take this right away we should see how important voting is.

And look at the large amount of money that is spent during election seasons. Its mind boggling to think millions are spent during elections, while citizens are homeless and hungry.

Again to all my brothers and sisters behind these walls please make it a priority to inform your family and friends to vote. So what does voting cost: YOUR FREEDOM! And your VOICE!!!!!

Samuel E Harris #1026738
Lawrenceville Correctional Center

Captive, A Poem

don’t go turning sour
just because you’re around someone with power
the man of the hour
sitting in his fancy chair
in his fancy office, like some big tall tower
while robbing everyone bare
the system never plays fair
it gives us all gray hairs
leads us astray
trying to mold us like clay
to play their little games
blames us, its all our fault
but its all a result
of them trying to keep us in check
keeping their foot on our necks.

My name is Jennifer Zukerman. I’m currently at Fluvanna correctional center in Virginia.
This is my first incarceration and I got caught up in a very bad crowd that led me here. I’m glad to say that I’ve used this time to better myself and really analyze my decision making. I’ve found myself in my writing/ poetry. I really love to write and hopefully publish a book one day.

A Reflection: IN A PRISONER’S EYES

By David Bomber

One of my fondest memories was playing an extra in the movie “War of the Worlds.” As it turned out, I played the role of a survivor who, among others, was migrating to God knows where after the aliens invaded.

Basically, the filming entailed walking around in a field for two days in which we pretty much froze! However, my efforts did garner me a few precious seconds in the movie. Of course, you have to know where to look but I can honestly point me out. Nevertheless, it was an exhilarating experience considering that I was able to rub elbows with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, and Dakota Fanning.
The thing that I loved most about the entire experience was that there was no judgement, no “I’m better than you” attitude from these celebrities. In their eyes, we were an integral part of the production of the movie and it was obvious that sentiment meant a lot to us extras.

In comparison, there is a greater sense of gratitude in knowing that there are people, such as yourself, who invest their time and energy in a platform that truly benefits and inspires someone such as myself, who is incarcerated.

In a prisoner’s eyes, it is you who is truly distinguished and notable and words cannot adequately express the gratitude that someone who is imprisoned has for your willingness to interact with them and show your support.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you would like to contact me, feel free to reach out to me via my enclosed contact info. below.

To email me directly, please visit http://www.jpay.com and submit Virginia ID #1130793 (Jpay is a service that the Virginia D.O.C. utilizes for prisoner communications with the public)(Note: this service does require users to purchase virtual stamps in order to send messages).

In the alternative, you can reach me via email at davidbomber99@outlook.com or davidbomber73@yahoo.com (Note: these accounts are managed by a third party and may take some time to receive messages from them).

To connect with me on social media:
https://linktr.ee/freedavidbomber

To join the conversation about my case:
#freedavidbomber

To contact me via snail mail:
David Bomber #1130793
Nottoway Correctional Center
P.O. Box 488
Burkeville, Va. 23922

A Poem: “If Never, Forever”

If ever our lives and minds free our hearts and souls,

Will you dance with me to their rhythm…
and sing with me their song?

If ever our fears and scars relent,
free of lament…

Will you brave the abyss with me
and give me respite upon your shores?

If ever the rains stop falling and the clouds dissipate,

Will you spend the night awing with me over starry seas,

And ride the breeze through trembling leaves of whispering trees?

If ever your eyes see me here,
down on my knees,
this blood on my hands,
oath on my lips,
cheeks wet with tears,

Will you lift me into your fire,
and fill the air with smoke and ash of burnt desire?

If forever ever ends,

Will you never let me know… never let me go…

And, with each new dawning day,
only ever say a hushed ‘hello’?

-Bernie Ranson, Lawrenceville Correctional

Background: I recently wrote this for my ex, but she filed for divorce before I could send it… I think it might illustrate the longing and yearning experienced by so many effected by the division and separation of prison – both inside and out.

A Poem: I Still Wasn’t FREE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I pray that you and your loved ones are well, and I pray that The Creator continues to bless you with the strength and the passion to continue fighting the good fight for us all. My Government is Timothy Terry, but my true attribute is Tyro Imhotep Na’Mapenzi, and I have been behind the wall for twenty years. Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I will always do what I can to add on to what you all are doing for us in the name of true Liberation. Please accept my submission that expresses what FREEDOM means to me. I pray that my words are able to ignite at least one soul. Thank you for giving me an outlet, and I hope to hear from you soon. Peace and Blessings to you.

From every mountainside, let FREEDOM ring –
For us…for me…
What does FREEDOM mean?
FREEDOM means life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all –
Except those who fall…
For a portion of their lives behind the proverbial wall –
Then it becomes U.S. vs. “y’all”.
Take away my name, and expect me to respond to whatever I’m called…like a dog.
A lost cause?
Naw! Because even though the Beast clamped me in its jaws, I refuse to sit –
And rot in the belly of this Beast – only to come out the other end as a piece of s#it.
FREEDOM is a state of being, a new way of seeing –
Me, myself, and I…
And why –
I am…strong enough to defy the gravity of a few lines –
Describing a crime that fails to define;
How my diligent effort over time has refined my state of mind.
Forged by solitude and deep depression –
…and a want to do better…
Self-reflection, honest introspection, inspecting
Every corner and crevice of my attic
Longing to be more than some recovering drug addict –
Who had it all but took it for granted.
See, when I was out there on the street
I still wasn’t FREE –
Because I tried to snort every line of coke and smoke every tree –
Trying to flee to any retreat I believed would get me…
Away from … me.
For the only reality I could see appeared to be –
A dead E-N-D.
So I craved to be released…
Only to find that true FREEDOM does not begin –
On the outside, but starts from from within.
FREEDOM means being strong enough to take a stance and give/
Yourself a chance to live.
Redemption can only be found in the most unusual places/
Through the most unlikely of cases –
Change is inevitable, so I choose embrace it/
And whatever is sacrificed for the sake of growth, I realize something better will always replace it.
No more bondage, no more oppression/
No more stinkin’ thinkin’, or penned-up aggression/
No more need for me to remain in the custody of a department who doesn’t know a damn thing about corrections.
FREEDOM means being able to enjoy the best things in life/
FREE at home with my children and my wife/
With no extra hype or unwarranted stereotypes.
FREE to move throughout the country from state to state –
FREE to breathe fresh air without having to wait.
Speaking of ‘weight’, FREEDOM is the boss of the bench press –
Because FREEDOM is strong enough to lift the weight of oppression from my chest.
So I can finally rest without having to stress/
About what unknown personality will be my bunkee next?

Tyro Imhotep Na’Mapenzi
(T. Terry) #1139218
Baskerville Correctional Center

Oppressing the Already Oppressed

I’d like to start this with addressing each one of the promo questions as my spring entry! it will be my completely biased opinions.

For starters, when it comes to “Political Skepticism” I’m personally effected by this tendency. Personally, on a year-to-year basis or four-by-4 basis, when it comes to the presidential election, I feel completely left out ever since I lost my voting rights in 2015. It’s almost as if part of my citizenship was taken away, regardless of the fact that I still pay taxes, love my country, and even stand behind “some” of her systems. I’m only subjected to a few of the beautiful things she has to offer her normal citizens. That is one thing that makes me “Politically Skeptical,” because all politics are supposed to be for the people of her country! Am I not a person of this country? This could lead to the touchy topic of the 13th amendment and the 3/5th laws. but that’s a latter discussion.

When it comes to Glenn Youngkin’s move to take away automatic expungement without letting the people of the Commonwealth know, seems to me to look like another way to oppress the already oppressed. Or in other terms, keeping people down who are already down for mistakes made when they were younger. And refusing to ever give them another shot at the beautiful thing America calls “freedom.” It is really sad how it keeps his pockets fat from receiving funds from the federal government for housing state inmates.
Not being able to vote myself, I’d like to eventually have my voting rights restored so my little ripple can turn into waves in America’s lake.

In the meantime I can help further educate people who are able to currently vote and getting the severity of the matter through to them. Whether they are 18 or 80, they’re needed for a better future! This would be my way of getting involved, even know I’m not fully able to participate.

Finally, America would truly benefit from knowing what she wanted if every citizen was able to vote!

Thank you for your patience, and your time is greatly appreciated as well!

Jaime Reinard
Harrisonburg, VA

What Would FREEDOM Look Like If I Was Able to Vote?

I am one out of thousands in the Department of Corrections that’s convicted of a Felony.
I am one out of thousands ineligible to vote in the upcoming election.
I am one out of thousands who believes that all votes matter.
I’m just one….

We took action during the General Assembly and educated our families on Senate Bills and House Bills that could give us the opportunity to gain our FREEDOM back. Bills such as Second Look, Parole, Earned Sentence Credit, Fish back, Juvenile Parole and Geriatric.

We encouraged our families to let their voices be heard and show up in support at the Virginia Prison Justice Network rally, Second Look Lobby Day and to contact Delegates like Don Scott, Marcus Simon, Vivian Watts, James Leftwich and the list goes on.

We stood with 40 Strong, Sistas in Prison Reform, ACLU, Humanization Project, Nolef Turns and Coalition For Justice in solidarity at Monroe Park. Not only did our families have the opportunity to let the years and decades of missing us be felt through their expressed words, Democrats and Republicans were able to see the faces of the ones who care for us dearly. Our families presence, emails, letters and voices roared for us and left a mark. They now know that we matter and that our families are standing with us in this FREEDOM fight.

This FREEDOM fight to be able to vote….

This FREEDOM fight to be able to be free….

This FREEDOM fight to be able to be looked at as a civilized human being, instead of the felonies that come across the screen when they type in our names along with that seven digit number that belongs to the state.

This FREEDOM fight to be able to feel the impact from thousands of convicted felons if we were eligible to vote, be successful in filling the one hundred seats up for reelection in the Virginia House of Representatives, with legislators who believe that bills need to be voted in to give a mass amount who have earned it, another chance at FREEDOM.

This FREEDOM fight just to be able….

I am one out of thousands who knows what FREEDOM will look like to me.

FREEDOM….

FREEDOM will allow me to be there physically as that male model for my sons and daughters.
FREEDOM will allow me to be able to encourage my daughter that she is as smart as any teenager in her school.
FREEDOM will allow me to be there to show my sons that its so much more to them and to be who they dream to be.
FREEDOM will allow me to be able to walk with my daughter on campus and listen to her tell me about her major.
FREEDOM will give me the opportunity to show that I’m far from that young man that walked through those revolving doors.

FREEDOM will allow me to be able to show I’ve grown and that Yusef Hasan Sykes Sr., from Newport News, Virginia has become a writer for Prison Journalism Project, the author of Caught Up, Belly of The Beast(Being Revised), Soulmates Aishah & Muhammad, Recovery, NASEERF on Amazon, a writer in the Virginia Techs Center for Humanities Unlocked Vol.2 Winter 2023 journal on Amazon, a two time graduate from Stratford Career Institute in Plumbing and Creative Writing and the list goes on.

June 11th will mark 17 years that I’ve been incarcerated and over the time I’ve learned that change doesn’t happen overnight, but as long as we stand in solidarity together and remain relentless, we can’t be denied.
When the General Assembly met early this year we sent emails and made phone to our families to inform them about the bills being raised and events to attend. When the General Assembly met early this year we wrote, The Governor, Lt. Governor, Delegates and Republicans in support of bills being raised. Our efforts and our family’s efforts made a difference, but we still have a long way to go. This November, we have to put even more effort towards filling the one hundred seats in the Virginia House of Representatives. Families have to be contacted to inform them about the ones going up to be elected and about the rally’s during that time. We can’t wait until November, we have to start now. When the General Assembly met, I was relentless and I will continue to be relentless and encourage my family members to vote and let their voices continue to be heard.

In solidarity, we stand with Brilliance Behind Bars….

Yusef Hasan Sykes Sr.
Freedom Fighter
River North Correctional Center, #1199406