The Nation’s Correctional Staffing Crisis: The Toll on Incarcerated People

Recently, the editor of Brilliance Behind Bars was called before the U.S. Senate to give testimony on the understaffing crisis effecting prisons nationwide. She represented our interests with great compassion and much needed perspective. It is now our turn to support her efforts with our own experiences and insights. Let’s allow the public a real glimpse into our struggle as incarcerated people living in a prison understaffed…

For decades, prison has been held as an institution designed to mete out punishment to “evil-doers.” As time has progressed, so too did the caricature of the inhuman prisoner within the social conscience of the public. This depiction has led to a dangerous lack of concern for prisoner security, treatment, and adequate staffing to conduct daily, essential operations.

In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, no areas of industry was left unscathed by understaffing issues. But there is a stark difference between the need for fast food service workers to tighten up lapses between combo meals served to various customers and the need for correctional staff to maintain the order and operation of a coercive institution and its hundreds of long-term residents.

Correctional facilities are more akin to state hospital and nursing homes fundamentally, being that its residents are forced to stay in such facilities. Residents of these type of facilities are solely dependent on the facility to provide critical medical care and treatment programs designed to aid in social and psychological health and development.

Given that prisons are institutions filled with residents living in close quarter communities, lack of proper staff often leaves responsibilities of security and treatment to fall to the hands of other prisoners. I, myself, have even had to serve as an interim first responder during medical emergencies involving other incarcerated. Ironically, the institution has enacted policies to deter the incarcerated from lending aid to others, but have yet to solve the very real crisis of understaffing in prisons in this state and nationwide. Also worthy of recognition is the incarcerated community’s drive to create treatment programs amongst themselves in spite of the lack thereof provided by the facility.

It is well documented that some private corporations have exploited the widely accepted practice of understaffing prisons in order to increase their profit margins. Although, we cannot exclude the fact that this was made possible by governments diverting interest in funding prisons as institutions of rehabilitation, and opting to view prisons as human warehouses for the disadvantaged. This is a framing that is more favorable to the rhetoric on the economic benefit than actual social benefit. Also, it’s no secret that working in a prison isn’t the most desirable work environment.

2020 did not cause prisons to be dangerously understaffed. 2020 only unveiled a deep-rooted practice that has been the void of compassion for human life for over 25 years in the making. The current state of prisons in America are echoes of the prison ‘reforms’ of ’95. Thirty years later, we clearly see the product of debased political agendas and public susceptibility to crime-based propaganda. That is, mass incarceration, a nationwide prison understaffing crisis, and instability socially and economically.

Note: I do not wish to end this writing without stating how very proud I am of each and every one of the incarcerated who have utilized their time and effort seeking not only the rehabilitation of themselves, but also that of their fellow incarcerated. Each member of the incarcerated population was forced into this situation and have so much stacked up against them, but these individuals have maintained the strength in spirit and the depth of human will that is undeniably world-changing. I pray that each one of you find your freedom physically one day, because you have already achieved a level of freedom mentally that few will ever experience.

Your spirit is tried and your spirit is, without a shadow of a doubt, TRUE. You are the torchbearers–your light leads the way through some of the thickest darkness known to the civilized world…

Love and Peace,
Q

Prompt: As mentioned above, we want to know about your experiences. Feel free to free-write, or to use the thought starter questions below:
1. How has short staffing affected your livelihood as an incarcerated individual?
2. What do you think is the cause of understaffing of prisons nationwide?
3. Are there any highlights of positivity that you have witnessed during your incarceration in regards to staffing?

10 TOES DOWN

by Lord Serious

During the pandemic I began noticing an increase in the number of inmates nodding out in the pod. I had seen this behavior before, and I was aware that it was one of the many side effects of abusing opioids. I even remember the first death I encountered due to an opioid overdose. It happened a few years before the pandemic while I was at Lawrenceville Correctional Center. The deceased was an older White inmate who lived in the cell next door to me, everyone called him Bullwinkle.

He didn’t fit the stereotypical image of an addict; what I mean is that there was nothing in Bullwinkle’s appearance or behavior that would confirm the biased mind’s expectations that this he was an abuser of narcotics. Perhaps this is why I was caught so off guard when things transpired the way they did. Bullwinkle appeared normal and upbeat most days. He showed no signs of being under the influence of any substances when I interacted with him. Though our exchanges were brief and usually involved a greeting and a few polite words as we passed each other entering and exiting our respective cells. Nevertheless, the memory of that night when he was found unresponsive in his cell remains fresh in my mind.

I remember his cellmate being frantic. He wanted my cellmate to help revive him with ice while he found somewhere to hide his knife. Unfortunately, Bullwinkle was in bad shape and his cellmate had no choice but to alert staff knowing full well he would be sent to solitary and placed under investigation for Bullwinkle’s death. I remember the correctional officers and nurses rushing in. The officer’s began locking the pod down while they escorted Bullwinkle’s cellmate away in handcuffs.

About 15 minutes later the paramedics had arrived with a gurney and a defibrillator. They tried to revive Bullwinkle for about 20 minutes before pronouncing him dead. His cell had now become his temporary tomb, Bullwinkle’s body would remain there for it’s interment until the medical examiner could arrive. A correctional officer was given the duty to guard the cell until the body was exhumed and evidence could be collected. I lay in my bunk that night being lulled to sleep by the officer’s radio chatter. I awoke the next morning to find both the guard and Bullwinkle’s body gone. They each had been replaced by the crime scene tape that made a giant “X” across the cell door.

Unfortunately, Bullwinkle would not be the last inmate to die from an overdose while in VDOC custody. There are many other inmates whom I knew personally who have also had the misfortune of turning their prison sentence into a death sentence, because they were not given access to the necessary treatment to heal their disease. Yes, addiction is a disease, and like any other mental health disease those who suffer from it should not be denied treatment. Neither is it appropriate to expect addicts to have enough willpower to stop using on their own. Empathy is a super power and one sign of higher intelligence for social creatures. Addicts are people who are suffering and they deserve help whether they are free or incarcerated.

Many men I knew and respected have become opioid addicts in prison. I have watched men with the brightest minds, and those with the strongest bodies lose their personal battle with addiction and die from an overdose. These men all had release dates. They all had families who looked forward to their return home some day. They were husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers.

Although they may not have all had the best relationships with their family, I’m certain they were all loved by someone. However, I don’t think all of them were transparent with their loved ones about their struggles with addiction. A lot of these men had no history of using opioids, they didn’t come to prison as opioid abusers. But there was something different about being incarcerated during the pandemic that made prison even more intolerable and unbearable.

All visitation was cancelled, but somehow more fentanyl kept coming into the prison everyday. Shortages of staff required institutional lockdowns which meant we could not use the phone to call home. When we did finally reestablish phone contact we were devastated to learn that a close friend or family member had contracted the virus, or worse, someone we knew had died.

We witnessed inmates show signs of being infected knowing full well that a staff member had to be responsible for introducing the pathogen into our closed environment. Each day our anxiety and depression had us on edge. The fear and uncertainty we experienced behind these concrete walls and razor wire fences had all it our fight or flight responses on full alert.

But there was no escape, and no relief in sight. Due to staff shortages the prisoners basically ran this institution. Prisoners conducted the feeding, prisoners distributed mail, and prisoners began oppressing other prisoners. During the pandemic gang melees and knife fights were happening daily and most went unreported and undocumented. We were all depressed, scared, and angry, but those who couldn’t withstand the psychological stress any longer sought refuge in drugs as a means to escape.

I was aware of the decline of our morale. Something had to be done, but I really didn’t know what I could do to change it. However, I began to notice a pattern in these addicts behavior. In the beginning of their drug abuse most of them tried to conceal it. They were conscious of who was around when they bought or used. They took great pains to prevent people from gossiping about them using narcotics. But when they began to publicly nod out in the pod it was, because their addiction had reached the point where they no longer were in control.

I approached my building’s Unit Manager T. Green about allowing me to teach a drug program. She responded, “Boughton they’ve cancelled all programs in the gym because they are using the gym to quarantine sick offenders.” “Green I don’t need to teach the program in the gym,” I countered, “I could teach the program in the pods.” Green replied, “But they don’t want offenders gathering in large groups due to social distancing.

When the new warden arrived I was told that within a staff meeting Tatum acknowledged that there was a drug epidemic occurring here at L.V.C.C, and he was open to any suggestions on how to solve this problem. Unit Manager Green thought of me and informed Warden Tatum that she had offender’s in her building who had offered to teach drug programs. Unit Manager Green asked me to submit a proposal. At the time though I didn’t actually have my own drug program. I was only seeking to be a co-facilitator of Twan-P’s, Coping Opioid Addiction Treatment (C.O.A.Ts) program. I submitted the proposal on behalf and the C.O.A.Ts program and Twan-P and I anxiously awaited the Wardens response.

It would be about another year before 81 pod would be converted into a peer led interactive community with a heavy focus on drug rehabilitation. It would be called “My Next Step” by this time Twan-P no longer wished to participate. Therefore, I decided to develop my own drug program to teach to the inmates who were housed in the “My Next Step” pod. I enlisted the help of my brother Poetic Life Allah (Jefferson Elie) and together we co-created the 10 TOES DOWN PROGRAM.

I will include a few reviews from some of the guys who participated in our program. I must note that many of the participants only reference me, because Unit Manager Green would only allow me to facilitate 10 TOES DOWN program. However, Poetic’s contribution though behind the scenes was essential to it’s success. And I have taken the liberty to edit the spelling and grammatical errors to make it easier for the reader to understand the message they each wished to convey:

**************************
Wayne Boyd #1139264
Pod 80-81 (103)
[Wayne committed suicide by hanging himself in the cell after leaving the “My Next Step” pod]

My name is Wayne Boyd when I first came to pod 81 I was very very, frustrated because I felt that I didn’t belong in this pod for what it was supposed to be; it’s purpose was for helping to get you right in other words. It wasn’t until one day I sat down in a group called (10 Toes Down), that’s when I became awaken to many issues I had hiding deep inside of my emotions which I was so not in tune with. Lord Serious with the awakening with his 10 Toes Down helped me to uncover some of my deep emotions, which needed to be addressed. He has helped me to heal some of the pain to be addressed of my deep situation of time and pain. We all need steps like this to help (us) all!! (10 Toes Down) yes its new that’s what makes it an awakening calling!! Just come and sit and listen to its calling. With that I leave you with we all need 10 Toes Down calling…
Truly yours!
W. Boyd

*************

The Ten Toes Down program has given me a lot of insight into myself & my addiction. It has changed me to deal with the Mental & Emotional issues that fuel my addiction. It taught me about Meta-Cognition & Cognitive dissonance. And how becoming consciously aware of these things is the beginning process in taking charge of my thought’s & my life. It then gave me techniques to Eliminate, Substitute, & Heal my addiction. At this point in the program I accepted the unpleasant consequences of my own actions & that my current reality is the by product of my choices and decisions. It was here that the seed of Recovery was planted. Yet I was unsure on how to tend to it, so it’d grow healthy? That’s when Lord Serious taught me how to cultivate that seed: #1) self-encouragement or from my support system, #2) think critically about the situation, #3) apply breathing techniques to control my emotions, #4) renew my commitment to my recovery, and #5) do something positive & productive to get my mind off my urge to use.

The Ten Toes Down program is founded upon sound principles that are meant to help the addict that still suffers. Its lessons are simple, yet when applied the results are profound. And I accredit my sobriety to Lord Serious & his Ten Toes Down program.

-SINCERELY ME-
DAWAIN HOPKINS (signature) #1060602 81-109

*********

The Ten Toes Down class has helped me in more ways than first thought it would. Even when I was in the hole I found myself thinking of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It gave me a purpose even if for that moment. Before the Drug Program started back I still felt that Ten Toes Down lead me on the right track. It helped me sustain and gave me an outlet to something more. Thanks for the opportunity to even take Ten Toes Down. It shall continue.

Demons Tilantai Houchens
Cell-114 #1437799

************

213 R. Slayton
1176244
10 TOES DOWN

Mr. Boughton has been with us through all the ups and downs of the program. He showed up even after the program was cancelled.

He does his research on the subjects he presents and delivers them with a relevant twist. He has a loyal following because he brings positive messages to the group.

He is a good leader, not because we believe in him, but because he believes in us.

Sincerely,
(signature)
Robert Slayton

*****************************

8/30/23
I used to feel lost, disoriented, and off center for many years at L.V.C.C. I have been in every building up here at least once. In summary I reached rock bottom while serving time in prison. I volunteered to come to 81, while in 62 strung out and going home then in 5 months. I volunteered to come in a non-privilged pod. I met Lord Serious at 10 Toes Down p.m. Monday – Thursday class and instantly knew I was in the presence of an extremely gifted, intelligent, passionate, caring, empathetic teacher and guide. He donated his time, service and more to a group of willing participants with nothing to personally gain. His genuine concern mixed with knowledge and methodical breakdown of lessons inspired me to never miss a single class of his. I have learned about meta-cognition, cognitive behavior, behavioral science, and so much more. I honestly can say he rescued my mind from the chaos by organizing my thoughts with conscious tools and techniques. I now am proud of my current reality and my vision of my future is so bright that it blinds others when expressed. I prefer his methods of teaching, explaining and breakdown over any other. I owe him my future and will never be able to articulate my gratitude. Peace to the God !!
U
Jacob Harris
#1199267
#109

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THANK YOU – 10 TOES DOWN

Lord Serious, I thank you for bringing 10 Toes Down in my life. You came when you didn’t have to, every day you made your way into our lives. Life of mistakes, life of drug use, when you didn’t do drugs at all. You brought your heart and your love to let us know you cared about us doing these drugs that were killing us. How we can use these tools of 10 Toes Down to better our lives; and how we can reach out to people we hurt because of drugs, and let them know how we’re sorry, and how drugs messed our life up. But now we are going to use these tools – these tools of 10 Toes Down for life.

Cause my life matters. Q. Walton
And I love myself. #1077474

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10 Toes Down means a lot to me, because when I came into 81 pod Mr. J. R. Boughton reached out to me and showed me that I really had a drug problem that I thought couldn’t be cured. Boy was I in for a surprise when I really started to learn about the things I was really doing to myself. 10 Toes Down program really helped me when there wasn’t even a program in 81 pod anymore, because I had something to look forward to at the end of the day. 10 Toes Down program will always be a big part of my life and my recovery, because it taught me how to Think, Support, Renew, and guide the steps I take in life how to Tread. It was a FRESH START for me, because I had no one or any place else to go, and now that I’m actually finding out who I really am. I finished Book 2 and I hope and pray that there will be many more books to my life as well as to 10 Toes Down. Thank you for the opportunity to allow me to be apart of such a gracious program that I’ve learned about me and other people like me that have addictions like myself. Thank you Mr. James R. Boughton Jr (A.K.A Lord Serious) for just believing in me and allowing, and showing me, that others care about people like me. (-: ❤
“Always in my heart”
10 Toes Down !!!

Willie Wright
#1001446

Education: A Key to a Prisoner’s Complete Freedom

Knowledge has long been revered by leaders throughout the ages as the path to freedom. Knowledge is the initiator of mankind’s inevitable enlightenment. But as it had been cultivated, trained, honed and thus educated it had rendered such sophistication as that found in our modern day society.

Since the longstanding practice of fire by light has sustained humankind and literally brought them out of the wilderness, education as a path to freedom stands true – in not only the actual sense, but also the proverbial and non-proverbial.

A miseducation can be rightfully referred to as an education not fixed upon freedom. The cause of a miseducation is predicated on the complete opposite – it is created to ensnare, to hold captive, to limit, and control. Granted the grace of reason, miseducation may falter and give over to greater. But to be ignorant – uneducated – that is the void of all hope and the absolute absence of power. None of us enter this world without paying our debt to ignorance – and since education is in itself a training, no one can hope to be born a master.

I, myself a mere human being on the verge of my 36th year of life am only starting to realize that education, in abundance, is crucial to achieving the most out of the human experience. Almost 20 years from being that stereotypical degenerate high school dropout, I pursued the same education I strived so diligently to avoid. Not only that, its at the sake of my own redemption. Incarcerated, I am able to work on a career in the legal profession. After experiencing the wrath of the American justice system firsthand, I hope to help restore communities by advocating for them in areas of law. The way I face my incarceration today, nearly at the end of a 20-year prison sentence, is with hope and aspiration. This is due to the last few years of me actively pursuing educational goals in a field that interests me.

The system is not oblivious to the value of education in the rehabilitative process. many states and federal correctional facilities offer GED and trade vocation courses, but educational opportunities in a wider field of industries and interests can be more than sustaining – they could be transformative. For too many incarcerated, those types of educational opportunities are almost impossible without help from sources outside of prison (family, loved ones, non-profits, etc.) I even enlisted the help of my now fiance’, where we managed to find an Sallie Mae educational loan with minimum payment of $50 a month. That was completely manageable with my institutional work check.

My rehabilitation reached its highest point once i could see my future through the lens of education and the freedom it had to offer. Higher education opportunities made widely available to the prison population has the potential to create the view of ‘corrections’ as an administration that enhances our communities, not destroy them. To have any hope of freeing the world, we must first focus on un-imprsioning our minds and free ourselves of the preconceived limitations falsely placed on the human spirit and its potential for redemption. If allowed, this prismatic form of thinking will continue to hold us back from the apex of social development and our advancement forward as a more unified force.

Love & Peace,
Q

They Need To Go and Take a Second Glance

United we stand, divided we ain’t nothing/
so me and my G’s all decided we are something.
I came to address the violence, and corruption,
we making our voices heard, cuz silence lead to suffering.
we’re tied up in discussions,
trying sustain the hope, stay afloat, maintain ya vote,
everybody runnin’ round broke, sayin’ they woke.
all i’m saying is don’t sit around complaining, VOTE!

We campaigning for a Second Chance/ they need to go and take a second glance,
tell em’ look into the second plan,
we got One, we need a second hand,
in any case the real G’s gone keep it moving, like the second hand.
so what chu want? education, or prison cells?
what chu want? reparations, or living hell? what chu want? segregation, or prison mail?you want control over legislation, or wishing wells?
we’ve been tossing our coins in for a long time/carrying picket signs, standing in long lines
we suffer from the last indoctrination/the product of Willie Lynch, is just mass incarceration.
2 ppl wit 20/20 vision is 40/40,
so tell Jay let’s have a meeting at the 40/40
cuz 40 acres and a mule ain’t enough,
in the 40 Strong Movement we Trust…

LET’S PUT IN THIS WORK…

PEACE….GITT!…IGATI!

Devin Phillips #1158007
LVCC

Redefining Power: Your Voice is Our Vote

It is of the greatest contradictions anyone in modern day society could endure — to be on the wrong side of the prison bars and have to witness top lawmakers and administrators deeply entrenched in legal troubles. Not troubles perpetuated from a presumption of negligence concerning the workings of their office, but troubles of a more devious, deliberate criminal nature. To further their mockery of the law, they are accused of abusing the power of their respective offices to aid in covering up their foul play.

Our country has spent centuries using prison as a tool of political intrigue. As a nation, we have actively littered the prison yards with the social lepers and political scapegoats of the modern era. Most of these unfortunate souls can trace the origins of their incarceration to a sense of social ostracizing and economical hopelessness. In turn, what factors can the most powerful, most privileged members of our society attribute to their criminality? The stark contrast between the common criminal and “perp” politician brings to mind the philosophical premises governing the difference between ignorance and evil and their role in the wrongdoings of the world. On one hand, ignorance brings about wrongdoing because it is fearful and deprived of power. Evil, as it stands in relation to ignorance, utilizes its power and knowledge to perpetrate wrongdoing. From a position of power, evil thrives on the suffering and increases the wrongdoing of the ignorant.

Corruption is established on this particular ecosystem where the powerful prey upon the less powerful. This dynamic has tainted American politics and has constructed a predatorial culture where it is socially acceptable to sacrifice certain out-groups to bigot political platforms (such as tough on crime, white nationalism, and prison privatization) under the guise of financial security and economical prosperity. All the while, these dark political agendas serve to drive a deeper divide in the only true shield of the common citizen — UNITY. For far too long has the political system been used as the arm of America’s elitist class — sowing dissension — pitting poor against poor, and lower working class folk against migrates, as we all struggle for the scraps that fall from the corporate juggernauts’ table.

But how can we stop this ponzi scheme erected at our expense? Public indifference has always incited the dark agendas of corrupt leaders who offer oversimplified solutions to complex problems. These quick fixes seem harmless enough on the surface, but if one just takes time to get a closer look, we can see the fine print that greatly serves some elitist’s bottom line. Like the leaders of the Confederate South post-Civil War, corrupt leaders like to displace animosities for bad government toward less threatening targets: minorities. The public should be demanding utmost transparency from their leaders, not more political propaganda that’s fixed around the current hot-button issues.

Regardless of any foolproof solutions posed for the individual citizen to execute, not even a perfect plan or strategy can be the least bit effective without getting good, honest leaders into office. Currently, we as incarcerated people cannot vote; but we have plenty of friends, family and loved ones who can. We can help them make the best choice by guiding their research and keeping our ears and eyes open for candidates that serve in the interest of our cause. Oversight, second look, ending mandatory minimums, expanding earned sentencing credits, ending profiteering in prisons, and the list goes on. State elections in Virginia are November 7th. We have plenty of time to get our allies engaged. If you can reach out to 3 people and ask them to reach out to 3 people, and make sure they have plans to vote early, or on November 7th, you can truly make a difference.

The Struggle Never Stops, So Neither Can We.
Peace, Love, and Power,
Q. Patterson

Prompt for the Incarcerated:

How will you make sure you can extend your vote and engage people on the outside to vote?

What are some of the issues you care about that may or may not be on the ballot and why?

If you had the opportunity to speak directly to potential voters, what would you say to convince them that their vote truly matters?

A lot of campaign ads today are focused on gun violence and high crime rates, are there any arguments you (as an incarcerated person) could pose to potential voters that can debunk the assumption that progressive CJR is responsible for the perceived uptick in violence and crime?

Acknowledgement of Prevention

Peace to the strong, resilient comrades in this fight for FREEDOM.

My name is Devin L Phillips #1158007, here in the field of Lawrenceville CC, YOU CAN CALL ME SADDIUM!!! There’s so much to be said about the current state of existence behind these walls..at times too many words dilute the message. Too much focus is placed on the negative, that we tend to disregard the positive, productive works put forth by those not recognized by the administration! To speak in metaphorical terms, all I would like to say is….

“We tend to always concentrate, and point out the many crashes, and collisions that occur at the intersection… how about we take a few minutes, to acknowledge the overwhelming number of accidents, and catastrophes that the under appreciated traffic lights, and traffic signs have, and continue to prevent???”

#weinthetrenches

SALUTE!!

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 Capitol is Being Stormed!” -Q.Patterson

Brilliance’s annual ode to black history has me checking the archives again for a bit of Hov. We are two years post wake of the January 6th Riot, and Jay Z’s take on the event still strikes every part of me that remains utterly disgusted with what took place that day…

“You let these crack-ahs storm ya capitol and put they feet up on ya desk/ and you talking tough to me? I lost all my lil respect.”- Jay-Z

“What It Feels Like” is the title of the track Jay featured on with the late great Nipsey Hussle. Here is where Jay felt the need to address the government and there handling of the January 6th riot compared to how the country continues to treat its black citizens with blatant injustice, violence, and death.

Some could easily take this statement as anti-government, but I see it as a patriot’s expression of great disappointment in it’s country. Most of America and the rest of the world witnessed America under siege.

Most cannot disregard, though they won’t to be forthcoming enough to admit it, the reality that if the insurrectionists had been predominantly of another race, the classification of a riot would have had to take a backseat to what would have been a race massacre… Now the problem isn’t with the potential of a massacre actually happening, but the fact that race holds such a stranglehold on our country’s mind. Race holds such a stranglehold on the minds of Black Americans.

As a Black American Man, I feel as if I could see it unfolding right before my eyes– minorities being violently subdued and put to death on the spot for having the sheer audacity to storm the capitol of the united states. Heinous, but sadly, it is something black people actually fear would have happened.

Jay-Z raises a voice in defiance of such fears, while pointing out the unfair treatment that continues to eat away at the integrity of this country. Jay uses his immense platform to rally the Black populace to demand the respect of its government.

I, for one, feel that Black Americans do not do enough to hold the government accountable. Jay looks to lead that way for others who may feel a little dejected by January 6th, but he doesn’t invoke despair or an increased awareness of white supremacy. He ask for anger and assertiveness. He wants Black Americans to know that they are worthy of just as much respect as any other race in America…

I agree.

-Q. Patterson

The Loudest Voice is Our Vote

While sitting in the Birmingham jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in longhand his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Within this letter, he stated how he couldn’t sit idly by in Atlanta, his home state, and not be concerned about what was happening in Birmingham. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

In my 23 years of incarceration, I live with the direct result of an injustices I created. This injustice is now effecting me and many others and that injustice is: “NOT VOTING.”

In November of 1994, my late father-in-law warned me of not voting. It was during this time that Mr. George Allen was campaigning for governor. His campaign was fueled by the ‘tough on crime’ mantra, with the abolishing of parole as the prize for electing him as governor. I never paid much attention. And to be honest I really didn’t care. Never in a million years did I think that abolishing parole would become like a modern day genocide.

I know that crime must be dealt with, and we all want a safe society. However, many make mistakes, are remorseful and seek rehabilitation to become a better person.

Now in 2023, I find myself facing a very lengthy prison sentence, without the possibility of parole. During these past 20 years, I have met many individuals, some guilty, and a few not guilty. I’ve also met many who, through the rehabilitative process are better and different people today. But the majority of us continue to find ourselves at the mercy of the governor to one day enjoy the freedom that we took for granted and forfeited.

I didn’t vote in 1994, the following year (1995), he fulfilled his promise and abolished parole in Virginia. I’m living in the results of not voting. Many think that my one vote doesn’t matter, just think in a small town, someone won a school board seat winning 3 to 2. Voting matters from our local elections to the highest elections. Voting is actually your voice!!

I lost my right to vote; now, I try to inspire others to vote. I speak to inmates often telling them to encourage their family to vote. Yes, we’ve lost our rights to vote. But think if each of the 37,000 plus inmates in Virginia would inspire 10 people to vote, that would be would be 370,000 votes cast. Yes, it would be in different districts, but I promise you this would make a difference.

So inspire your family and friends to vote. When they ask if they can help, say yes, Vote!! Also tell them to get in touch with their elected officials, from their local representative (senate and delegate) to your national (senate and delegate) prior to elections. If these elected officials will not return your email, letter, or call, then thats a blatant example of them not EARNING your vote.

It’s time that they realize that our votes must not be taken for granted but must be earned.
Let them know what issues effect you and your community. These elected officials are there because of you and for you.

It’s time that we stop being “Democrats, Independent or Republican.” We are humans with a voice, and the loudest voice is our VOTE. It’s time that they stop taking us for granted. Many have gone before us before us, oftentimes being jailed and treated harshly for wanting to vote. We no longer have to count the “jelly beans” in jar. We just have to register. Pass on the importance of voting on to your kids.

To my fellow ex offenders, vote for us! Make getting your rights restored a priority. Speak out for change.
Its time that we stop giving away what many others earned through their blood, sweat, tears and some death.

Many died for us to have the right to vote, don’t give it away, because this injustice is a threat to justice everywhere.

Samuel E Harris #1026738
Lawrenceville Correctional Center

Suffolk, Virginia

(Sam) a successful car salesman in the Tidewater Area who suffered an accident while in service to his country and later diagnosed with PTSD by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but later denied treatment due to bureaucratic red-tape, caused him to self-medicate and lead to his incarceration for robbery with a 220 year sentence, with 60 to serve. In spite of his situation of incarceration, he has used the last 23 years to rehabilitate and become the devout man of God he is, that has served others through the positions and platforms he’s held within prison. He’s also co-authored several books :”Beyond The Shackles” and ” Speaking Out for Change” as well as authoring his own book ” A Double Minded Man” soon to be released. He can be contacted via US mail or email @ JPay.com Samuel E Harris #1026738

It Would Forever Unfit Him To Be a Slave

“….A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master – to do as he is told. Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now,” he said, “if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master. As to himself, it could do him no good, but a great deal of harm. It would make him discontent and unhappy.” – (The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas)

Within the above quote, Frederick Douglas recounts the moment his slave master admonished his wife for teaching him (Frederick Douglas) the alphabet. According to Frederick Douglas, his enslaver was fearful that an education would make him unfit to be a slave. After witnessing this exchange Douglas was certain that the words his master spoke were true. He now understood that Whites greatest power over Blacks was their ability to keep them blinded through their ignorance. From this moment on, Douglas became obsessed with learning to read and write. But since his mistress now forbade him to learn, Douglas had to devise clever ways to get around the social barriers that made it unlawful for him to learn.

This quote is relevant today, because we now live in an era where the White power structure once again has erected new barriers that prohibit Black children from learning. Groups like Moms For Liberty have lobbied for, and Republican leaders like Florida’s Governor Desantis, have passed laws outlawing Critical Race Theory and banning books by Black authors that address race issues in America. The deprivation of a quality education for Black children remains a prominent agenda of White supremacy in America.

If Blacks living in America today hope to overcome the education barriers of our era, then we must adopt the resolve of Frederick Douglas. We must adopt the mentality that any where we are at can be transformed into a classroom and we must use every conceivable opportunity and resource at our disposal to educate ourselves and our children. As a race, we cannot allow our ability to learn to be limited by our group’s inability to receive a quality education inside of the White power structures public schoolhouse.

I once heard a story about this ancient philosopher. It is said one day one of his students came to him requesting additional education. The philosopher looked as his pupil and said, “You want to know what else I have to teach you?” The pupil replied, “Yes!” The philosopher told his pupil, “Follow me.” The two men walked to the coastline and the philosopher enter the water where it was waste deep and gestured for his pupil to follow. When they both were submerged waste deep in the water the philosopher said, “Now I will show you what else I have to teach you.” The philosopher grabs his pupil’s head and pushes it down into the water. The two struggle as the philosopher continues to hold the pupil’s head beneath the water. Finally, the philosopher relents and the pupil comes up from the water gasping for breath. The philosopher looks at him and says, “This is what I have to teach you. You should want knowledge the same way you wanted air.”

Ensuring that Black children in America are receiving a quality education is something that we have taken for granted. But when we are deprived of it, or it under threat to be taken away. We quickly realize just how important it is to our overall survival as a race of people. This should naturally produce resistance within us and create a power struggle where we fight now begin the fight for power, we now understand why it important for us alone to control our own education the same way the drowning man understands why he needs to fight for control over his right to breathe independently.

Lord Serious Hakim Allah
#1404741

Lord Serious is an author, artist, activist, blogger, and representative of the Nation of Gods and Earths and the Director of Umoja Nation. His latest children book “Squirrels, Beavers, And Everyone Else” is scheduled to be released in March as an eBook on LuLu, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and most major distributors where ebooks are sold. Work Release (The Mixtape), Vol. 1 is available on his social media pages @ Lord Serious Speaks. Lord Serious is the co-author of the “10 TOES DOWN” drug rehabilitation program and interactive facilitator of this program and the “My Next Step” program at Lawrenceville Correctional Center.