Behind the Walls Talk

It is unfortunate to be behind these walls to begin with, but to die behind these walls is another. Raheem Younger (we called him RaRa) who is in the picture above, he is a comrade, a soldier, and most of all a brother. Although it is unfortunate, it was also preventable if the proper number of staff was working and had they been doing their job. This brings me to my topic of discussion, which is “Overcrowded and Understaffed” prisons. There have been a lot of these unfortunate situations occurring across the state due to the same problem. Let me give you an inside look: there are eighty-four prisoners in each dorm, there are three dorms on each unit, and there are only two units, the officers are never on post and the officer in the booth is asleep or not paying attention. An altercation breaks out, there is no officer to intervene or even know that there is a problem in the dorm. Now the problem escalates, and they end up in a secluded area away from eyesight of the officer. Someone can lose their life in a situation like this, and other type of situations can easily occur in which they do. I have witness so many guys leave out the dorm with blooding dripping from their head to their feet, because an officer failed to recognize the problem or failed to make rounds in a timely manner. Sometimes the officers do not even make rounds on the units. The environment is extremely dangerous due to the overcrowding and prisons being understaffed. Prisoners commit suicide and that could have been prevented if the officers would have been doing their jobs like making their rounds. Homicide and suicide rates have risen in the past three years post- covid. Also due to the overcrowding and shortage of staff the prisoners cannot get yard time, where they can go outside and exercise, getting the sunlight and fresh air. These are human necessities. By not being able to go outside your health begins to deteriorate, and you start having diagnoses of diseases like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. We need some relief; it can begin with a signature. When you sign the petition under the prison reform section, it can help us bring awareness to laws that needs to be passed. With the passing of these laws, it will bring about some space for prisoners and less to observe for the guards. Your signature matters ladies and gentlemen, so please feel free to sign even if it is anonymous. These prisons are a hostile environment and iy is not getting any better. Either more officers are hired, or they should begin changing some laws. One or two things must happen, and I am down with the latter choice.

Words from a close friend/comrade

To my brother and fallen comrade RaRa, we so looked forward to the challenges that will come with adjusting back to the free cipher. All the new wonders of the world, the things that have changed since we have been in the bell of the beast. The fact that you did not have, nor could develop the skill set it would take for you to walk away in the face of conflict. Is just another sad reminder that just locking up children and expecting them to develop into man hood by themselves is insanity, yet this country does it daily. You’re gone too soon, and you will be missed. The one blow that killed you serves as a reminder how close the angels are to us every day. Sometimes “the messenger becomes the message.” your Comrade Mr. Shawn “HOMICIDE” Bonnett.

https://www.dac.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/01/16/investigation-underway-after-offender-death-bertie-correctional#:~:text=Jan%2016%2C%202024-,An%20offender%20at%20Bertie%20Correctional%20Institution%20has%20died%20from%20injuries,with%20family%20at%20his%20side.