The thing that really matters the most now days are receiving the things we are supposed to have, to ensure that we have the chance to rehabilitate upon re-entry. Here at my current location, which is Bertie Correctional, close custody do not get jobs, no religious services, no outside recreation, limited time of outside of cell activity(1hr), no cleaning supplies for in cell cleaning, everybody does not have access to tablets, no NA or AA programs, and no incentives for good behavior. I guess one will ask how all these things help the rehabilitation process, for one the limited exposure to outside or out of cell activities is damaging the mental health of many around me as well as myself. It’s hard to seek proper mental health care here when staff ignore your calls for help. Close custodies are not allowed jobs here and all inmate’s projected release dates stand on their maximum sentence and do not change due to the fact of not having a job. Inmates are being deprived of the chance to work sentences down. Every day count that one that doesn’t get a chance to be with their families, no matter what they are incarcerated for. Why do staff get to go home to their families at the end of their shifts? Why inmates do not get to go home to their families at their minimum sentences. This in the cage philosophy that they are implementing is very dangerous. The situation of solitary confinement without moving around with the handcuffs behind your back is the agenda. Everything has a restriction. You can not rehabilitate when you always stuck in a cell, and you are surrounded by officers disrespecting you daily. I also want to see the days where officers are no longer able to take you to receiving at these places and beat you to a pulp with handcuffs on. They take you there and use the “stop resisting” words to initiate violence on defenseless inmates in handcuffs. They must be held accountable for their actions. These are the people who took an oath to serve and protect as an everyday duty and obligation. In closing, if the program is set up to fail, then inmates will fail. The proper changes must be made, no matter what me or any other person is incarcerated for we deserve the chance to rehabilitate to have a chance to get out and stay out.
Donald Mclaughlin (NC Offender)
Thanks to Behind the Walls Talk for the chance to use this platform.