Here’s an important question I’d like someone in the justice system to address. Why is it that every time I read the pleas and arraignment section of my local newspaper I see those found guilty and convicted of deviate sex offenses sentenced so leniently? Why do child molesters and Internet predators receive sentences such as “five years with four and a half years suspended”, or “three years imposition of sentence suspended upon good behavior”?

Why does society and the prosecutor’s office almost excuse this type of deviate, perverted sex crime assessing punishment no greater than a simple slap on the hand? Is it acceptable to society, the judge, and the prosecutor that these offenders have physically and mentally traumatized a small child’s life forever?

Convicted child molesters and Internet predators are, more commonly known as “cho mo’s” in the federal system, not liked by the general inmate population or any stand up convict. If the courts will not appropriately sentence and punish those convicted of such hideous crimes, then it is left up to we in the prison to pass judgment on them?

Many men and women in prison have small children on the streets and they do not easily forgive these sex offenders or readily dismiss their perverted sexual abuse of children as do the courts. I just wanted to let everyone out there know….cho mo’s don’t have a pass in federal prison. They’re not welcome here and we convicts make it our business to make their days miserable every chance we get.

Tales from the Cells….

Here are some ideas of what the average, everyday citizen can do as a means to assist and encourage their fellow person behind prison bars. Stay in touch with those you know or have discovered who are incarcerated. Mail is the lifeblood of existence in prison. Some inmates go for months without ever receiving a single card or letter.

Become attuned to human rights issues in prisons. Overcrowding, no parole, and conviction of far too many non-violent offenders has led to warehousing of inmates, both state and federal institutions. And with increased funding to build more and more prisons, less money is used for rehabilitation programs.

Remember that many of the men and women who are incarcerated leave their families on the street. Those families often need assistance with food, rent, medical, etc. Often the children of prisoners are forgotten on their birthdays and at Christmas.

Most importantly, continue your effort to maintain contact with those who have been separated from society. Without this contact, it is inevitable that lives will be further isolated to the point of no return. Although about 80% of those in prison will be released at some point in time. The average citizen’s personal involvement with prisoners whose lives have become a matter of public record is ital to restoring the whole, intact society we seek.

Tales From the Cells…….

At the medium and high security federal prisons inmates are generally housed in 2 or sometimes 3 man cells. Many times race is not taken into consideration when inmates are assigned to live with one another. Nor is religion, hygiene, or any other issue. Many inmates are institutionalized and are use to doing time a certain way, are routine oriented, and quie frankly get very upset when an undesirable inmate is forced into their domain. Having a good living arrangement with a good cellmate accounts for about 70% of doing time any where near comfortably. Prison staff, from the Warden right down to the menial C.O., could care less who you house with until after a serious, sometimes deadly, alteration occurs. I mean what bonafide card carrying member of the KKK would want an N.O.I. Muslim living in an 8′ x 12′ cell with them? The following is a list of rules I furnish to any new inmate that’s put in my cell.

If you are going to live in this cell with me, there are a few simple rules you need to know and follow before you move in. Before you read these rules, you must first realize and understand you are no my cellmate yet. Neither are you considered a guest or good buddy. I see you as an intruder in my living area, and I can’t stand the fact that you have shown up at my door - I do not love you.

THE RULES:

1. You will keep your area and you ass clean. Do not come in here smelling like someone shit on you.

2. If you se a radio, cup, ink pen, or any other item that is not yours, keep your fucking hands off unless you are given permission to touch them.

3. I do not wake anyone up for chow, work call, or medical appointments. If you miss any of your meals or call outs, fuck you. I do not come and get you for anyone either.

4. Buy your own cigarettes (obsolete now), coffee, and soft drinks. I will provide for me- you provide for you.

5. Never sing, whistle, hum, snore, and never tap your fingers or feet to music, imagined or otherwise.

6. I do not give a damn about hearing anything about your sentence, private life, or case, unless you pay me to hear your shit. Fuck your case, and your small talk, and you. I do not give a fuck about you, or how doing this time drives you. We all want out, we all want pussy, we all want liquer and drugs.

7. Do not ask personal questions at all. I am not starving for conversation.

8. Never bring a friend to the cell when I am sleeping. If I am asleep, prepare to fight your life should your noise happen to wake me up.

9. Never have a joint or any other type of drug in the room without telling me.

10. Every time you use the sink, wash it out. If the trashcan is full, empty the mother fucker.

11. If you are one of those whiners that only have a little bit of time to serve, I.e. ” Whah, Whah, I got a year!” Shut your fucking mouth because I have a hell of a lot more time to do than you do and I don’t want to hear your shit.

12. Last and most importantly, don’t associate with 2-legged RATS or prison PUNKS. If you do, fuck you, you are history.

Tales from the Cells……..