I choose to treat my faithful friends, both new and old, and family as if they are 24 kt. Gold. I try not to be selfish and demanding and most of all I do not lay guilt trips on my people. Being in prison it’s easy to get lost in wishful thinking, self-pity, and false ideas. Reality hasit that there is a damn little, if anything, my people on the outside can do for me. They’re not miracle workers. I don’t expect anyone to sit in a corner and cry until I get home- not my wife or my family. Prison’s effects on me, my family, and my friends are totally unnatural but, despite the unnatural, in order for me to try to hold on to some measure of humanity, I turn to my family and friends, those few, who still care if I live and die. They are my lifeline to the world, to staying human, to my emotional well being, and sometimes to hope itself. It requires special concern and understanding from all involved on both sides of the fence in order to survive the mental and physical hardships of doing time. I refuse to be overcome with sad and desperate feelings and I don’t want my family and friends to be consumed by that negativity either. My life isn’t over.

I’m in prison because I got loose, ludicrous, and out of control on the outside. As bad as I’d like to blame everything on the 2-legged RAT that set me up, I did most of this to myself. As much as doing this time sucks, it’s my load to carry. It’s no good to sit around in prison and be eaten alive by fear and worry. I cannot afford to be overcome by grief and depression. My position does not permit me to surrender to grief. The time bandits are having their way with me right now- that’s all. Regardless, I will not surrender control of my dignity, hope, nor mental processes. I will remain strong. I do not do my time in a fantasy world. I do not place faith in what I wish could be such as: pending changes in the law, the feds bringing back parole, early release, executive clemency or God getting me out of prison. I’m stuck here. A harsh reality but it’s just what it is- REALITY. I’m very aware of that, I’m not happy about it, but I am partially at peace in my heart because I know it is what it is.

Patience and tolerance aren’t some of my better virtues but I’m constantly learning every day. I force myself to always think before I act, even when I might suddenly become upset. I stay calm, I mind my own business, I do my own time, and I try not to associate with the undesirables. I do my time quietly, with dignity and with class. Sometimes you’ll find that it’s your friends in prison that can hurt you the most. That’s why it is so important to me to choose my friends wisely and as hard as that may sound and seem, it can be done, even when forced to live with the dregs of society. I won’t hang out with those who I perceive as just plain BAD, who are purposely mean to others, play mind games, who screw with the emotions of others, homosexuals, those who prey on the weak and those who are RATS. My thoughts, feelings, dreams, ambitions, skills and hope are important to me. They are my business and no one else’s. I don’t put my business on the streets so others can use that to get to me. Again I have to be careful who I choose as my friends.

I treat other people as I want to be treated. I don’t steal from another inmate. If I see something go down- I DON’T see it. And above all, I don’t RAT. This all boils down to convict law and simple respect. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I don’t like federal prison but I have to deal with it. My two highest priorities are to survive this mess and get out. There are no other options. I’m determined and I will make it. I am Allen Mansell and I’m serving time in the United States Federal Prison System.

Tales from the Cells….

Throughout history, man has dominated man to his own injury, and unfortunately, to date, nothing has changed. It is called the “Pecking Order”, which was brought into existence by “Domination” through “Power”. For example, each government agency has a presiding head, each head operates his or her agency as a separate fiefdom. The Bureau of Prisons is an excellent example: Each Warden operates his or her prison as their personal Kingdom. The Pecking Order (Chain of Command) in this Kingdom begins with the Warden and filters down to the prisoner by way of Captain, Lieutenant, C.O., Inmate. Those who have suffered a decade or more of incarceration can testify to the affect of this Dominating Power, because for the most part, to the inmate, there appears to be no logical deliberation before implementing changes. The most common unexplained response offered for change is “for security reasons”. Mentally this requires an inmate to ride the surf of insanity in hope of reaching shore (date of release) before being wiped out and devoured by it.

The great and respected King Solomon observed this 2000 years ago:

“All of this I have seen, and their was an applying of my heart to every work that has been done under the sun (during) the time man has dominated man to his own injury“

Ecclesiastic 8:9

Now you might say it is imperative for a civilized society to have this Pecking Order, (Chain of Command), and this is absolutely true. The problem is, as Edmond Burke once said; ” Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Why do you believe any human being would desire to cause another human being to suffer in any fashion, simply because he or she had the Power to do so? In other words, what is it that causes a person in authority to have a superfluous dominating attitude? Again we will turn to the Bible for inspirational guidance:

” And quite being fashioned after this system of things, but he transformed by making your mind over that you may prove yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. “

Romans 12:2

Put simply, wrong thinking. “You are the way you are because of the way you think.’ What is the principle reason anyone in authority would abuse their Power, succumbing to wrong thinking? It is because they think they are more important than they really are!! Again, we can turn to the bible for stimulating reasoning:

“I tell everyone among you not to think more of yourselves than is necessary to think….”

Romans 12:3

Now it comes down to this, we as inmates also have a Pecking Order, so we must set the example. We have no control over the way we are treated by people in authority, however, we do have control over the way we treat each other. Once more, the bible supplies us with words of wisdom:

“All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them…” Matthew 7:12

The Golden Rule

This has been brought to you directly from Allen.

Tales from the Cells……