Unfortunately I've gotten an education on all of this since my sister has been incarcerated. When she first got to her cell, there was a used maxi pad stuck on the ceiling. She was in that cell for several days before being transferred to another. That maxi pad was never addressed.
You are doing an amazing job sharing. This week was particularly interesting to me as a volunteer. The costs are crazy! I wanted to donate clothing during the winter months. Not to a particular individual but instead purchase a few items in multiple sizes. I saw the official catalog in the visitor waiting area. NO!! Not allowed! That is the consistent answer to every request!
Your volunteering means the world to the individuals you serve…and to me. It's the most backward system I've ever witnessed- not being able to donate clothing through their own catalog is wild.
Stark words & so, so necessary & important to share!: "I know a woman who finally, after months of pressure and stress, put up a boundary and refused to pay her son’s bullies another cent— She then buried her son after they killed him for his outstanding debts.
Her regret haunts me."
Our babies -- all of them -- are worth more than this. This systemic, shameful disregard of one another's humanity is inhumane.
Now I speak at colleges and do other talks to spread awareness, hope, and change. I tell my story so people truly understand what happens every single day. It grows like cancer, getting worse and worse.
Omg. The way you spit these facts is spot on. Everything. Florida doesn’t pay their inmates either. I relate to prison teleportations. It’s a constant. I did ten years. My mom went sooo hard too. Thank you for telling it how it is and your research method I feel is almost unmatched. I have tried to deep dive and get facts about Florida prisons and the deeper I went the angrier I grew. My memoir COUNT TIME, I wanted to add sooo much more, but facts are hidden, disguised, or outright lies. It’s tragic and I commend you on your efforts. Hear your voice when you write and share your life. Thank you from all my heart for your voice. 🫡🫡🫡
This comment means so much. It is brutal to find facts. They want it all to go away, to stay hidden, but the more of us who tell what we know... the less they can deny. Thank you for standing up, for speaking, for making change a priority. We're in this together.
Thank you for writing about this topic, Bridget. It was something students in my college program discussed at length. Price gouging in prison creates problems in all the ways you describe, and I appreciate you bringing them to light here.
Autobiographies by formerly incarcerated people — such as Susan Burton and Albert Woodfox — also describe the inflated prices assigned to goods sold through "the commissary" or "the canteen," and the desperation felt by people inside who had no family on the outside contributing to their accounts. Burton, whose activism earned her an appointment to the Sybil Brand Commission, explained that incarceration facilities were not subject to the kind of public scrutiny that might prevent, say, twelve ounces of Pantene shampoo from being sold to inmates for twelve dollars a bottle. And her book, Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women, was published in 2017 — so it's only gotten worse since then.
Ooh, thank you for this recommendation. It's absolutely criminal what this system requires of people. The irony of that is sickening. My son tells me all the time about people who have no one. No one to visit. No one for stamps. No one for commissary. The loneliness must be utterly dehumanizing.
Your ability to report the state of the system while balancing the narrative with urgent grace is truly impressive. Thank you for pouring it out on the page.
Your writing is so incredible. You have the ability to make your readers feel like they are right there in the prison. I covered my mouth in disbelief while reading this one. Shaking my head in confusion, shock and anger. I HATE knowing my nephew has to experience this. Praying praying praying he gets out sooner than later. It’s been too long already. Absolute torture.
I ask myself every day if I would be strong enough to get through it. The answer is always, "not without the support of loved ones outside." I do not know how people who are alone without friends or family make it in there. It is truly a version of hell.
Thank you so much for this week's column, Bridget. It is SO eye opening. Those of us who haven't walked in your shoes or your son's shoes have no idea. I deeply appreciate hearing the hard things. I need to be aware . Otherwise I can't be a responsible part of our world community.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and the truth in this horribly difficult and dark situation.
I so appreciate you reading— and for your heart which is willing to listen.
Unfortunately I've gotten an education on all of this since my sister has been incarcerated. When she first got to her cell, there was a used maxi pad stuck on the ceiling. She was in that cell for several days before being transferred to another. That maxi pad was never addressed.
Unreal! Thank you for sharing. She is not alone, and neither are you. 🖤
You are doing an amazing job sharing. This week was particularly interesting to me as a volunteer. The costs are crazy! I wanted to donate clothing during the winter months. Not to a particular individual but instead purchase a few items in multiple sizes. I saw the official catalog in the visitor waiting area. NO!! Not allowed! That is the consistent answer to every request!
Your volunteering means the world to the individuals you serve…and to me. It's the most backward system I've ever witnessed- not being able to donate clothing through their own catalog is wild.
Stark words & so, so necessary & important to share!: "I know a woman who finally, after months of pressure and stress, put up a boundary and refused to pay her son’s bullies another cent— She then buried her son after they killed him for his outstanding debts.
Her regret haunts me."
Our babies -- all of them -- are worth more than this. This systemic, shameful disregard of one another's humanity is inhumane.
I think of her a few times a month. Still. 🖤
Wow! You went in!!!
Hard in the paint, every day. ;)
Now I speak at colleges and do other talks to spread awareness, hope, and change. I tell my story so people truly understand what happens every single day. It grows like cancer, getting worse and worse.
I seriously can go on and on but you already know how it is
I do but I'm happy to hear your voice. We all are.
Omg. The way you spit these facts is spot on. Everything. Florida doesn’t pay their inmates either. I relate to prison teleportations. It’s a constant. I did ten years. My mom went sooo hard too. Thank you for telling it how it is and your research method I feel is almost unmatched. I have tried to deep dive and get facts about Florida prisons and the deeper I went the angrier I grew. My memoir COUNT TIME, I wanted to add sooo much more, but facts are hidden, disguised, or outright lies. It’s tragic and I commend you on your efforts. Hear your voice when you write and share your life. Thank you from all my heart for your voice. 🫡🫡🫡
Ps, bless your mom too. 🖤
I’m sure my mom says the same thing of you
This comment means so much. It is brutal to find facts. They want it all to go away, to stay hidden, but the more of us who tell what we know... the less they can deny. Thank you for standing up, for speaking, for making change a priority. We're in this together.
In solidarity ✨🙏🫡
Thank you for writing about this topic, Bridget. It was something students in my college program discussed at length. Price gouging in prison creates problems in all the ways you describe, and I appreciate you bringing them to light here.
Autobiographies by formerly incarcerated people — such as Susan Burton and Albert Woodfox — also describe the inflated prices assigned to goods sold through "the commissary" or "the canteen," and the desperation felt by people inside who had no family on the outside contributing to their accounts. Burton, whose activism earned her an appointment to the Sybil Brand Commission, explained that incarceration facilities were not subject to the kind of public scrutiny that might prevent, say, twelve ounces of Pantene shampoo from being sold to inmates for twelve dollars a bottle. And her book, Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women, was published in 2017 — so it's only gotten worse since then.
Ooh, thank you for this recommendation. It's absolutely criminal what this system requires of people. The irony of that is sickening. My son tells me all the time about people who have no one. No one to visit. No one for stamps. No one for commissary. The loneliness must be utterly dehumanizing.
So true. Deprivation does not support rehabilitation.
This is a hard read. And an important one.
Your ability to report the state of the system while balancing the narrative with urgent grace is truly impressive. Thank you for pouring it out on the page.
Awww, thank you for reading and for caring enough to comment. It's a delicate dance, this whole thing. 🖤
You're navigating it with an impressive amount of grace and poise.✨
Your writing is so incredible. You have the ability to make your readers feel like they are right there in the prison. I covered my mouth in disbelief while reading this one. Shaking my head in confusion, shock and anger. I HATE knowing my nephew has to experience this. Praying praying praying he gets out sooner than later. It’s been too long already. Absolute torture.
I ask myself every day if I would be strong enough to get through it. The answer is always, "not without the support of loved ones outside." I do not know how people who are alone without friends or family make it in there. It is truly a version of hell.
Wow, I had no idea. I agree, you are doing important work by educating on this. Here's hoping you find a wide audience.
Oh, I am so grateful you're here. 🖤
Thank you so much for this week's column, Bridget. It is SO eye opening. Those of us who haven't walked in your shoes or your son's shoes have no idea. I deeply appreciate hearing the hard things. I need to be aware . Otherwise I can't be a responsible part of our world community.
Phil
I am so happy that you are in the world community. Thank you for reading, for your support, and for being part of change.