I love angry you in your writing bc your writing crackles w energy, rage, and truth. I hate that this is your life, your son's life, the lives of too many. I hate that we let it happen and perpetuate it.
I thought I might be stepping over the line with this one but ya know what, I am going to just say what I need to these days. We're not getting any younger. 😉
It's a very interesting point of what's ours to tell and what's not - so well explained in your essay. Definitely, what's ours to tell is the panic that starts to rise when it's been too long before a call or email (has something happened inside that I'm not hearing?). Inevitably, some of those silences are because something has happened. We can certainly talk about the effect it has on us, on the outside. Yes, they need to be told.
On another point, putting in a legal claim while inside, is, yes a huge risk. My friend wanted me to, and I said, are you ok, are you walking? Yes. Was he in a safer place by that point? Yes. So I said, since I'm your only contact of genuine help, we are going to forgo lawyers and starting building your release package that shows zero comments of "he's difficult." This was hard to say, but it was the right advice, and it got him out when it was time to get him out, early.
Thank you for telling your readers how you really feel…
So EDUCATIONAL! What a descriptive pictorial picture of these soulless human beings [The little penis (pin dick) gangsters] who play God with the lives of the captive 😡
Keep writing but be careful I worry they will come after you and your family, notably D 😢
This finding is fascinating: “Overall, female staff responses more closely tracked overall responses from incarcerated people when compared with male staff.”
There are many interesting articles & reports on this site and via links to other sites. There was info on prison advocacy and gathering data to be used for such, to support those wishing to advocate.
There was a paper arguing that those resident within facilities who are working some job should be paid minimum wage rather then the few cents/hour they earn. This in turn gives them decent gate money to better facilitate re-entry, and in turn supports the safety of community.
I’ll have to double check which link/site. I only wish there was such info/sites for Oz. Looks like I’ll be busy in the future… 😂
You have described with great accuracy, detail, and humor the huge egos people in positions of power often display. I've seen it in security guards, police officers, and—probably among the worst—politicians. I'll never look at those customized, lifted trucks the same way again!
Bridget, beneath the satire and sharp edges, this reads as a critique of what happens when authority becomes untethered from accountability. The examples you share point to a deeper concern: systems can absorb small acts of contempt so thoroughly that they begin to feel normal to the people operating within them, even when the damage accumulates daily for those on the receiving end. I was especially struck by your observation that the greatest opportunity is often not in exercising power, but in choosing how to treat vulnerable people when no one is paying attention. Thank you for continuing to bear witness to dynamics that are easy for the public to overlook and difficult for many families to speak about openly.
This is what happens when you have a for profit prison system. Maybe they're saving money on all that material they would have needed for their pants? 👖😉. Excellent article, Bridget. I don't know how they find so many people like this. Its staggering really.
YES. I'm as not sorry as you, Bridget. Thank you for everything. For being a fierce mom to your son, for being as brave as fuck, and for doing the right thing, every time you write a post about you've seen and know. xo
Sorry, not sorry! Love the sentiment! Hate that you and D know the power dynamics of the system, but if nothing changes, nothing changes and so many things need to change!
Loved the kick ass nature of this post, hated the fact you had to write it and you have so much more that has to remain unsaid. For now. Keep it coming if that’s what needs to be said! And when you feel it’s safe to do so.
But for the grace of God. We are all one mistake away from being there. Honestly. The punishment is having your freedom revoked... cruelty has no place.
I love angry you in your writing bc your writing crackles w energy, rage, and truth. I hate that this is your life, your son's life, the lives of too many. I hate that we let it happen and perpetuate it.
I thought I might be stepping over the line with this one but ya know what, I am going to just say what I need to these days. We're not getting any younger. 😉
It's a very interesting point of what's ours to tell and what's not - so well explained in your essay. Definitely, what's ours to tell is the panic that starts to rise when it's been too long before a call or email (has something happened inside that I'm not hearing?). Inevitably, some of those silences are because something has happened. We can certainly talk about the effect it has on us, on the outside. Yes, they need to be told.
On another point, putting in a legal claim while inside, is, yes a huge risk. My friend wanted me to, and I said, are you ok, are you walking? Yes. Was he in a safer place by that point? Yes. So I said, since I'm your only contact of genuine help, we are going to forgo lawyers and starting building your release package that shows zero comments of "he's difficult." This was hard to say, but it was the right advice, and it got him out when it was time to get him out, early.
Whew. Smart. It is so sad how quiet we need to be. I often imagine how many voices we'll never hear from... how many decades of silence remain. 🖤
Thank you for telling your readers how you really feel…
So EDUCATIONAL! What a descriptive pictorial picture of these soulless human beings [The little penis (pin dick) gangsters] who play God with the lives of the captive 😡
Keep writing but be careful I worry they will come after you and your family, notably D 😢
Soulless. That's what I think when I watch the Robert Brooks footage, and others like it. I'll never understand that kind of void human behavior.
Me neither 🤯
Keep shouting! You write beautifully about ugly things.
Thank you. Until my dying breath!
There's a group in Alabama called "the Mama Bears." I should introduce you! I shared this piece with them. :)
Oh, I love this Beth. Can't wait to meet them.
Some of those working don’t have a penis. Large, regular or small.
Just earlier this afternoon I found an interesting article on “How Does Gender Influence Corrections Staff Views of Prison Climate?”.
https://www.urban.org/research/publication/how-does-gender-influence-corrections-staff-views-prison-climate
https://www.urban.org/research/publication/living-and-working-conditions-five-state-prisons
https://www.prisonjailresearch.urban.org/prison-and-jail-research-hub
This finding is fascinating: “Overall, female staff responses more closely tracked overall responses from incarcerated people when compared with male staff.”
Thanks for this!
There are many interesting articles & reports on this site and via links to other sites. There was info on prison advocacy and gathering data to be used for such, to support those wishing to advocate.
There was a paper arguing that those resident within facilities who are working some job should be paid minimum wage rather then the few cents/hour they earn. This in turn gives them decent gate money to better facilitate re-entry, and in turn supports the safety of community.
I’ll have to double check which link/site. I only wish there was such info/sites for Oz. Looks like I’ll be busy in the future… 😂
Found the other site, https://www.prisonpolicy.org .
So grateful for Prison Policy Initiative!
I noted the link to prisonpolicy.org in your Mother’s Day article “There is no brunch at the prison”. I’m so glad it was useful. 👍
No worries 👍. I’ve just found something else that might be of interest.
“A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management: Handbook for Prison Staff (3rd edition)”
From the World Prison Brief https://www.prisonstudies.org under the ‘Projects&Publications’ menu.
You have described with great accuracy, detail, and humor the huge egos people in positions of power often display. I've seen it in security guards, police officers, and—probably among the worst—politicians. I'll never look at those customized, lifted trucks the same way again!
😂😂😂 Glad I'm leaving folks with some things to consider.
Most definitely! LOL!
Bridget, beneath the satire and sharp edges, this reads as a critique of what happens when authority becomes untethered from accountability. The examples you share point to a deeper concern: systems can absorb small acts of contempt so thoroughly that they begin to feel normal to the people operating within them, even when the damage accumulates daily for those on the receiving end. I was especially struck by your observation that the greatest opportunity is often not in exercising power, but in choosing how to treat vulnerable people when no one is paying attention. Thank you for continuing to bear witness to dynamics that are easy for the public to overlook and difficult for many families to speak about openly.
You bet! Thank you for subscribing, for reading, and for fighting with me.
This is what happens when you have a for profit prison system. Maybe they're saving money on all that material they would have needed for their pants? 👖😉. Excellent article, Bridget. I don't know how they find so many people like this. Its staggering really.
Truly, how are there this many disgruntled, jaded, unempathtic people in the world?
I have some theories but we’d be here a while….
Same.
YES. I'm as not sorry as you, Bridget. Thank you for everything. For being a fierce mom to your son, for being as brave as fuck, and for doing the right thing, every time you write a post about you've seen and know. xo
Thanks for reading and replying, Nan. It means the world.
It's a great piece. I hope tons of people read it. xo
I think this is my favorite one of all! Thanks for telling the truth.
Love this, Sara. I just get more and more loud as time goes on. 😉
Sorry, not sorry! Love the sentiment! Hate that you and D know the power dynamics of the system, but if nothing changes, nothing changes and so many things need to change!
Being able to put a voice to it is the only choice we have. Thank you for being in it with us. 🖤
Loved the kick ass nature of this post, hated the fact you had to write it and you have so much more that has to remain unsaid. For now. Keep it coming if that’s what needs to be said! And when you feel it’s safe to do so.
Thanks, Sarah. Every vote for the kickass posts give me confidence to write more. Stay tuned. 😉
I vote for the kickass posts, and all of the other ones too!
We need to elect as many politicians as possible who are not beholden to corporations and get rid of private company prisons.
100%. It is the number one issue on my consideration list for voting!
Great article. The cruelty of men charged with overseeing people, who with one bad choice could be them or someone they love.
But for the grace of God. We are all one mistake away from being there. Honestly. The punishment is having your freedom revoked... cruelty has no place.
Yes so true. Cruelty by guards and some inmates.
#metoo
Is this empathy for the tiny penis folks or for the people they keep harming?
Can it be both?