Prison journalism: Getting along as best I can

The best way to integrate into society is to simply do it. It’s unfortunate that the Department of Correctional Services is ill-prepared. My own ‘battles’ continually let me down due to my hand. The reason is silly, simple, and sad. It’s silly because it’s not true. It’s simple because it doesn’t involve complex quantum physics or advanced mathematics. It’s sad because there’s no reason to put myself through any of this. Prison mentally breaks us down; it’s designed to do so. However, logic dictates that if I dismantle anything, then my plan to redesign or rebuild should solely focus on empowerment. Like any task undertaken, they must be completed without question. Don’t misunderstand this!

Challenges of Correctional Rehabilitation

It’s crucial, critical, and conditional to remember that we are dealing with human beings, whose well-being ensures the survival and advancement of our race. Our survival is guaranteed as humans have no natural predators and are the alpha species on Earth. Thus, we are solely responsible for the situations we find ourselves in, particularly regarding the inadequate rehabilitation of offenders.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Challenges in South African Prisons

Personal Struggle with Reintegration

I found myself ill-equipped to reintegrate into society, despite having paid my debt. It’s about adjusting and fitting into my new or previously occupied space in the world. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone ends up in the dark, dysfunctional correctional system.

Understanding the Legal and Correctional Process

In case you, the reader, are unsure how it all works, let me explain it simply. Here’s what happens:

1. Contravene the law.

2. Arrest by police services; detained for 48 to 72 hours.

3. Charged to appear in court within 48 to 72 hours.

4. Appearance regarding bail and charges.

5. If no bail is granted, re-arrested into custody; mandatory 7 days for bail agreement and bail appearance.

6. If bailed, the accused is free to attend personally; otherwise, they face the worst.

7. Final appearance/judgement, sentencing.

8. If found guilty, transferred to prison to begin the sentence.

That’s the process in a nutshell. The entire experience, including the sentence, is very traumatizing. How am I to recover from this?

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Reflections from Inside Prison

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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