jPay Message #706

I knew about the stabbings, the violence, the unsafe shower situation. Here's what I didn't know: you don't get to see a dentist for years at a time, no matter the situation, even if you wanted to pay for the procedure. They dont fill cavities, they pull teeth. Your release date isn't always your release … Continue reading jPay Message #706 →

jPay Message #633

8:21 am Monday morning. The yard is awash in activity, a whole world waking up to life on the inside. There are different ways to cope, and some are more free than others. There's a line to the weight pit, two dozen tryna get some early money. Others rush to their preferred set of pull … Continue reading jPay Message #633 →

jPay Message #622

In this human garbage can, every social action can take on sinister overtones. Being rude is an implicit threat and a taunt. In the past, I never noticed line cutters, probably because adults don't normally have to wait in 15-30 minute lines multiple times per day. Now I entertain violent fantasies about anyone who cuts, … Continue reading jPay Message #622 →

jPay Message #506

Any time a female walks across the yard it's an event, like a sexy alien is suddenly in our presence. Everyone cranes their necks for a look, and half stop what they're doing to stare. In the weight pit, dude literally paused mid-rep to talk about what he'd do to "dat ass." He wasn't the … Continue reading jPay Message #506 →

jPay Message #500

The hardest days are the cold days, the bleak days when there's no sun, the days of despair when I wake up and try to hold onto dreams I can't quite remember, but can't fall back asleep. Outside, the wind makes the temperature feel like zero, but it's the promise I made myself--I force myself … Continue reading jPay Message #500 →