,EV]Y ,PRISON] IS A ,POLITICAL ,PRISON] 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,ON ,JULY #a#i1 ,KELLY ,ROSE ,PFLUG-,BACK WAS S5T5C$ TO ELEV5 MORE MON?S 9 PRISON = H] P>TICIPATION 9 ! #ba ,G#b PROTE/S 9 ,TORONTO4 ,%E REMA9S UNAPOLOGETIC AB\T H] ROLE 9 ! BLACK BLOC ?AT CAUS$ SO MU* DISRUPTION DUR+ ! SUMMIT1 DEMON/RAT+ ?AT ! =CES ?AT IMPOSE CAPITALISM & PATRI>*Y >E NOT 9VULN]ABLE4 

,TO SUPPORT ,KELLY & ! MILLIONS LIKE H] :O >E IMPRISON$ = ! 9CONV5I5CES !Y POSE TO ! P[]FUL1 WE >E PR\D TO PRES5T H] ELOQU5T & ?\<T-PROVOK+ MEMOIR ( ! TIME %E SP5T 9C>C]AT$ AFT] H] ORIG9AL >RE/3 0,EV]Y ,PRISON] IS A ,POLITICAL ,PRISON]40 ,9 ?IS ACC\NT1 ,KELLY P[]FULLY EVOKES ! EXP]I5CE ( CAPTIVITY & ! IMPORTANCE ( UND]/&+ ALL CAPTIVES ( ! /ATE AS POLITICAL PRISON]S4 

,\R FRI5DS ,/RANG]S 9 A ,TANGL$ ,WILD]NESS >E PUBLI%+ A BOOK ( ,KELLY'S POETRY AS A FUNDRAIS] TO B5EFIT H] DUR+ H] 9C>C]ATION4 ,WALT ,:ITMAN >GU$ ?AT 0TO HAVE GREAT POETS !RE MU/ BE GREAT AUDI5CES10 BUT AUDI5CES IS PRECISELY ! OPPOSITE ( :AT !RE MU/ BE4 ,TO HAVE GREAT POETRY1 !RE MU/ BE PEOPLE :O >E WILL+ TO ACT ON !IR IDEALS RA!R ?AN JU/ WAT* FROM ! SIDEL9ES4 ,WE >E DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO ,KELLY = F9D+ ! C\RAGE TO LIVE H] POETRY AS WELL AS WRIT+ IT4 

,JUNE #b#g1 #b#a1 WAS UN*>ACT]I/ICALLY OV]CA/ = MID-SUMM] ,TORONTO4 ,MY HEAD P\ND$ FROM ! HUMIDITY AS ,I WALK$ ALONE D[N ,QUE5 ,/REET1 ?R\< A CITYSCAPE TEEM+ ) RIOT POLICE1 & /ILL DU/$ ) %>DS ( BROK5 GLASS FROM ! DAY BE=E4 ,CON/RUCTION CREWS HAD ALREADY SET TO WORK REPAIR+ ! TRAIL ( WRECKAGE1 ATTEMPT+ TO GET EV]Y?+ BACK TO NORMAL BE=E ANYONE NOTIC$4 

,:5 ,I REA*$ ,JIMMIE ,SIMPSON ,P>K1 :]E PEOPLE W]E MEET+ = ! DAY'S S*$UL$ PRISON SOLID>ITY RALLY1 ,I SAW ONLY A SMALL CR[D ( FRI5DS /&+ UND] ! DROOP+ HONEY LOCU/ TREES3 SOME DEBRIEF+ OR CONSOL+ ONE ANO!R1 O!RS SPEAK+ ) ! REPORT]S :O SW>M$ LIKE GNATS >\ND ! GA!R+4 ,?IS SP>SE GR\P ( AB\T ?IRTY WAS ALL ?AT REMA9$ AFT] ! PREEMPTIVE KIDNAP+S & MASS >RE/S4 ,I CAN'T REMEMB] IF ,I FELT ANY P>TICUL> S5SE ( =EBOD+--ANY E]IE APPREH5SION ( :Y ,I TOO HADN'T BE5 TAK5 AWAY4 

,AS \R DIM9I%$ GR\P WALK$ FROM ! P>K TO ! DET5TION C5T] :]E \R FRI5DS W]E BE+ HELD1 ,I HOP$ TO BE ABLE TO F9D SOME NEWS ( :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO MY P>TN]1 OR TO ANYONE = ?AT MATT]4 

,! GRAY SKY SPR9KL$ RA9 UPON US1 BUT WE W]E HAPPY & SMIL+4 ,WE *ANT$1 SANG1 PLAY$ 9/RUM5TS & %>$ :ATEV] FOOD WE'D BR\<T4 ,COPS SURR\ND$ US1 JO/L+ ! CR[D TO /EP F>!R AWAY FROM ! *A9 L9K F5CE SURR\ND+ ! PRISON4 ,I'D BE5 !RE AB\T HALF AN H\R :5 ! UNM>K$ VAN DROVE 9TO ! CR[D4 ,A GR\P ( M5 JUMP$ \T & =C$ !IR WAY T[>D ME1 YELL+ = PEOPLE TO MOVE \T ( ! WAY4 ,ONE ( !M SAID MY NAME1 & )9 SECONDS !Y HAD DRAGG$ ME 9TO ! VAN4 

,I CAN'T SAY ,I FELT ANY?+ :5 MY FACE HIT ! FLOOR1 BUT LAT] 9 MY CELL ,I NOTIC$ A DEEP ?ROBB+ 9 MY TEE? & GUMS4 ,! FRONT ONES W]E LOOSE4 ,MY M\? TA/$ LIKE BLOOD4 

,ONE ( ! COPS :O'D PULL$ ME 9TO ! VAN ASK$ ME IF ,I WAS ON WELF>E4 ,HE LE]$ AT MY B>E LEGS & TOLD ME ,I NE$$ A RAZOR4 ,ANO!R TI$ MY WRI/S ) ZIP TIES & PROCE$$ TO RIFLE ?R\< MY PURSE4 

,9SIDE1 ! BUILD+ WAS A MASSIVE W>EH\SE FILL$ ) WIRE CAGES1 LIKE SOME 9DU/RIAL *ICK5 F>M4 ,! NOISE ( O!R PRISON]S SCREAM+ PROTE/ SONGS & RATTL+ ! DOORS ( !IR CAGES E*O$ (F ! CONCRETE WALLS1 MAK+ \R NUMB]S SEEM GREAT] EV5 ?AN ! #iib PEOPLE OCCUPY+ CELLS4 ,!Y PUT ME 9 A CAGE & LOCK$ ! DOOR4 ,ON ! WALL TO MY LEFT ,I SAW A GU>D SCRIBBLE MY NAME ON A :ITE BO>D ALONGSIDE ! WORDS 0DO NOT RELEASE40 ,I SAT D[N ON ! CONCRETE & ANTICIPAT$ ! WOR/4 

,! FOLL[+ DAY ,I WAS HOSPITALIZ$ AFT] LOS+ CONSCI\SNESS FROM L[ BLOOD SUG>4 ,ALL WE W]E GIV5 TO EAT WAS A *EESE S&WI* EV]Y #ab TO #bd H\RS ) NO ALT]NATIVES = ?OSE :O W]E VEGAN OR HAD AN ALL]GY4 ,I WAS UNABLE TO WALK TO ! M$ICAL TRAIL]2 ! GU>DS 9=M$ ME ?AT ?IS CON/ITUT$ REFUS+ M$ICAL ATT5TION4 ,ANO!R PRISON] :O OV]HE>D ?IS SCREAM$ AT A GU>D :O WAS BUSY AMUS+ HIMSELF DO+ TRICKS 9 AN UNUS$ :EEL*AIR1 & !Y BR\<T IT TO MY CELL %ORTLY AFT]4 

,A FEMALE GU>D SN>L$ AT ME TO 0CLOSE MY FUCK+ LEGS0 :ILE ,I SAT SPRAWL$ 9SIDE ! M$ICAL TRAIL] ) AN 9TRAV5\S GLUCOSE DRIP 9 MY >M4 ,I'D BE5 >RE/$ 9 A %ORT SKIRT & TANK TOP1 & !Y HAD REFUS$ ME1 NUM]\S TIMES1 PANTS OR A BLANKET4 ,IT WAS FREEZ+ 9SIDE ! DET5TION C5T]4 ,!RE WAS NO WAY TO GET (F ! B>E CONCRETE4 ,MY TEE? *ATT]$ CON/ANTLY1 & ,I NEV] /OPP$ %AK+4 ,IT WAS TOO COLD TO SLEEP4 

,AFT] !Y TOOK ME BACK TO MY CELL1 ,I C\LD HE> A MAN NE>BY SCREAM+ ?AT HE NE$$ HIS M$ICATION4 ,HE SCREAM$ = H\RS BE=E /OPP+ ABRUPTLY2 ,I PRESS$ MY FACE TO ! CAGE DOOR & ,I C\LD SEE HIM CONVULS+ ON ! FLOOR ( HIS CELL ) HIS TONGUE HANG+ \T ( HIS M\?4 0,GET UP10 ! GU>DS TOLD HIM1 REPEAT$LY1 BE=E F9ALLY ACKN[L$G+ HIS UNCONSCI\SNESS4 ,!N !Y DRAGG$ HIM AWAY4 

,C\NTLESS PEOPLE W]E PROCESS$ & RELEAS$1 MANY ( !M ) BRUISES1 CUTS & ABRASIONS ON !IR >MS & FACES FROM BE+ SLAMM$ 9TO ! CONCRETE4 ,A NUMB] ( ! GU>DS PASS$ ! TIME BY SPEW+ RACI/1 HOMOPHOBIC1 CLASSI/1 & SEXI/ H>ASSM5T AT PRISON]S1 OR ?REAT5+ !M ) FUR!R BRUTALIZATION4 ,A NUMB] ( WOM5 W]E ?REAT5$ ) RAPE4 

,H\RS & H\RS PASS$1 & IT BECAME 9CREAS+LY CLE> ?AT ,I W\LD NOT BE ALL[$ TO CALL MY LAWY] OR LET MY FAMILY KN[ :]E ,I WAS4 ,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I HADN'T YET BE5 9=M$ ( MY *>GES4 ,I SP5T OV] TWO DAYS 9 MY CELL1 CURL$ 9 A BALL ON ! CONCRETE OR PAC+ ! SMALL VIC9ITY ( MY CAGE1 SOMETIMES YELL+ TO O!R PRISON]S OR JO9+ !M 9 HY/]ICAL1 SLEEP-DEPRIV$ B\TS ( LAU<T]4 

,I WAS UNSURPRIS$ TO SEE A FEW OLD FRI5DS FROM ,TORONTO'S /REET COMMUNITY PASS ?R\< ! DET5TION C5T]4 ,W]E IT NOT = ! UN=TUNATE SITUATION1 IT W\LD HAVE BE5 A WELCOME REUNION4 ,:5 AN ACQUA9TANCE ( M9E 5D$ UP 9 ! CELL BESIDE ME1 WE />T$ TALK+ AB\T ! CIRCUM/ANCES ?AT HAD BR\<T US !RE4 ,ONLY SEV5TE51 HE HAD SP5T ! MAJORITY ( HIS LIFE BE+ TRANSF]R$ FROM GR\P HOME TO GR\P HOME4 ,S9CE HE HAD F9ALLY BE5 APPO9T$ AS HIS [N LEGAL GU>DIAN1 HIS LIFE HAD BE5 PLAGU$ BY POV]TY1 CLASS PR(IL+1 & PREJUDICE 9 ! C\RT SY/EM4 ,AL?\< HE DIDN'T CONSID] HIMSELF AN 0ACTIVI/10 HE WAS OBVI\SLY MORE /EEP$ 9 ! REALITIES ( SOCIAL /RUGGLE ?AN A L>GE PORTION ( ! O!R DETA9EES4 ,WE TALK$ AB\T \R MUTUAL EXP]I5CES ) POLICE1 %ELT]S1 GR\P HOMES1 & HOMELESSNESS4 ,WE TALK$ AB\T H[ !SE EXP]I5CES HAD POLITICIZ$ US1 & H[ A P]SON DOESN'T NE$ TO UND]/& P>TY POLITICS TO BE POLITICAL4 ,EV]Y POOR P]SON IS POLITICAL1 WE AGRE$1 JU/ BY NATURE ( !IR EXP]I5CES4 

,I REALIZ$ AT ?AT PO9T ?AT ,I PROBABLY HAD MORE 9 COMMON ) HIM ?AN ,I DID ) MO/ ( ! O!R PROTE/]S4 ,UN=TUNATE AS IT WAS1 LIFE HAD ALREADY ACCLIMATIZ$ US TO BE TREAT$ LIKE %IT BY ! AU?ORITIES4 ,NONE ( ?IS SURPRIS$ US4 ,WE W]E US$ TO BE+ BEAT51 HAV+ \R RI<TS /RIPP$ AWAY4 

,AFT] MO/ ( ! DET5TION C5T] HAD BE5 EMPTI$1 ,I WAS TRANSF]R$ TO ! G5]AL POPULATION AT ! WOM5'S PRISON 9 ,MILTON4 ,:ILE WE WAIT$ TO BE PROCESS$ 9 ! HOLD+ CELLS1 ! O!R WOM5 & ,I LAU<$ & JOK$1 TRAD+ /ORIES AB\T H[ WE'D 5D$ UP :]E WE W]E4 ,A LOT ( !M W]E >RE/$ & PRESUM$ GUILTY = UNEQUIVOCAL BULL%IT2 = BE+ HOMELESS1 POOR1 NON:ITE1 US+ DRUGS1 WORK+ 9 ! SEX TRADE1 OR ANY COMB9ATION ( !SE FACTORS4 ,O!RS W]E >RE/$ = CRIMES ( NECESSITY3 = /EAL+ FOOD BECAUSE !Y W]E HUNGRY1 OR ROBB+ A /ORE TO FE$ !IR Y\NG KIDS1 = NE$+ A WAY TO PAY R5T4 ,A FEW HAD BE5 *>G$ ) ASSAULT AFT] HAV+ F\<T BACK AGA9/ ABUSIVE SP\SES4 ,I TOLD !M MY *>GES1 & GOT A LOT ( HUGS1 HI<-FIVES1 & CONGRATULATIONS4 0,FUCK+ RI<T10 PEOPLE SAID1 SLAPP+ ME ON ! BACK4 0,FUCK ! RI* BA/>DS6 ,FUCK ! ,G#b60 

,SOME PEOPLE HAD BE5 UNCLE> AS TO :AT ! SUMMIT HAD BE5 ALL AB\T1 & WE GOT 9TO A LONG CONV]SATION AB\T IT4 ,WE ALL LAU<$1 RANT$1 WAIT$1 & LAU<$ SOME MORE4 ,IF !SE W]E ! WOM5 ) :OM ,I'D BE SURR\ND$1 ,I ?\<T TO MYSELF1 MAYBE PRISON WON'T BE ALL ?AT BAD4 

,MY FIR/ DAYS 9SIDE W]E L>GELY SP5T ADJU/+ TO ! PRISON 5VIRONM5T1 & AS TIME W5T ON1 MY NEW SETT+ REM9D$ ME 9CREAS+LY ( ! YE>S ,I SP5T LIV+ ON ! /REET :5 ,I WAS A TE5AG]4 

,ON ! /REETS1 AS 9 PRISON1 Y\ NEV] GET A DEC5T NI<T'S SLEEP OR A MEAL ?AT RESEMBLES REAL FOOD4 ,!RE >E ALWAYS A FEW >ROGANT PEOPLE :O ?9K !Y RUN EV]Y?+ BECAUSE !Y'VE BE5 !RE ! LONGE/1 & PEOPLE 9 UNI=MS CAN DO :ATEV] !Y WANT TO Y\ & GET AWAY ) IT4 ,9 BO? SITUATIONS1 Y\R /ATUS AS A HUMAN BE+ IS REVOK$4 ,HUMANITY IS A PRIVILEGE AW>D$ TO ?OSE :O HELP P]PETUATE CAPITALISM1 & ONCE Y\ CEASE TO DO ?AT1 Y\'RE A BURD54 ,Y\'RE EXPECT$ TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO ! SY/EM ?AT <ETTOIZES Y\1 DOL+ \T A FEW TABLE SCRAPS & A ?9 BLANKET4 

,! FIR/ RANGE ,I WAS S5T TO WAS R5[N$ = BE+ ! LEA/ HOSPITABLE4 ,WE W]E LOCK$ 9 \R CELLS = MO/ ( ! DAY4 ,EA* HAD ONE B$1 ?\< ! HI< VOLUME ( PRISON]S MEANT ?AT TWO PEOPLE USUALLY %>$ A CELL4 ,! ONLY W9D[S W]E ?9 SLATS ( FRO/$ GLASS TOO OPAQUE TO SEE ?R\<1 & WE W]E ALL[$ \TSIDE ONLY ONCE A WEEK4 0,\TSIDE0 WAS A SMALL WALL$ CONCRETE 5CLOSURE ) METAL GRAT+ = A CEIL+4 ,?R\< A SMALL CRACK UND]NEA? ! HEAVY /EEL DOOR1 ,I C\LD SEE GRASS4 ,IT DEPRESS$ ME TO LOOK AT IT4 ,I TRI$ NOT TO4 

,?IS WAS ! RANGE TO :I* PEOPLE W]E S5T AS PUNI%M5T1 = GETT+ 9TO FI<TS1 M\?+ (F TO GU>DS1 BE+ CAU<T ) CONTRAB& OR G5]ALLY FAIL+ TO COMPLY ) PRISON REGULATIONS4 ,IF Y\ W]E 0GOOD0 Y\ QUALIFI$ = TRANSF] TO A M$IUM-SECURITY UNIT1 :]E Y\ C\LD GO TO A REAL \TDOOR EX]CISE Y>D1 HAVE Y\R [N CELL1 & SEE VISITORS )\T A ?ICK PANE ( ,PLEXIGLAS SEP>AT+ Y\4 

,A LOT ( ! WOM5 ON MAXIMUM SECURITY HAD BE5 ON ! SAME RANGE = OV] A YE>4 ,I MET ONE WOMAN :O HAD BE5 !RE = ALMO/ TWO2 %E'D NEV] HAD A MISCONDUCT1 BUT !RE WAS A NOTE 9 H] FILE /AT+ ?AT %E W\LD HAVE TO S]VE H] 5TIRE S5T5CE ON MAXIMUM SECURITY4 ,%E CAME FROM A MAFIA FAMILY1 %E EXPLA9$4 ,PUTT+ H] ON A M$IUM SECURITY UNIT W\LD HAVE BE5 AN OP5 9VITATION = ANY ( H] HI<-UP FRI5DS TO COME BREAK H] \T4 

,AFT] VISIT+ ! CLASSIFICATION (FICE1 ,I LE>N$ ( A SIMIL> NOTE 9 MY FILE4 0,APP>5TLY ,I'M A T]RORI/10 ,I %RUGG$1 :5 PEOPLE ASK$ :Y ,I HADN'T BE5 TRANSF]R$ YET4 

,I WON'T SAY ?AT ,I 9/ANTLY GOT ALONG ) EV]YONE ON MY RANGE1 OR ?AT ,I WAS ! MO/ POPUL> PRISON]4 ,I DIDN'T PAY ATT5TION TO ! HI]>*IES ?AT EXI/$ BETWE5 O!R PRISON]S1 & SOME PEOPLE HAD A PROBLEM ) ?AT4 ,I W\LDN'T JO9 9 :5 O!RS RIDICUL$ OR GANG$ UP ON ! LESS POPUL> WOM54 ,IT WAS A TOTAL PECK+ ORD]1 & IT REM9D$ ME TOO MU* ( A S*OOLY>D4 

,I BECAME CLOSE FRI5DS ) A WOMAN NAM$ ,RA*EL.<#a.> :OM ,I MET 9 ! COMMON >EA DUR+ BREAKFA/ ON A R>E DAY :5 WE W]5'T ON #b#d-H\R LOCK D[N4 ,%E WAS VIOL5TLY ILL FROM DRUG )DRAWAL1 & ! NURSE HADN'T FILL$ H] ME?ADONE PRESCRIPTION4 ,APP>5TLY1 H] CELLMATE WAS A COMPLETE AS%OLE1 SO WE SNUCK H] 9TO MY CELL AFT] ! DOORS W]E BUZZ$ OP54 ,! NEXT GU>D ?AT CAME BY ON H] R\NDS />T$ YELL+ AT US1 BUT WE ASSUR$ H] ?AT ! O!R /AFF HAD TRANSF]R$ ,RA*EL & =GOTT5 TO DO ! PAP]WORK4 ,I DON'T ?9K ! GU>D BELIEV$ US1 BUT %E DIDN'T SEEM TO C>E 5\< TO DO ANY?+ AB\T IT4 

,:5 ,RA*EL WASN'T TOO SICK TO MAKE CONV]SATION1 WE PASS$ ! LONG H\RS ( \R CONF9EM5T PLAY+ C>DS1 S++ TUNELESS R5DITIONS ( ,R@&,B HITS1 WA%+ \R DIRTY UNI=MS 9 ! S9K & TALK+ AB\T LIFE 9 G5]AL4 ,%E LIV$ NE> ,NIAG>A ) H] P>TN]1 !IR F\R-YE>-OLD SON1 & !IR NEWBORN DAU<T]4 ,%E /RUGGL$ ) ADDICTION1 BUT /ILL MANAG$ TO KEEP H] LIFE TOGE!R & BE !RE = H] KIDS4 ,H] DAD HAD BE5 9 & \T ( PRISON MO/ ( H] LIFE1 & H] MOM HAD BE5 DRUNK ALL ! TIME4 ,%E'D SP5T H] E>LY TE5AGE YE>S WORK+ AS A PRO/ITUTE1 & ! CR[N ATTORNEY AT H] BAIL HE>+ HAD US$ ?IS TO >GUE ?AT %E WAS UNFIT TO RE5T] SOCIETY4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT :5 #a#c-YE>-OLD GIRLS 5D UP HOOK+ ON ! /REETS IT'S BECAUSE !Y POSSESS SOME MORAL DEFECT1 & NOT BECAUSE LIFE HAS GIV5 !M NO O!R *OICES4 

,\R CELLS LOOK$ \T ONTO ! COMMON >EA1 AN OVAL-%AP$ CONCRETE ROOM4 ,IT CONTA9$ FIVE BOLT$-D[N TABLES1 F\R %[]S AT ONE 5D1 A %ELF ) A FEW BAD PAP]BACK ROMANCE NOVELS1 & ?REE PHONES1 ONLY TWO ( :I* FUNCTION$4 ,:5 ALL[$ 9TO ! COMMON >EA1 ,I W5T /RAI<T TO WAIT+ 9 L9E = ! PHONES4 ,SOME WOM5 DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY TO CALL OR ONLY HAD RELATIVES \TSIDE ( ! C\NTRY2 ! PHONES ONLY TRANSMITT$ COLLECT CALLS )9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA4 ,O!R WOM5 GRIPP$ ! PHONE RECEIV]S ) :ITE KNUCKLES1 TRY+ TO EXPLA9 TO !IR Y\NG *ILDR5 :Y MOMMY WASN'T COM+ HOME4 ,RA*EL SAID %E HAD TOLD H] P>TN] NOT TO BR+ ! KIDS :5 COM+ TO VISIT H]4 0,!Y'RE JU/ TOO Y\NG4 ,!Y W\LD ONLY BE CONFUS$ BY ! ,PLEXIGLAS 9 ! VISITOR'S CUBICLE4 ,BE+ ABLE TO SEE !IR MO!R1 BUT NOT REA* \T & T\* H]40 

,I ?\<T ( AN >TICLE ,I'D READ ONCE AB\T ANIMAL TE/+ LABORATORIES4 ,ONE ME?OD ! LAB TE*NICIANS US$ TO CREATE SYMPTOMS ( /RESS & DEPRESSION 9 MAMMALS 9VOLV$ REMOV+ NEWBORN BABIES FROM !IR MO!R1 !N PLAC+ ! MO!R 9 ISOLATION4 ,I LOOK$ UP AT ! FLORESC5T CEIL+ LI<TS )9 !IR %ATT]PRO( WIRE CAGES4 ,SOON1 ! NURSE CAME & PEOPLE L9$ UP TO RECEIVE !IR DAILY DOSES ( S$ATIVES & ANTI-PSY*OTICS--A PRECAUTION>Y MEASURE1 PRESCRIB$ TO VIRTUALLY EV]YONE1 LIKE CUTT+ (F ! BEAKS ( FACTORY-F>M$ *ICK5S TO PREV5T !M FROM PECK+ !MSELVES1 OR EA* O!R1 TO DEA? FROM ! /RESS ( CONF9EM5T & ISOLATION4 

,MY VIEWS ( ! PRISON SY/EM SOLIDIFI$3 PRISONS >E LITTLE MORE ?AN W>EH\SES = CONC5TRAT+ ! POOR4 ,RA!R ?AN BE+ POPULAT$ BY ! PEOPLE MO/ H>MFUL TO SOCIETY1 !Y >E CR[D$ ) ?OSE :O HAVE BE5 ! MO/ H>M$ BY SOCIETY4 ,RA!R ?AN BE+ 0CORRECTIONAL0 FACILITIES1 !Y >E A ME?OD ( RIDD+ ! /REETS ( ?OSE :O ACT AS LIV+ REM9D]S ( ! CRISIS ( POV]TY1 ! WID5+ 9COME GAP1 ! FUTURE ( H>D%IP :I* MAY V]Y WELL AWAIT MANY MORE 9 ! COM+ YE>S IF SOME?+ DOES NOT *ANGE4 ,PRISONS >E A WAY ( SWEEP+ PEOPLE UND] ! RUG4 ,!Y >E A WAY ( PRET5D+ ?AT NO?+ IS WRONG4 

,V]Y FEW ( ! WOM5 ON MY RANGE HAD BE5 IMPRISON$ = ANY K9D ( VIOL5T CRIME1 & MO/ ( ?OSE :O DID HAVE VIOL5T *>GES HAD BE5 DEF5D+ !MSELVES AGA9/ ABUSIVE P>TN]S OR ASSAILANTS4 ,MO/ ( !SE WOM5'S ATTACK]S HAD WALK$ AWAY )\T *>GES1 FREE TO ROAM ! /REETS AT !IR LEISURE4 

,! SMALL PORTION ( WOM5 FAC+ VIOL5T *>GES NOT 9VOLV+ SELF-DEF5SE W]E (T5 ! SURVIVORS ( PA/ TRAUMAS2 A HI/ORY R>ELY TAK5 9TO CONSID]ATION BY ! C\RTS ?AT S5T5C$ !M4 ,MU* LIKE ! HOMELESS COMMUNITY1 A L>GE PORTION ( ! WOM5 ) :OM ,I SPOKE W]E SURVIVORS ( ! LIFELONG ONSLAU<T ( ABUSE P]PETRAT$ AGA9/ POOR & DIS5FRAN*IZ$ WOM5 BY \R SOCIETY1 P>TICUL>LY WOM5 ( COLOR4 ,MANY HAD BE5 >RE/$ = NOT HAV+ FULL CITIZ5%IP1 :ILE O!RS HAD BE5 9 ! PROCESS ( APPLY+ = REFUGEE /ATUS4 ,A DI/URB+LY HI< NUMB] ALSO LIV$ ) 7DIS7ABILITIES LIKE ,FETAL ,ALCOHOL ,SYNDROME1 ,FETAL ,N>COTIC ,SYNDROME1 ,S*IZOPHR5IA1 & ,A,D,D_/,A,D,H,D4 

,!SE >E WOM5 :O HAVE BE5 B\NC$ BETWE5 ABUSIVE FO/] HOMES & Y\? DET5TION FACILITIES1 GRADUAT+ AT #af AS W>DS ( ! ,*ILDR5'S ,AID ,SOCIETY ONLY TO BECOME W>DS ( ! ,/ATE1 CRIM9ALIZ$ = DO+ :AT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE ! M9EFIELD ( POV]TY4 

,AS ! DAYS TURN$ 9TO WEEKS1 ,I BEGAN TO ]ASE FROM MY M9D ! HOPE ( BE+ RELEAS$4 ,! HEAL? PROBLEMS ) :I* ,I'VE BE5 LIV+ ! LA/ FEW YE>S BECAME 9CREAS+LY SEV]E1 & ,I (T5 F\ND IT DIFFICULT TO /& UP OR WALK >\ND )\T FA9T+4 ,MY RIBS /UCK \T4 ,MY /OMA* BECAME CONCAVE4 ,I BECAME DEPRESS$4 

,WAS IT /RESS1 OV]LY-PROCESS$ FOOD1 OR A G5]AL LACK ( FRE% AIR & EX]CISE ?AT MADE ME UNHEAL?Y8 ,PROBABLY SOME COMB9ATION ( ALL !SE ?+S4 ,)\T EV5 EXAM9+ ME1 ! DOCTOR PUT ME ON A LIQUID DIET1 :I* 9 JAIL CONSI/S L>GELY ( JUICE CRY/ALS1 WAT]1 & ,M,S,G-FILL$ S\P P[D]4 ,:5 ,I WAS F9ALLY S5T TO ! EXAM9ATION ROOM ,I WAS TOLD ?AT NO?+ SEEM$ TO BE WRONG ) ME1 REG>DLESS ( ! FACT ?AT ,I'D LO/ CLOSE TO #b P\NDS1 FELT TIR$ CON/ANTLY1 & WAS 9 S]I\S PA9 & DISCOM=T4 

,I TALK$ TO MY P>TN] ON ! PHONE1 BUT HIS VOICE S\ND$ DI/ANT & CRACKLY ?R\< ! RECEIV]4 ,HE CAME TO VISIT ME1 & WE PRESS$ \R H&S TO ! 9*-?ICK ,PLEXIGLAS BETWE5 US4 ,IT WAS ALMO/ H>D] ?AN NOT SEE+ HIM4 ,MY MOM S\ND$ /RESS$ :5EV] ,I CALL$ H]1 & ,I C\LD HE> MY DOG H[L+ 9 ! BACKGR\ND AT ! S\ND ( MY VOICE ?R\< ! RECEIV]4 

,I NE$$ TO TALK TO SOMEBODY1 BUT ! PROSPECT ( BE+ =CE-F$ ,?ORAZ9E DISSUAD$ ME FROM APPLY+ TO SEE ! PSY*IATRI/4 ,SO ,I W5T TO ! PRISON ,*APLA91 = ! %E] NOVELTY4 ,HE WAS A SQU>E-JAW$ MAN 9 A GRAY SUIT1 ) ! BE>+ ( A ,TELEVANGELI/4 ,HE TOLD ME ,I WAS 9 PRISON BECAUSE ,I HAD S9N$1 & ?AT ,I HAD TO REP5T = !SE S9S4 ,I WAS 9 MY CURR5T SITUATION BECAUSE ! ,DEVIL HAD L$ ME A/RAY4 

0,BUT ,JESUS WAS A POLITICAL PRISON]60 ,I SAID4 0,! ,DEVIL DIDN'T TELL ME TO DO ANY?+2 ,I'M A POLITICAL PRISON] LIKE ,JESUS60 ,HE ?\<T ,I WAS CRAZY4 

,I WAS RELEAS$ AFT] AB\T A MON? ON CONDITIONS ( /RICT H\SE >RE/ & NON-ASSOCIATION ) SOME ( MY CLOSE/ FRI5DS4 ,ALL ,I FELT WAS NUMB4 ,I WALK$ 9TO ! P>K+ LOT ) MY FAMILY & MY P>TN]1 SQU9T+ UND] ! BRI<T SUNLI<T4 ,WE DROVE BACK TO ! H\SE :]E ,I LIV$ AS A KID & ,I SLEPT = DAYS4 ,AT FIR/ ,I FELT F9E4 ,I C\LD LEAVE ! H\SE1 IF ,I WAS ) MY P>5TS1 TO TAKE ! DOGS = WALKS 9 ! LA/ ( SUMM]'S W>M WEA!R4 ,I DRANK C(FEE1 READ A LOT4 ,PEOPLE ,I'D NEV] MET S5T ME /ICK]S & Z9ES & NICE LETT]S 9 ! MAIL4 

,TWO MON?S LAT] ,I />T$ HAV+ PANIC ATTACKS1 9SOMNIA1 & N]V\S BREAKD[NS ON AN ALMO/ DAILY BASIS4 ,:5 ,I DID SLEEP1 ,I HAD AWFUL NI<TM>ES4 ,IT SEEM$ AS ?\< EV]Y PA/ 9/ANCE ( TRAUMA & VIOL5CE ,I'D SE5 OR EXP]I5C$ HAD BE5 CONSOLIDAT$ 9TO A HEAVY1 POISON\S LUMP1 SL[LY TURN+ MY 9SIDES BLACK & ROTT54 ,I FELT LIKE ! WORLD WAS JU/ TOO UGLY TO LIVE 94 ,I WAS SUFFOCAT+ UND] ! WEI<T ( CLE>-CUT =E/S & FL\ND]+1 T>-DR[N$ %ORE BIRDS4 ,:5 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES ALL ,I C\LD SEE WAS TORTURE & W>1 DR\<TS & *EMICAL SPILLS1 NAPALM4 

,ALL ,I WANT$ WAS TO MOVE PA/ ! NEGATIVE EXP]I5CES ,I'D HAD & WORK T[>DS PIEC+ MY LIFE BACK TOGE!R4 ,BUT ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ! PA9 ,I FELT WAS TRY+ TO TELL ME SOME?+3 ,I W\LD NOT BE ABLE TO =GET & MOVE ON AS ?\< NONE ( ?IS HAD HAPP5$4 ,9 A WAY1 ,I ?9K ! DISGU/ & PA9 WE FEEL :5 WE SEE OR EXP]I5CE SOME?+ HORRIFIC CAN BE ! GREATE/ CATALY/ = CREAT+ POSITIVE *ANGE4 ,:5 WE EXP]I5CE SOME?+ FIR/H& WE >E BETT] EQUIPP$ TO UND]/& IT--& ) ?AT UND]/&+ WE CAN $UCATE O!RS & GIVE REAL SUPPORT TO ?OSE :O >E ALSO EXP]I5C+ IT4 ,WE CAN SEE ITS FLAWS & WEAK PO9TS1 & WE CAN USE ?IS KN[L$GE TO CRITICIZE1 DISCR$IT1 & EV5TUALLY DE/ROY IT4 

,AL?\< ,I NEV] HE>D ?IS SAID FIR/H&1 O!RS TOLD ME !Y OV]HE>D QUITE A FEW Y\NG PEOPLE SAY !Y'D NEV] GO TO ANO!R PROTE/ AGA9 AFT] !IR EXP]I5CES AT ! DET5TION C5T]4 ,I FELT NOT ONLY DISAPPO9T$ ?AT EV]YONE HADN'T BE5 ABLE TO SEE ! WAYS TO RECLAIM !SE EXP]I5CES & USE !M AS FUR!R MOTIVATION1 BUT PR(\NDLY CONFUS$ BY ?IS P]SPECTIVE4 ,:AT WE W5T ?R\< DUR+ ! MASS >RE/S AT ! ,G#b WAS ONLY A SMALL W9D[ 9TO ! EV]YDAY EXP]I5CES ( C\NTLESS M9ORITIES 9 ?IS C\NTRY :O SUFF] POLICE PR(IL+1 BRUTALITY1 & PREJUDICE )9 ! LEGAL SY/EM ON A HORRIFY+LY REGUL> BASIS4 ,AS H>D AS ,I TRY1 ,I SIMPLY CAN'T UND]/& ! NOTION ?AT ANYONE C\LD PROPOSE TO BE AN ALLY ( ANY M>G9ALIZ$ GR\P1 !N GIVE UP & TURN AWAY :5 FAC$ ) A T9Y MICROCOSM ( :AT ?AT GR\P PUTS UP ) EV]YDAY4 

,MY EXP]I5CE 9 PRISON & ! WOM5 ) :OM ,I %>$ IT HAVE REM9D$ ME ( ! REASONS ,I BECAME POLITICALLY ACTIVE 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,!Y'VE REM9D$ ME ( ! SORR[1 ! DESP]ATION1 ! HE>TBREAK1 ! TRAUMA1 ! UNLIVABLE REALITIES ( POV]TY ?AT FIR/ SPURR$ ME TO GET MY LIFE TOGE!R & D$ICATE MYSELF TO HELP+ O!RS RA!R ?AN ACCEPT+ ! CONDITIONS 9 :I* ,I LIV$4 ,BE+ 9 PRISON REM9D$ ME ( ! CORE ( MY POLITICS4 ,AT ! BOTTOM ( IT1 WE W]E ALL 9SIDE ?AT PRISON = ! EXACT SAME REASON4 ,WE W]E DANG]\S ONLY 9 ! S5SE ?AT \R EXI/5CE DISCR$IT$ ,CANADA'S /ATUS AS A PLACE ( LIB]TY & EQUALITY4 ,WE W]E A GL>+ REM9D] ?AT ?IS C\NTRY DOESN'T (F] EQUAL /ATUS & OPPORTUNITY TO EV]YONE4 

,SOME POLITICAL PRISON]S >E >RE/$ = /AG+ PUBLIC DEMON/RATIONS ?AT ADDRESS POV]TY1 & SOME >E >RE/$ = LIV+ 9 POV]TY4 ,SOME ACTIVELY PROTE/ SOCIAL 9EQUALITY1 :ILE O!RS TURN TO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL BECAUSE !Y CAN NO LONG] BE> ! BRUNT ( ?IS 9EQUALITY4 ,SOME *OOSE TO PUBLICLY DRAW ATT5TION TO 9JU/ICE BY !IR WORDS & ACTIONS1 :ILE O!RS >E SWEPT (F ! /REETS BECAUSE !IR V]Y PRES5CE IS A PUBLIC EXPOSURE ( ?IS 9JU/ICE4 ,N[ IS ! TIME = EV]YONE 9 \R COMMUNITY TO ?9K AB\T :AT IT REALLY MEANS TO SAY ?AT EV]Y PRISON] IS A POLITICAL PRISON]4 ,! NEXT TIME WE'RE %OCK$ & \TRAG$ BY AN EXP]I5CE ( BE+ T>GET$1 H>ASS$1 OR O!RWISE MI/REAT$ BY LAW 5=CEM5T OR SOCIETY 9 G5]AL1 WE %\LD /OP TO RECOGNIZE H[ MU* RESPECT WE [E TO ! PEOPLE ALL >\ND US :O FACE MU* MORE ?AN ?AT EV]Y DAY ( !IR LIVES4 ,EV]Y PRISON] IS A POLITICAL PRISON]4 

.<#a.> ,ALL NAMES HAVE BE5 *ANG$ TO PROTECT ! ID5TITIES ( ?OSE M5TION$4 

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