Correcting the Myth

[TDCJReformer]

I have heard people saying that prison is just a 3 hots and a cot and the life of luxury at the tax payer's expense. I want to correct that myth.

Lets start at the beginning. Firstly prison is not a holiday camp. it is not a fun place to be, nor is it a place where you can feel respected and appreciated.

The intake process is deliberately designed to demean and tear you down. Your dignity will be taken away from you, your independence and uniqueness will be removed from you.

Your 3 hots will be eaten having been 'cooked' by fellow inmates and you have a choice. You can take it or leave it. You will eat when told to and if you miss it, you go hungry. You won't have to worry about washing the dishes though, although the plastic plates, mugs and spork may not look clean, you have no choice but to use them.

Your 'cot' comprises of a metal platform with a plastic covered 'pad' as a mattress. You will get a blanket in winter and two sheets, but just two sheets in summer. There is no air-conditioning but the good news is that there is heating.

You will have to share a toilet which will have no privacy. Your 8x5 space will be shared with one other person who you have no say in who it is.

Contrary to opinion there is no cell phone, internet, own TV, no MP3 players, no playing cards, no electronic games only dominoes, chess and scrabble.

There will be constant noise, constant interruptions and you have no privacy, not even when showering.

Oh and for good measure you will be expected to work and get nothing for it, nada, zilch...and don't expect to relax when you reach 'retirement age'. That doesn't exist.

So if going to prison was your retirement plan...I would seriously think again.