Prison is a place: where the first prisoner you see looks like an All-Canadian College boy, and you’re surprised.

Later you’re disgusted because people on the outside still have the same prejudices that you used to have.

Prison is a place: where you write letters but can’t think of anything to say.

Gradually you write fewer and fewer letters then finally stop altogether.

Prison is a place: where the flame in every man burns low. For some it flickers weakly, flashing brightly every once in a while but just never seems to burn as it once did before.

Prison is a place: where you hate through clenched teeth, where you want to beat, kick and punch. Then wonder if the psychologists know what they’re talking about when they say you hate yourself.

Prison is a place: where you learn that not one person on this miserable planet needs You.

Prison is a place: where one can go for years at a time without the touch of a human hand; it may even be several months without hearing a kind word laced with love or affection.

It’s a place where all your friendships are shallow and you know it.

Prison is a place: where you hear about a friend’s divorce and can’t recall if you even knew he was married.

Prison is a place: where you wait on a promised visit; when it doesn’t come you worry endlessly about an accident. Then when you find out the real reason why they never came, you’re glad it wasn’t serious. But you’re bitter ‘cause such a small thing kept them from coming to see you.

Prison is a place: where you see men that you respect, then you start to wonder if you like them or not.

It’s a place where one strives to remain civilized, but as you lose your footing you do nothing but watch.

Prison is a place: where if you’re married, you watch your marriage die.

It’s a place where you learn that absence does not make the heart grow fonder but blacker. And you stop blaming your woman for wanting a real live man, instead of just a fading memory of one.

I know that prison is a place where you go to bed before you’re tired, then pull the blankets over your head even when you’re not cold.