JeyT had tattoos all over his arms. He said each one represented some philosophy,
theology, or some girl he dated or with whom he was in love.
He said that among the many things he did for a living, he
also did tattoos on people for $100 per hour. He cited doctors, lawyers, and
other professionals among his customers.
“You just don’t see it because sometimes it’s a small symbol and it’s
hidden. Many people with tattoos wear
long sleeves. The heat from the sun will
drain the dye, so it’s better to cover it. “
JT was an avid science fiction reader who declared that most
of the books I had in the prison library, were rereads for him. He said on this day he would not borrow many
books because he felt he was leaving soon.
I thought he was leaving for his freedom, but he said no, he was leaving
for a state prison, and a long sentence.
I expressed surprise, when he informed me he had been in
prison for 15 years.
‘You must like it, I said why you commit another offense to
return.” “No.” he said, “The prison
system does not prepare you to go back into society. You spend the greater part of your life in
prison. There everything is done for
you. People tell you what to do every
step of the way. You don’t have to worry about rent or any other form of
expense. Then you are placed back in
society. You are confronted with the
pressures, people’s behavior, expenses, and so many negative forces. You were never taught or prepared to cope
with these. It is very easy to find the
easiest way out.”
“You articulate the problems very well, so having identified
them I expect you would have been one of those who could cope.”
He laughed. “The judge said the same thing, but you have to
understand it is one thing articulating, it is another thing to actually deal
with it.”
He would have continued, but it was time to go. He had chosen to spend his allocated
recreation time in the library, and now he must return to his cell.
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