Reality of a Prison Writer 4—E.C. Theus-Roberts
Prison holds a lot of consequences for your average person. There are the obvious loss of liberty related restrictions. Then, there is culture shock. Beyond these is “prisoner status reality.” These alone are enough to make anybody’s head burst. For a creative these new relations that much more detrimental.
An imprisoned scribbler myself, I can tell you first hand how difficult it is acclimating to this irreality. Within the penal institution—and without, I found my voice barely registered. My Creativity committed to paper only elicited a mere, “Oh, that’s good. At least you’re staying busy.”
That was within the prison, among friends, even family. Outside, editors and agents probably never bothered to open the envelope after seeing “Colorado Department of Corrections.”
I spent years like that.
Many imprisoned creatives find themselves locked in this nether region, viewed slightly less idle than the average idle prisoner. Their creative contributions valued by many of their fellow prisoners, appreciated by some enlightened minds. For the most part, considered as little more than “busy work”. For every creative acknowledgement is paramount.
Recognition is something us imprisoned creatives must battle for daily without cease. Recognition of our creative product. Recognition of our individuality. Personhood, dignity, humanity.
Recognition is confirmation of being human.
Recognition means what I have to say matters. It’s only after I’ve broken through the blockades, barriers, bulwark of prejudices barring my way, strangling my voice. Only then do people see differently. You can see the lights come on.
Then there is recognition.
Despite general dismissiveness towards imprisoned creatives’ contributions, the battle for recognition of all things that make being human and living worth striving for is a pleasure. It’s a joy to see the dawning in people of new enlightenment; to watch them recognize you as human.
Prison Writers Support Organization 