REALITY OF A PREISON WRITER 19—-E.C. Theus-Roberts
Life without purpose is a waste. Whether out and about in society or behind bars merely existing in such a drag. You see this most vividly in prison life (a bit of an oxymoron that).
For your average prisoner it’s roll out of bed (maybe) at breakfast; go back to sleep or watch some TV; maybe do some pushups; most likely do a lot of pacing; drink coffee and eat junk food; draw something or write a couple letters; speculate, gripe, spew the occasional vitriolic tirade followed by by more pacing, TV, coffee and junk food; fantasize more about women and “outside”; dinner, then more TV and hours of unrestful sleep. Wake Up and repeat daily.
That is hell. Bill Murray had it way better in “Groundhog Day”. To quote one of my writer friends: “I want something outside of prison. (Blank) this place.”
And I whole-heartedly agree. Being stuck, surrounded by short-sightedness is horrible. If you only live by what you see in front of you in prison, then you’ve chosen to live within these four walls and steel doors. Something I won’t abide.
I’m always challenging people I meet in prison: What are you doing with your life? What goals are you going to accomplish? What drives you? Why do you get out of bed everyday?
Aristotle said all life is purpose-driven. Which I guess a life without isn’t living?
Prison doesn’t alter who or what I am. If prison can’t change that then it definitely can’t deny my life purpose. Having a purpose is all that makes prison endurable. Otherwise, it’s a Dante’s Inferno-esque “Groundhog Day” until you go bonkers.
Prison Writers Support Organization 