As I stood near the time clock waiting to punch out, the nurse practitioner said, “But he’s a vegetarian.” She spoke as if she wanted everyone to hear the disbelief in her voice. She spoke with conviction.
“Not anymore,” the resident unit manager said.
Someone else, someone who had been standing near the time clock listening for far longer than I, added, “You ARE what YOU eat.”
The discussion centered on a specific inmate, how he had taken bite-sized portions out of his forearm, how custody staff had to rush his cell in order to get him to healthcare.
A week earlier, staff (including me) were commenting on the above painting titled, “Why My Baby?”
…because he was never held.
…because he was the middle child.
…because he had a substance abuse problem.
…because he couldn’t control his anger.
…because he got in the car.
…because he drove the car.
Because, because, because …
HE IS MENTALLY ILL.
Michigan prison artwork is on display at the University of Michigan. For more information go to http://www.prisonarts.org/ .
6 comments:
You're back! How's life been treating you? JW
Wow. Both are very powerful, of course.
Maybe it tasted like pizza?
...behave Dinners...
...with a glass of chianti and some flava beans?
...shut up Dinners....
I'm still stuck on eating his own forearm. That's scary
That is so creepy. Yes...scary.
I just took a look at the link. The art is so good. Not that I know anything about art, but it's beautiful. It makes me think of all the "what if's" you mention above.
This is mild, compared to some of the more unspeakable acts at our facility.
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