A SYSTEM OF JUSTICE

“Ask any man with a long-enough experience of prisons, and he’ll tell you that all it takes to harden a man’s heart is a system of justice.”

Gregory David Roberts, “Shantaram”





The tiniest of things bother me and even though I have boat loads of patience my low tolerance for nonsense makes me a prime candidate for stress induced health problems. During my morning classes—that time of day where old timers are more prone to heart attacks—I’m busy stomping out fires. Ten prisoners under the age of twenty-one, know-it-alls who can’t keep their hands off of one another, who think “getting louder” wins the argument, give me few options.

“Listen up,” I’ve announced on more than one occasion, usually during an impromptu rap session, “this is adult education, not ‘jooovy’ education.” They think prison is like sixth grade camp. “I’m giving everyone a direct order to remain seated for the duration of class.”

They scamper to their seats. A few minutes later a young white prisoner decides to test the waters. He gets up and walks past my desk.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask. Before he can answer I say, “Give me the pencil.”

“I bought this pencil,” he says.

I take it anyway and order him to leave the classroom immediately.

He accuses me of stealing what is rightfully his. I’m beyond caring. “Out!” I point toward the door.

When class ends I exchange prisoner identification cards for pencils. One youngster has reached a crossroads. “Can I have my I.D. card?” he asks.

“Pencil!” I bark.

“I don’t have one.”

“Then I don’t have your I.D.”

“Yes you do,” he says. “It’s in your desk, along with the pencil. You took it from Harmon.”

“I’ll need a written statement,” I say.

We both know a written statement is out of the question. Not that it matters, this young man is doing time for slitting someone’s throat over a debt. I tell him that not only did Prisoner Harmon disrespect me but he disrespected him as well. He understands. I give him his I.D. card. I’m sure a discussion between the two will take place out on the yard. Perhaps there’ll be a little prison justice after all.