Jailed Perceptions
by Gina Baeg
(Illinois, USA)When I stepped into the jail room, I saw the swivel of heads, and 300 pairs of eyes. The eyes of convicts in one of the highest security prisons in Mexico, El Hongo, stared at me. The strangest part is, I willingly, even eagerly, went into the situation not knowing what to expect.
I stood on a crude cement floor stage with a throbbing headache and other drama team members. How was I expected to perform a Jesus skit when 300 convicts were leering at me? The music started, and I mechanically performed the correct gestures and even facial expressions, masking my one true expression of fear. The skit ended to scattered and hesitant applause, and I realized that the mission wasn’t over.
I faced two choices: preparing the flaccid hotdog with sickly sweet punch or serving the criminals the feast. I monotonously placed wiener after wiener in bun after bun, anything to avoid any personal contact with a dangerous stranger. However, I couldn’t repress the urge to sneak glances at the gang bangers, murderers, rapists, and drug dealers.
Eventually, I formed a morbid curiosity about these convicts. I still had one more chance to satisfy my knowledge, if only to boast to my friends back home about the experience. Gathering my courage, I volunteered to distribute care packages, a crude bundle of jumbled toiletries wrapped in saran wrapping. My body tensed as I stretched my arm to give away a package, anticipating hostility. Instead I was met with a polite “gracias”, smiles, and even tears of gratefulness. Dazed, I automatically smiled back and politely murmured “you’re welcome.”
The time came quickly. The guards herded the inmates toward exit. The team formed two long lines so that we could acknowledge every person leaving towards a sunless cell. I shook hands, exchanged goodbyes, smiled at, and even hugged 300 convicts. I realized that they weren’t monsters after all, just people who made terrible mistakes. Still, when everyone was gone, the empty, echoing, concrete room reminded me too much of the eyes I saw that day.
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October 19 2008 06:25 am | Uncategorized
January 27th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Good work! Thank you!
I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
Of course, I will add backlink?
Sincerely, Timur I. Alhimenkov
February 1st, 2009 at 8:10 am
Yes, as long as you add a backlink to Gina’s original article, it should be fine.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hi there
If anyone knows or provide..
I need UK VPN account.. (to bypass unblock etc..)
I already have USA vpn account..
I dont want to provide vpn service..
I want to buy and enjoy one..
February 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Hi. Your site displays incorrectly in Explorer, but content excellent! Thanks for your wise words =)