Transcript
In Re: "They Are Not Like Us" By William M. DiMascio June 2013 Graterfriends As a man who sits behind these razor-wire fences, locked down inside in isolation 23 hours a day, alone, to deal with the psychological torment of prison life, I know completely how it feels to be a prisoner. The man who spoke out against the Pennsylvania Prison Society has a right to do so as outlined in the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution Freedom of Speech Clause. The same rights as this man has, I have as well. Let me uphold my duty to the PA Prison Society and defend what I am dedicated to. How this man thinks is how many members of our community view prisoners. Many of these people think that they are above the law and that they could never land inside prison. But as soon as these people are wronged, they realize that they are now no different than the same people they spoke out against. This is why I have fought with all my might to educate members of my community about the realities of prison life. Through education, we can make a difference. A lot of Americans are ignorant because they lack the proper education needed to grow beyond their stereotypical thought patterns. Biased beliefs flood their minds, destroying any possible opportunity of seeing the reality of what prison life is all about. They always say that, "If you control the mind, you control the body." This man alleges that the PA Prison Society is "brainwashing students" and "destroying this country". These comments alone show complete ignorance. Does this man realize that this country was destroyed by Europeans when they first sailed over here? Raping, robbing and murdering innocent native "Americans', all because they wanted this land? Still to this day, our government is taking from the people who live in this country to pay for the building of prisons. He even pays taxes to support the housing of the same people he dislikes. Every time this man pays his yearly taxes he supports these alleged rapists and murderers. Members of the PA Prison Society have helped hundreds of human beings all because of their passion to assist another. Members of this society refuse to support evilness and take time out of their own lives doing so. I admire all individuals who are a part of this society. As for the man who made those ignorant comments in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, don't think because you allegedly have 20 years as a correctional officer that you can't one day be locked behind these prison walls. Ask yourself this: "How many times as an officer have I witnessed abuse of prisoners and never reported it?" Apparently people like yourself support a system that takes your money to keep these institutions operating, when that same money could be used to pay your kids' college tuition, or to help build better schools for our children so they don't have to worry about coming to prison. Christopher Balmer
