Isolation incarceration

"Isolation Incarceration" When I went to prison on a petty theft with a prior charge I was emotionally scared. It was the year 2000 and I was a young black prodigy trapped behind bars. Sent to Donovan State Prison which was a scary place because the facility known for assaults, fights, and acts of violence among the different races where very common place. Even for the most hardened criminals the climate of trauma caused anxiety, phobias and depression, so during my first month locked up my only concern was gaining respect and avoiding fights in a relentless pursuit of safety while dwelling in the department of corrections. Support from loved ones was limited to just letters because they couldn't afford the cost of collect calls, so by not being able to talk on the telephone to worried family members also exacerbated my preexisting mental health issue of having bi-polar disorder while incarcerated behind prison walls. So I lashed out my first few months in prison and caught time in administrative segregation, for the blatant disrespect to prison staff administration. Needless to say the challenges of physical and psychological survival in the hole are very real, when you are confined in a cell which is only 6x9 and locked inside a building where 65% of the inmates are taking medication because they are severely mentally ill. Lots of chaos goes on and many inmates are depressed and fatigued due to solitary confinement, unfair grievance practices, insufficient food, dirty clothing and unattended medical needs. So I was basically dwelling in a dark dungeon abused and misused, but I utilized my physical, mental and spiritual tools to keep my composure and never blow a fuse. Exercising my mind as well as my spirit, I was known as the "Energetic Psychedelic" rapper on the tier who could uplift a 25-lifer's state of mind with just a funky dope lyric. Correctional officers even commented on my creativity and encouraged me to use it as a shield against my spiritual enemies. So even though I was locked up my mind was free, because I believe with all my heart God blesses those who use their talents to teach and serve those around thee. Eighteen years later I look back and realize my holy spirit is radiation leading to the creamation of Satan's creation. Now in these last days of times inspiration = illumination to help prisoners reenter society and overcome the challenges of mass incarceration. Shawn 11/5/2018