Disciples of El-Shabazz: Chapter
1
"Jar-el, visit" came the shout,
briefly silencing the hubbub of conversations and other going-ons of my
fellow inmates in 4C North. "Refuse!" I yelled back from my
cell, furious at being disturbed from a hugely deserved weekend sleep. I
had returned from "the hole" that morning after a three day excursion,
thanks to a melee involving myself and one Douglas Ayala over telephone
rights. I'd unfortunately wrapped the metal cord around the poser'S throat
seriously leaving visible evidence and there you go. Incarceration simply
doesn't work period. It merely brings dangerous dormant thoughts and
hidden sadisms to the surface of even the most docile person. The daily
violence and unpredictability of events on "the range" was becoming
enjoyable - one became incensed at the most stupid of reasons. I was slowly losing
it.

"Jar-el out of the cell now, you asshole!"
screamed the copper. "Fuck you pig!" I yelled back. "Yeaaaah!" came the
collective shout of approval by some thirty odd inmates; trouble always
spelt entertainment for the bored fucks. I heard the guard yell "Key up!",
and counted the seconds before his backup arrived. "Open 4C North" he
shouted at the CCTV camera. I heard the hated sound of electric bolts
being undone and waited for them, psyching myself up with some controlled
breathing tricks. A thorough thrashing was coming but I just didn't care.
The pain kept me focused:
there was no way I was going to loose my mind in here. It was simply a
matter of time and patience.
A hush descended on the range as the
sound of footsteps and jingling keys approached my cell. I was on the
upper bunk in a two person cell and knew from experience I could get
in at least one nasty kick before they threw me down for the boots and
sticks. They stopped at the door, excitement written all over their sick
faces. Thirty minutes later I was back in the hole, coughing up blood and
nursing a broken nose.
At least I was off the range I
thought to myself. It was just another day in the Toronto Don
jail.
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Dealing with downtime: For close to a year after my release
political & gangsta rap was all I listened to. It takes immense
will power not to seek revenge on one's tormentors - it would have
been too easy to stalk some sick fucks from the prison services and
treat them like the animals they are. Justice will one day be served
- hell is endless. |
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