For Urban Drip Magazine
By Eural J. Black
If you have a loved one who is in prison more than likely you’re worrying about them. You may wonder if they’re going to be safe. Have they learned their lesson this time, and are they going to stay out of trouble? And what do they do with all that money I send them.
One of the most important things that a person needs to get through their sentence is to choose the right guys to hang with. Prison is tribal so who they associate with is important. Guys will hang out with other guys from their same neighborhood, city, or state. Some guys do that for protection. Other guys might feel more comfortable with people that they have something in common with.
Sometimes younger guys gravitate towards older guys. They might like the wisdom and knowledge that older, more mature men offer. The young guys might want to switch it up and hang out with the old heads, or OG’s, or unc’s -short for uncle. In some cases the older guys might remind them of someone they respected “in the world” (a prison idiom for people in the free world). The young guys don’t want to be preached to but they will accept constructive criticism. They want to be treated with respect and with dignity. They know that older, more mature guys act differently. They’ve been around and for the most part they stay out of trouble. Older guys who have been in the system know how to move.
If a person is still fighting their case, trying to get their sentence reduced, understanding federal law is hard. Some of us may be uneducated or undereducated. The system is designed for us to get frustrated and give up. Accept our fate. But there are times when the laws change in our favor and we might have a glimmer of hope. If someone doesn’t understand something that may help them, they’ll reach out to someone else who might know something about the law. Or if a guy has any kind of problem or question and needs someone to talk to, finding a friendly face is essential and that’s where old guys, that avuncular figure comes in.
When I was transferred back to Beckley FCI after being treated for cancer, I learned that there was an old head from my city here. That was cool because he might be someone I had something in common with. The guys introduced me to this guy Donald “Doc” Reynolds, and once I talked with him I knew he was a good guy. He’s a renowned author and an all around great guy. Guys treat him with the utmost respect. He encourages guys to use their time constructively and not settle for mediocrity. He knows when guys are slacking, being complacent and fallow, which is most of the time. I’ve heard him tell young men;
“Use your talents to help make a better life for yourself and your family. It’s dangerous being poor in this country.”
“Just because we’re incarcerated doesn’t mean we can’t share our stories with others, you never know, your story might help another brother going through what you went through.”
“We all have something positive to contribute to society.”
“There’s a benefit to being out of your comfort zone.”
“Take full advantage of these times and circumstances.”
There are thousands of men languishing in prison who are repentant and remorseful. When given the chance we will contribute positively to society. Doc is the most optimistic person I know. He sees the good in almost every situation. Society needs more people like him. His skills and talents aren’t being wasted in here but they would be much more useful to the men and women out there, “in the world.” No one wants to be incarcerated and I know he doesn’t want to be here but he’s exactly where GOD needs him to be at this time. I just hope and pray that it’s only temporary. I thank GOD for putting Doc in my life at this time.