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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Pro se Con-tints: Justice Cold, Just Ice Cold

August 7, 2018 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

There are answers we don’t understand, so it’s encumbant we try to search for them, not just assume the void of a reason understand is good enough to not trek in order to concoct your own safe assumption. Learning doesn’t stop once you’ve grown from adolescence. I was sentenced by a judge that never looked me in the eye and his last words were “… because you are so smart I’m giving you this much time…” I’ll leave you to your own philosophy what he meant, and how a punishment with those words can never be given fairly as opposed to being so stupid or ignorant, would I have gotten more or less? And then before the parole board dismissed me, a man asked me what schools I went to and the education tests I took upon coming to prison. I maxed every subject, so how can someone so smart have this..and he turned the screen showing my misconduct history my first four years, not caring that I have been write up free this past year and more. So I guess he’s saying I should be smart enough to shut up and be docile? Or there’s a problem with me and not the system because intelligence mixed with unfavored behavior doesn’t make sense in his world, prison has no room for intellect! Hmm, riots, institutional racism, emotional trauma, gang violence, loneliness, prison life in general and racial divides, the threat of danger, and the loss of friends/family must play no role at all! Then he finishes his statement telling me that I am so smart that I can actually help people do their time, I have enough time left to really make a difference, but the fact that that’s been my mission which he never got to fully comprehend because I wasn’t heard nor allotted efficient time to speak because of their hectic schedule and if I’m being honest-what also seemed to be a lack of care, he went on to advise me of what I’ve taken on day in and day out but in his mind I can help my cons within the two years they rather I wait. Hypocrisy or ignorance? Had he not asked, I’d have been dismissed within 90 seconds..they didn’t even know I finished a program they favor and recommended, and I quote, “Oh!” (check mark). Oh! You gotta love it!

Filed Under: Culture, Inside, Mercy, Trauma

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Prose of a Con

Prose of a Con is a collection of Russell Wardlow’s prose and poetry written entirely behind bars. Through writings on family, spirituality, freedom, love, justice, redemption, and vulnerability, Russell seeks to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

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