Prison life through an inmate's eyes
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If you have ever harbored interest in learning about prison life, here is your chance to do so through the creative workings of an inmate doing 25 to life for conspiracy to commit murder.
Prisoner David, a former inmate at the California Mens Colony, describes himself as a comedy sketch writer. He is now incarcerated at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, Calif., and while he maintains his innocence and attempts to prove it by researching at the prison library, he has learned to channel his frustration with the prison and legal systems through online postings.
His Web site, prisonerdavid.com, is his way to show every aspect of prison life, from the humor of pranks to the horror of prison violence. The main page includes an introduction to the Web site and provides easy access to the latest radio segment, video, articles, news feeds and featured inmates, along with links.
Prisoner David has been featured in segments on "The Adam Carolla Show," a weekday morning radio program hosted by the co-creator and co-star of TV's "The Man Show" and syndicated throughout the West Coast. Recordings of these segments can be found on the Web site, along with audio commentaries Prisoner David created concerning issues facing California prison inmates.
The Articles page has links to a number of writings that are more like anecdotes or diary entries. Each work is titled, dated and separated in parts. "Suicidal Tendencies" chronicles the process behind a fellow inmate's suicide, while "Sleepless in Soledad" detailed Prisoner Dave's intense interests in certain female radio personalities, including "Alison" of Cal Poly's own KCPR.
The Characters section includes biographies of "prisoner personalities" and a glossary of prison terms, complete with personal information and images. Visitors can insert captions for hand-drawn cartoons, including some featuring "Dr. Sanchez" and "Officer Jackson."
The Web site even features profiles and works of other inmates, including Robert, an eight-year prisoner who taught himself to play the fiddle during his incarceration, and Joseph Mitchell, who creates designs for Outrider Jewelry while behind bars.
Finally, on Prisoner Dave's profile page, there is a brief description of the purpose of his Web site as well as a link to his MySpace page. There is also a form for visitors to submit guestbook comments, many of which include requests for Dave to tell an inmate "Hi," or "We're thinking of you."
This Web site is a fascinating look at prison life as a reflection of the emotions of an inmate.
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Sweet. Sounds interesting. My boyfriend's grandmother knew a lot of mobsters in jail in New York, and they got their master's and doctrines in jail. They knew they were never getting out and were never going to use the degrees, but had nothing else to do. (Oh, she used to be a paralegal for a lawyer who dealt with mobsters.)
My dad's friend wen to federal prison for a white collar crime. I forget how many years, double digits, at least. He had to go to a job training type program- halfway house afterwards to get re-adjusted to real life again.
That guy in the video talking about the Dean's list and how excited he was, was cute.
interesting information.
There are prisoners who have written their prison dairy/experiences in the form of narratives. But this young man spends his time in most innovative way. We should also thank the rules and lasw keepers in that country who have allowed him him to create a website that aims to bring out prison crimestoo!
Men commit mistakes. Let this young, talented man be allowed to earn and live decently using his talents and interests, ofcourse within the framework of rules.
Great hub!
The whole prison thing bothers me so much I can not bring myself to respond to this because it might take forever and that is a sentence in itself.
oh dear..What have you done..? This brings back memories about someone I really had made myself forget...phewww....this could be my next story..I am afraid though..will take care if I write it....Thank You..very well done..very interesting...very touching to my heart..... G-Ma :o) hugs
This is a really fascinating and revealing hub. My misguided impression of US jails consisted of men in isolation, working in chain gangs and the like. I suppose it's no surprise that California gets away from this.
Doubtless some people might baulk at the notion of prisoners having their own web sites, never mind educational programmes. However, I would still suspect it is a very hard existence, being behind bars.
Finally - where did you get the opening cartoon - briliant! Thumbs up to you/
Nice job! What a great way to let us know a little more about what people in prison are able to do. Who would have thought someone in prison could actually be communicating and sharing with the public like prisoner Dave is, or working like Joseph Mitchell? Very informative and interesting.
I am sure that Dave is trying to pass his time in a qualitative manner as possible. But, I don't think Dave or any other prisoner should have the right to have access to tvs,internet/computer, or the gym. I do think prisoners should have access to education so that possibly they can turn their life around ( and be required to pay for the education too). They will eventually be released and be placed in my custody (I'm a parole officer),so I relish in prisoners having some sort of trade skill. It's a mockery to the victim's family that Dave and other prisoners can have and maintain an internet site and have cable while a majority of the world can't even afford to eat much less have the internet!
The only problem with your hub is they don't allow women to sit on inmates laps..
To AsherKade above: I think ALL inmates should have access to the internet. It is now the major means of communication - this way they can communicate with their families, take online courses, and even work online. In fact, this is the first I have ever heard of a prison allowing internet use. They can use a telephone, why NOT the internet??? The computers at a prison can be filtered for porn, gambling and the like very easily, like how they do at libraries. This should be a privilege that can be taken away for bad behavior, etc., but should not be denied.
You need to get with the times. The little or nothing reasons most people are in prison does not justify the harsh treatment and living conditions prisoners must suffer, not to mention the abuse they receive.
The US has 5% of the world's population, but 25% of the world's PRISON population. There is something terribly, terribly wrong with this picture. 85% of prisoners are not dangerous. Being "punished" and abused is not going to rehabilitate anyone. But a chance to be educated will work wonders.
You need to get with the times. And you also need to spend a month in a county jail or in a prison so you know what it's really like!
Inmates are treated like animals, with no rights, are forced into living conditions not fit for my dog, and are subject to all sorts of verbal, mental, and physical abuse on a daily basis both from prison guards and fellow inmates. Americans need to stop being so cruel and intolerant and need to start realizing what is really going on in this country, and that is that the big private prison corporations are making money hand over fist off the sufferings of poor Americans who can not defend themselves against the power of a prison nation.
If you are still under the impression that inmates are "living a life of luxury" off the backs of working Americans, you are sadly mistaken and need to educate yourselves. That is propaganda (ie: bullshit!!) Prison corporations treat prisoners like animals, deny medical treatment, give the barest minimum of food for survival, you better wake up to the way your fellow Americans are being abused - it might be you next! It does not take much to get into a prison anymore. Like the author of this hub says: over 3% of all Americans will end up there.
Thank you for that comment, Magic. Your argument is well-founded, and that statistic helps illustrate your point.
Great hub, interesting information, I had no idea about! Excellent reporting!
Sally's Trove says:
2 years ago
A very interesting hub and informative video. I had never heard of Prisoner David. Thanks for putting the media resources together. When I get a little more time, I'll check out his website.