Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the Streets

Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the StreetsWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's research and reintegration project.

by Wesley Leong

28-03-2024 08:46

in Prison Journalism

Witness the Cycle from the Streets

Image via Pexels

In the area or neighbourhood where I live, there have been so many incidents where ex-offenders are forced to do things that some really don't want to. They are ex-offenders like me who have changed our lives around. This is living proof that the systems in place fail us.

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It takes one bad decision, so they say. It really does take one bad decision to end up in the wrong place. Sometimes we change our lives around for the better, and every day we struggle to survive, to do the right thing, and stay away from trouble. But what if one cannot pursue it anywhere and decides to feed ourselves and end the suffering? Will it still be one bad decision?

Brothers, Lost Again to Prison So, I have had a really hard month due to my fellow brothers being locked up. Like myself, we have come such a long way in suffering, for the good of course. Sadly, one of them I know will not be seeing any time soon, for he is going down for murder. He leaves behind a family and a baby girl. Another two I know will also be serving a long time as they were arrested for armed robbery.

System Failure How are we ever going to start the cycle of change if the system, as it stands, is failing ex-offenders when they change their lives around for the better? No matter how hard they try, what lengths of suffering they endure, they end up back inside, in pain again. The suffering does not seem to pay off due to the good that one wants to do.

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Struggle is Real Yes, the struggle is real. The more you do wrong, the more people seem to notice, but your good deeds are never noticed by any means. Yet, your integrity allows you to push for the good regardless. Some others are not as strong mentally and spiritually to continue through hardship, knowing you are doing good. One mentioned ex-offender, close to me, and we spent a lot of time together. He was under so much pressure from gang members that he ended up shooting for them. He spoke about how this will impact his life, his little baby girl's life, and his family. He told me he can't take it anymore, watching his family suffer. Before he was arrested, he received a pay-out for shooting, and he gave it to his family.

The day he was arrested, I went to his family, and they told me they would have rather preferred to see him outside without money than to see him inside in prison.

His last words to me were: Carry on the good fight!

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DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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