Category: Piece of the Week

by Aine I’ve lost too much on the streets that I cannot even comprehend. Many of my friends have gone on a different path in life and I wish I went with them. I’ve lost over half of my friends and gained new ones that have only dragged me down since. This is the first and last time I’ll be locked up. Dedicating this much time to the system is not the way of life. You’re locked up in this facility when you can honestly be anywhere else in the world. That thought haunts me every second of every day in

by Adrian What I see when I look in the mirror is a young handsome Hispanic male who has been troubled by drugs, violence and hell. I see, who I used to be, who I am now, and who I will be in the years to come. I want to get my life together, get a job, get females and have fun. I have been through a lot and I already know how it feels to lose. I can only imagine how it feels to win, kick back and listen to the blues. I see a scholar who has his whole

by Izais Detention… A place where “staff” run your life, a place where “freedom” is only a word you read in books or hear from kids who talk about it like they won’t ever know what it feels like to feel “free” again. Detention is a place where the word equality does not exist. Detention is a place that steals your youth; it robs you of the precious and unique experiences of young-adulthood. It grips its cold, dark fingers around your self-pride, self-confidence, self-reassurance, and self-everything. It slithers in your conscious and slowly poisons the very few thoughts that keep

by Felisha My nickname is Felisha. My life wasn’t always crappy. The first three years of my life were the best from what I remember. I remember my mom with long beautiful hair, with pink cheeks and luscious lips. Little by little she faded away, the meth and heroin took her from me. I remember living in the projects/warzone/studio. Our studio wasn’t the best, but it was more than enough to me. I’d give anything to be back there before the drugs when it was me, my mom, her girl, my little brother Aliace. Around three maybe four years old, a

by Blaze When I was sitting in the back of that police car, I was thinking about a lot of things. I already have bad anxiety and PTSD so I was having lots and lots of flashbacks on my life. I was thinking a lot about my family, of me not being able to go back home, thinking wow, what a failure. I am thinking about all of those promises that I made. That I was going to change my ways and be a better person. And thinking about how many people that I let down. I had a really bad

by Joey When I was sitting in the back of that police car, I was thinking about when was the next time I would sleep in my own bed again? My heart was pounding, my mind was racing, and my body was perspiring. I was looking out of the window at other people who looked at me as though I was a monster. I put my head down. I was embarrassed of myself. I refused eye contact. I wanted to vanish. I could feel people’s eyes staring right at me. It felt horrible. I don’t like being labeled as a

by Jamil I just sit and think of my past and I’m like dang, what a waste of life. Nothing but the same thing everyday. Running and scared of what? One day on November 1st, I woke up so happy like always and it was just a normal day for me. Just like every day and I wanted to go to my best friend Alric’s house so bad to get Wi Fi for music and Facebook. So I went to his house. I remember the last words I told my mom and my brothers were, “I love you mom I’ll

by Karina My days locked up feel so long. Drifting on a memory can’t believe you’re gone. I miss you with all my heart. I wish God, would have warned me from the start. What did I do to deserve this? I didn’t even get one last hug from you. Oh baby, God took your love from me. I need to see my angel so it seems. It’s hard, to keep on living this way, I need you here with me. Why did he take you away from me? There is nothing that I wouldn’t do, I’d lie for you. I’d

by Monica I am filled with anger because of the tears I had myself swallow. My soul is full of hope. My heart is full of love. My mind seeks happiness. It’s my memories that are stained with hate. Fishing, fishing – are you willing to take life’s bait? Seven years ago my heaven turned backwards, Now those words have stained my wrist. I reminisce to when I was a little girl for God’s sake. A little girl wanting to be a lady, They wanted to see her break. Three years ago I learned people were just phases. They’re here

by Cody Life is a choice that we all have to make. A choice to do the right thing or the wrong thing and in my honest opinion I suggest the right thing. Because where I’m at now is not a great place to be. I am locked up in a cage where I can’t break free. I want to get out because I miss all of the little things like a bed, good food, and friends. I especially miss all the big things like my family, girlfriend and games. Since I have been in jail I have had a