Welcome to "The Other Side of the Cell

This blog is a journey—my journey from being a correctional officer to becoming a prison wife, and now, an advocate for change within the very system I once served. Through these posts, I aim to peel back the curtain on the realities of the U.S. prison system, share my personal experiences, and explore how we can push for meaningful reform together.

Years ago, I stepped into a role that I thought was just another job. As a correctional officer, I believed I was part of a system that kept people safe by keeping "bad" people away. But as I walked the cell blocks and talked to the men behind bars, I saw more than criminals; I saw human beings with stories, families, and often, a deep sense of regret and a desire for redemption. My perspective shifted even more dramatically when I fell in love with one of them. He wasn’t just a number or a case file; he was, and is, the love of my life. Our journey together has opened my eyes to the profound flaws and failures of the prison system—a system that often punishes endlessly rather than rehabilitates.

It’s no secret that prisons are overcrowded and understaffed, but the issues run deeper than that. Drugs are often more accessible inside prison walls than out, and the staff—overworked and undertrained—are sometimes part of the problem, not the solution. Rehabilitation programs are frequently superficial at best, setting inmates up for failure upon release and feeding the vicious cycle of recidivism. This blog will dive into these issues, bringing to light the harsh realities that are often hidden from public view.

In the coming weeks and months, you can expect deep dives into:

Personal stories from my life and the lives of those I’ve met along the way.
Insights into systemic failures and what they mean for those inside and outside the prison walls.
Interviews with experts in criminal justice reform, psychology, and other related fields.
Discussions on potential reforms and how each of us can contribute to the change.

I invite you to join me on this path. Subscribe for updates, share this post to help spread the word, and engage with the content. Every comment, question, and share increases our ability to advocate for change. You can also follow my TikTok @pebblesnbam22 for more frequent updates and insights.

Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction. I believe that by sharing our stories and confronting the realities of the prison system, we can ignite a conversation that leads to real and lasting change. Together, we can turn the tide from punitive isolation to rehabilitative integration.

Micah 6:8 (NIV): “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

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Exposing the Deadly Reality at La Palma Correctional Facility: How Many More Have to Die?

For years, La Palma Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona, has been a hotspot for controversy, yet little has been done to address the rampant corruption, officer misconduct, and systemic failures that have turned it into a living hell for those incarcerated within its walls. Most recently, another inmate has died—one of many whose deaths could have been prevented if those in charge had taken real action instead of covering up their negligence. On January 2, 2025, I fought to have my husband moved out of La Palma due to the sheer volume of drugs flooding the yard, which were being brought in by correctional officers. I reported specific names to the Special Security Unit (SSU), thinking that doing the right thing would bring change. Instead, my concerns fell on deaf ears. Now, here we are, with more inmates losing their lives—many of these deaths are suspected overdoses, yet little to no investigation ever seems to result in actual change. A History of Negligence and Deaths This lates...

The Beating You Weren’t Supposed to See: A Former AZDOC Officer Speaks Out

Let me tell you something right now — that viral 3-minute video Fox 10 Phoenix aired last week? That wasn’t the whole story. That was just the tip of the blood-soaked iceberg. As a former Arizona Department of Corrections Officer, I know exactly what you're looking at in that video. You’re seeing the tail end of a brutal, calculated beatdown that started long before the cameras started rolling. That inmate? He’d already been dragged, pummeled, and bled out — by the time he was being chased down the entire length of the prison yard like a damn scene out of a gladiator movie. Fox 10’s report referred to it as a fight that “spilled out into the prison yard.” SPILLED OUT? Like someone knocked over a soda. No — this wasn’t some spontaneous scuffle. That man was hunted . Let’s Break Down the Bullsh*t Donna Hamm’s Comment: “The inmates are running the asylum, and that's not what the taxpayers in Arizona are paying for.” Newsflash: the inmates have always run the yard. Th...

Inside the Lewis Bachman Unit: A Call for Reform

The Lewis Prison Complex, located in Buckeye, Arizona, comprises eight units, including the Bachman Unit, where my husband is currently incarcerated. This unit houses inmates under protective custody, ranging from minimum to medium security levels, with a capacity of 752 inmates across four dormitory-style buildings. ( corrections.az.gov ) Systemic Issues Plaguing the Facility Over the years, the Lewis Complex has been marred by numerous incidents that highlight systemic issues within its walls: Contraband Infiltration: In January 2025, a correctional officer named Berman Comon was arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs and contraband cellphones into the Rast Unit of Lewis Prison. Comon, who had served as a counselor for 11 years, reportedly received $5,000 per trip to bring in the illicit items. ( abc15.com ) Inmate Unrest: In November 2018, surveillance footage revealed inmates in the Rast Max Unit setting fires outside their cells, leading to the evacuation of the entire unit. Thi...

From Guard to Wife: My Journey in the Shadows of the Justice System

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