"A Reflection on 'Those in Prison' by Susan Zalatan"

Sometimes, words cut deep because they reveal truths we may have sensed but not yet fully faced. Susan Zalatan’s poem, “Those in Prison,” is one such piece. It captures the heartbreaking contradiction in how we treat people in prison, stripping away their humanity while professing to “correct” them.

Reading this poem stirred something profound in me. Every line speaks to the cruel irony of our prison system—how we claim to want those incarcerated to become responsible, positive, trustworthy, and nonviolent, yet we place them in environments where these qualities are nearly impossible to develop. Instead, the system forces them to adopt survival tactics that push them further from rehabilitation and deeper into despair.

The line that struck me most is, “We want them to quit exploiting us / So we cage them where they exploit each other.” It’s an honest acknowledgment of the cycle of exploitation within prison walls—one fueled by conditions that make any real growth feel unattainable. The callousness with which the system destroys self-worth and dignity, all while calling it “corrections,” is devastating.

I've had to witness this contradiction firsthand in advocating for my husband and hearing stories from those directly affected. I’ve reached out to state officials, submitted grievances, filed complaints, and called on anyone who might listen, hoping for change in a system that seems designed to ignore its own failings. Instead of nurturing the qualities that society values—responsibility, compassion, and respect—prisons foster resentment, aggression, and hopelessness.

This poem isn’t just a critique; it’s a call to action. If we truly want people to reenter society as better, more whole individuals, then we need to rethink what “corrections” really means. We need a system that offers education, rehabilitation, mental health care, and a genuine path to reintegration.

As the Bible says, “Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3). This verse reminds us of the shared humanity we all hold, urging us to empathize and care for those who society has pushed aside. It challenges us to see prisoners not as “others” but as people who are still deserving of respect, compassion, and a chance to heal.

Zalatan’s words echo my own resolve. There is so much work to be done, but the voices that speak out—the voices of those who understand the system from the inside—are crucial. The world outside needs to understand where their tax dollars go, what they fund, and what could be achieved if those funds were used for genuine support and transformation.

Thank you, Susan Zalatan, for putting into words the pain and frustration felt by so many. We need these voices, and we need them to be heard.

#ReformNow #PrisonReform #InmateRights #HumanDignity #PowerOfOurVoices #EppersonEmpowerment

Comments

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...

Another FBOP Failure: Tammy's Story — When “Funding” Becomes a Death Sentence

Here we go again. Another woman, another broken promise behind razor wire. Another excuse that starts with “funding” and ends with neglect. Tammy’s story is not new. It’s not unique. And that’s the biggest tragedy of all. Because her life—and her vision—matter. And so does every other person sitting in a Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) facility, hoping for even the most basic human care. Recently, Tammy reached out to share what’s been going on at her facility, and I think it speaks for itself: "Recently I wrote about how the BOP seems to be broke. They took away several items at food service due to funding—like the salad bar (which, by the way, was just plain lettuce mix and generic dressing), they’ve limited eggs (maybe understandable with the bird flu), and removed extra items like beans and rice. What I didn’t mention, but probably should have, is that my prison doesn’t even repurpose leftovers. They literally throw away pounds and pounds of food daily from our kitche...

Until You’ve Walked Through Those Gates, Sit Down and Be Quiet

-By DeAnna You see memes like this floating around all the time — the ones that crack jokes about how “good” inmates supposedly have it. You know the ones: they talk about sex three times a day, reading books, working out, and then “complaining” about prison life. People laugh, hit share, and feel smug because they think they know something about what it’s like inside. I used to be one of them. I used to think prison was “right.” I believed it was what people deserved if they broke the law. I repeated the clichés: “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.” “Three hots and a cot.” “They’ve got it easy in there.” And then… I worked there. Let me tell you something: until you’ve walked through those locking gates — hearing that buzzer, watching that steel door slam behind you, feeling the air shift from free to suffocating — you don’t know a damn thing about prison. Until you’ve seen the reality — the mace, the gas grenades, the cell extractions that leave blood on the floor, the...

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

Search This Blog