Reclaiming Humanity in a Broken System: A Reflection on “Those in Prison”

Today, my heart is heavy yet ignited with purpose after coming across the powerful poem "Those in Prison" by Susan Zalatan. This poem speaks a painful truth that so many of us who have loved ones behind bars know all too well. It's a truth that I have witnessed firsthand as I continue to advocate for my husband's rights and for all those who are stuck in a system that strips away their humanity rather than helping them rebuild it.

The Contradictions of Our Prison System

We say we want incarcerated individuals to become responsible, yet we strip away every ounce of responsibility from them. We tell them to be positive and constructive, but the system degrades them, leaving them to feel useless. The prison system demands trust and nonviolence, but surrounds these individuals with nothing but distrust and brutality.

Susan’s words hit home:

We want them to be trustworthy, so we put them where there is no trust.
We want them to be nonviolent, so we surround them with violence.

How can we expect growth when the very environment they're placed in is designed to crush their spirit? It’s no wonder why so many of them struggle to reclaim their lives upon release. This system is not about correction—it’s about punishment, isolation, and control.

A Personal Fight for Justice

In my own journey, I have had to send countless emails and make numerous phone calls to state authorities, pleading for basic rights and humane treatment for my husband. What I’ve received in return are “textbook responses,” full of blame-shifting and empty promises. No real solutions, no accountability, just a revolving door of excuses.

The outside world has NO idea what their tax dollars are funding, or rather, what they are NOT funding. This system is not about rehabilitation; it's about exploitation, control, and profit at the expense of broken individuals who are desperately trying to find a way out of the darkness.

A Call to Action

We need your voices to join ours. We need the outside world to wake up to the realities behind prison walls. Those who are incarcerated are not just numbers; they are human beings, many of whom are more than ready to change, if only given a real chance. But they can’t do it alone, and neither can we.

As Hebrews 13:3 calls us to remember:
"Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

We must continue to speak out, to demand change, and to fight for those who are silenced by a system that thrives on their suffering.

Join the Movement

Let’s amplify this message. Let’s stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. Share this blog, speak out, and use your voice to bring awareness to this broken system. Together, we can create a wave of change.

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