I MISS MY NEIGHBORS
Darrell Grayson has only been gone a little while but I miss him already. He was executed by the state of Alabama as scheduled for a crime of which he had no knowledge of because he was passed out in a state of intoxication at time the crime occurred. Darrell will be forever missed like all the rest taken from my neighborhood here on the row, especially those like Darrell whom I knew well and shared a daily sociable relationship. Then there are those I never got to know as close friends but certainly acquaintances whose faces, voices, gabs, quietness or something else made deep enough impressions to be forever remembered and greatly missed. Never again able to ask what do you think of this? Or that? Why you think this or that? Never again able to share ideas as death penalty opponents in the midst of memorable smiles or critical laughter so desperately needed by the souls of this dark place. Hardly, if at all, are we ever sent here fastened securely in handcuffs and leg irons under armed guard already knowing each other; but once we are here, this place becomes our neighborhood, our residence and our everyday livelihood, and so does everything and everybody surrounding. Despite the individuality it is all the same neighborhood and what affects one affects all. Therefore, we all share the commonality of a community where everyone shares another’s pain and suffering. Some may share more of another’s pain and suffering than others, depending on the closeness, friendship, etc. When one of us is placed back into the restraints of hand and leg irons under armed guard and taken away by force if necessary, to never gasp another breath it is felt by the whole neighborhood. It is no different than on the outside, so we all share the grief and the pain. Neighborhood is still neighborhood and when one falls everyone stumbles until strengthened to walk again without the limp. We are presently facing even darker days with so many appointed to be executed soon. So not only do we cry out for your sincerest prayers but also for every possible echo of our cries to be heard in hopes of creating enough compassion to stop the madness.
-Leroy White
Coor. PHADP, Z 505/ I1-8A

Jackson berichtet über Emotionen im Todestrakt. Er hat viele Männer weinen sehen. Es gibt wenig Macho-Gehabe - das zählt dort nicht mehr.

Die Männer sind gefühlvoll - weinen bei Liebesromanen.

Ein Wärter antwortet auf die Frage, warum er lieber dort arbeitet:

"Der Todestrakt insgesamt hat eine heitere Atmosphäre"

This Emotional Life

Most men will not admit that they are emotional. Hear me out please! Before you respond to that statement with a smirk. Men sit around amongst one another and play macho or show and try to explain how tough they are.

Well, prison is a big bowl of emotions and the death penalty is an emotional punishment and circumstance. Most people tend to believe and think that the men on death row are cold-hearted, insensitive and soulless.(LOL) If

only these walls could talk!

I have seen many men here at Holman shed tears. You would be surprised as to the things that make some guys cry. I know and have befriended a guy that can't read love stories because they make him cry. The reality is I

do not live amongst the worst of the worst. Would you believe that officers prefer to work death row unit as opposed to population's dorm? I asked an officer once why did he rather work death row? His response, "The

overall death row is serene." Shocking to you?! I know I've pointed these things out to put one thing on your mind. And it is this, to be carnal minded is death.... Because of misinformation poor positions and views are

taken. To be open minded is a way of life, not an isolated circumstance.

We as people are one and the same... Humans. And guess what a situation or a particular circumstance doesn't necessarily shed true light on a person. Knowing and learning the inner man is the true essence of the person.

And yes, men are emotional !

Sincerely,
Demetrius Jackson
z-750/F-25

Ein Man im Gefängnis wird ermordet.

24 Stunden einschliessen für alle - im Todestrakt ist das sowieso üblich...

Das geschah nicht im Todestrakt.

Obwohl die Politik denkt, da sitzen doch nur rohe Verbrecher und darüber enttäuscht ist.

Hier müssen die Insassen mit ihrem Schicksal fertig werden. Werden dadurch reifer und stärker. Entwickeln ihr menchliches Dasein.

Political Scapegoat

The other day, there was a stabbing in general population that resulted in an inmate losing his life. A situation of this rnagnitude is serious. It affects the entire prison by putting everyone on lockdown.

It is sad because death row is already on 24 hour lockdown.

It is sad that we are the most quiet, most peaceful section of Holman Correctional Facility. I imagine at the very beginning of this article, before I had mentioned what part of the facility that this unfortunate incident had taken place, you all (politicians) were hoping it was an death row inmate who was involved. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but we are truly innocent this time. It is what it is. In their eyes I am sure we are somehow still to blame for this. But aII this situation proves is that there is no deterrent to crimes, even behind this concrete and steel. Population is a place where they need to research instead of bothering death row inmates who are coping with their situations as best as they possibly can. Human Beings play games with lives. Sadly animals have no problem following the rules in which they are created. Life is a gift from God. It is sad that we don't appreciate this wonderful gift alot more than we do.

We are the only species in which predators and prey are not defined at birth. For example, a cheetah is born a cheetah. A gazelle is born a gazelle and they will never change places with each other. But with humans you also have predators and prey but their identities and roles aren't as clearly defined. In my eyes.,. what doesn't live, can't die. As I end this article keep this in mind; "life will have a clearer meaning once you find out where you are on the ladder of life you can then move up.

Respectfully,
Ulysses Sneed
z-590/I-1