When I first visited my local jail it was surreal and a trip into an entirely different world! It was dark and absolutely smelly – almost like the dungeons in medieval thrillers with the only difference being dimly lit halogen lights.  You could feel the pain, sadness and evil as it were a damp cloak.  The only thing that separated me from the inmates was that I was free and they were not.

I was a detention officer during one of my life phases to save the world and this was my career path into law enforcement.  I was constantly surrounded by danger, armed only with my knowledge from bootcamp on how to kill a person with a Chiquita banana and a pair of handcuffs.  And I earned about $7.00 per hour without insurance.  However, in this jail experience I learned more than I could ever have anticipated.

The first time I walked my “pods” the four cell blocks with 30 some cells I was a bit nervous.  The inmates will do everything they can to get under your skin – talk threats, play mind games, ask you for cigarettes or candy, or just plain insult you.  You have to be on your guard at all times and just because they were locked behind a door doesn’t mean they are actually locked behind the door.  They know how to set the doors so when you pull on them they appear secure but they are able to get out after you leave. One night I found this out as I entered the pod through two coded doors and left the safety eye of the camera.  Once you are in, you ARE in!  If they are loose and they want to take you prisoner or kill you there is only your will to survive and prayer to keep you alive.

This particular night as the door slammed shut behind me there were about a dozen inmates out on a joy ride.  I was in their world where detention officers are hated; hated for their freedom but mostly for their arrogant and cocky attitude.  I was no different and as I stepped into the dragon’s lair all I could do is pray.