Comments on: Frog Gravy: Meanness Among Warehoused Inmates

By: angela_nw

angela_nw — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:39:11 +0000

C-S, your drawings are lovely.
Your writing has honestly jarred me – moving and much-needed stories for telling, thank you.

By: ajamazin

ajamazin — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:51:29 +0000

I recently approached a woman who appeared to be in distress.

I learned she had just been released from the Pinellas County Jail.

Her “crime” was “possessing a stolen shopping cart” which she used to transport and store her possessions.

There is something so wrong with a society that has criminalized
homelessness.

By: ajamazin

ajamazin — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:38:43 +0000

Crane Station,

Re: Barn at Winter
I am reminded of P. Buckley Moss

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:11:00 +0000

Just curious…how is the county jail the harder time than a traditional prison?

By: Crane-Station

Crane-Station — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:38:43 +0000

” Do you think meanness is more prevalent in women prisons than in mens? More deadly for inmates?”

No, and no. I do not think so. Of course, I have never been in a men’s prison, but my understanding is that the men may tend toward physical violence, whereas women are verbal (which can be very cruel and hurtful).

That said, I would defer to a man who has been incarcerated to answer.

I never saw a shank or a weapon of any kind. I did witness a physical fight in prison that sent one woman to the hole and the other to the medical ward (BTW she was in worse shape than Mr. Zimmerman, left the scene on a stretcher.) The fight dynamic was interesting. The victim was a well-known annoying egregious bully in the prison. The person who delivered the spectacular ass-kicking, upon finishing the delivery put her hands behind her back and waited for guards with the handcuffs to arrive to take her to the hole (called “cell block” in prison). She received a standing ovation from the prison as she was being escorted away. No one was sorry. You see, as I have said, prison is sort of a community at large, distilled.

By: Crane-Station

Crane-Station — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:10:36 +0000

So true, mainstreamfair.

By: Digger

Digger — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:31:44 +0000

ed nelson, Do you think what we term “Catty” is harmful? How far it should go, before considered a painful way to make others feel they are not liked, unwelcome, etc.

By: TM

TM — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:24:49 +0000

Crane-Station, quite an experience, I would be way too nervous to have done such, but thank you, this is how we know more and understand. Unfortunately they all have come to live a desperate life amongst their own meanness. Meanness however also prevails on the outside, and that may be why many end up where these women are. Daily abuse, bullying, personal attack by those who think they are righteous in doing so can eventually add to a strained personality where one more little push can take someone over the line in our society, yet, those who bully, and attack most often are the ones searching for more attention. I have found that to live what we preach is better than suggesting the other person do it. Attention getters are usually the ones who verbalize kindness while they or we ourselves are doing the harm, without apology. Inflicting hurtful untruths and accusations against the unsuspecting, ones they do not know and will never meet, which makes it easy and fun because they know they will never face their victim. We tend to always point finger at parenting when someone turns to bad acts. I disagree to a great extent and see it more as a society of jealous behavior and excessive extension of “the little white lie”. For some SICK reason people get satisfaction out of inflicting pain and hurt on others, without apology, just as you witnessed in those very close quarters. Do you think meanness is more prevalent in women prisons than in mens? More deadly for inmates?

By: mainstreamfair

mainstreamfair — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 05:26:58 +0000

Crane~~I always have believed that if you want to see if their is ‘goodness’ in a person, just show that person a little kindness. Lend them an ear and listen intently to show you care. Some people are starved for attention that they were unable to get elsewhere. It will make both of you feel good. I know a smile can work miracles applied at the right time. Guess I am an old softie but there are times when I need to extend my talons or petrify the naysayers with my droll humor. Nite nite.

By: Crane-Station

Crane-Station — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 03:45:38 +0000

First, I am so sorry for your loss, and extend deepest sympathy, how you must miss her.

Absolutely there is much good, and I saw a lot of it. I came to trust and love some of the inmates like sisters, and I am grateful to this day that our paths crossed. A night teacher told us that he taught in the prison because it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done. I heard the same thing from priests. Truly, truly there is so much good in people- and you will see this in Frog Gravy because I wrote a lot about it.