🔵 By James Kelley. Photo by lauragrafie.
Imagine being told, “You’re moving, pack up”, now imagine doing that in under 20 minutes… 🙁 That’s how my life has been for the past 12 years. I’ve still got 3 and half to 4 years left. Packed up all my belongings into 2 black bags… I had 2 sets of sweatpants and sweatshirts (we are only allowed to have 1 set) so I lost the “extra” set, I wear one set while the other set is getting washed. I also had too many books so had to lose them. 🙁 So I get to this new unit. They (Arkansas Department of Corrections) calls this “The go home unit” because most people here have less than 5 years until they go home. I can’t believe I’m finally one of the ones fixing to go home. My actual parole date isn’t until 2027 but, I go up early 2026 (August 18th) I don’t count this year so 3.5 – 4 years until parole.
So here I am, new unit and new people. I get a job here as a barracks porter (cleaning the barracks, easy job). But I’m moved again to another barracks… So pack up again … 🙁 Just imagine all your worldly possessions fitting into 1 or 2 bags… and only allowed 5 pictures. 🙁 and I have to choose … which to keep … all are sentimental to me… To have to choose … 🙁 always choosing always losing that’s my life… I know I have a few more moves ahead of me before they finally open the gate and I walk out a free man. I’ll kiss the ground. Freedom.
Don’t take it for granted it can and will be taken away. Moving day.