It by Ing Twi Demalah

It started out so subtly, you know,
Barely noticeable, just so subtle.

You get covered in blood,
Sometimes they throw urine or feces on you,
Nurses try to reassure you, “you are safe”
But doubt, remains with you, deep in your mind,
Like a splinter that can’t be reached, ever tormenting,
Can’t stop washing my hands, never clean enough,

It started out so subtly, you know,
Barely noticeable, just so subtle.

You are told not to worry,
Ninety percent of them have a bark, but no bite,
Keep you eyes open; one may have a shank,
One you think is okay grabs you by your throat,
His malice was unknown, you never know,
Keep your eyes open; always keep your eyes open.
Can’t sleep, its dark, the dark is part of the unknown,
Can’t go to sleep, have to keep my eyes open.

It started out so subtly, you know,
Barely noticeable, just so subtle.

You are told to ignore it,
They threaten your wife and children,
The describe in horrifying detail,
The crimes they will commit, upon your loved ones,
Don’t worry, they don’t know where you live,
But they are resourceful, so very resourceful.
Can’t sleep, have to check the doors again,
Make sure they are locked, have to check the doors.

It started out so subtly, you know,
Barely noticeable, just so subtle.

You are told there is nothing to worry about,
But the facts are that the average life span is 50
Leading cause of death, stress related heart attack
At your post you will be outnumbered 50 to 1
You will be assaulted, and become wary,
Until even the loving touch of your wife, if unexpected,
Can turn you into a cornered, frightened, animal.

It started out so subtly, you know,
Barely noticeable, just so subtle.

It is fear and these fears and mental symtoms effect or are starting to effect some of the bravest men I know. Those men, like myself and many, many, more are Corrections Officers in a state prison.

shiloh (66.24.75.179) -- Monday, November 6 2023, 01:18 am

I walked the line at one time...
I walked the line, also, at Elmira Prison, Elmira, NY... thankfully I was stationed on Honor Block, so had less hassle with the inmates, but I was still cautious, as things did, often, too often, happen. Treatment of the inmates was gruesome, as there are those who were bullies or were bullied, as youngsters, who now wore the uniform and had the upper hand in here (although if truth be known, the cons ran the prison, the guards were just window dressing... it was a sort of hell for me, as I had known of, and had seen some of the results of such lives as I now was sworn to protect... it was not a win-win situation.

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