Richie Coleman has been a periodic contributor to Highbrid Nation since its inception. Unfortunately he was recently incarcerated on allegations of Drug Conspiracy. He is currently serving time in the Federal Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan, NY and is awaiting trial.

Richie is a father of one, holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and has lived a life not unlike many in The Nation. While spending time reflecting on his life both good and bad he has been keeping a diary/ memoir. He has asked that we share excerpts of his story in hopes that it will help prevent others from ending up in similar circumstance. These are his words…..

Metropolitan Correctional Center
New York, NY
February 01, 2010

However down I feel while in here, as I stress over my future and the impact of my actions, there is always someone or something that allows me to emotionally digress. Last few weeks it was the disaster in Haiti. Yesterday it happened to be a guy who crashed his car on the NJ Turnpike and killed a trooper’s family of four while driving drunk. ‘Who’ he hit and killed determined whether his case went federal. Now for the last 5 days he has been crying audibly in his cell, remorsing over his poor lack of responsibility. To hear a grown man cry out loud is very disturbing to say the least. Walking out amongst my temporary neighbors also revitalizes my temperament. Many of them are to be deported to their native countries upon completion of their sentence. This is the deterrent that the USA uses to back down the number of illegal immigrants on our soil. The government spends taxpayer monies to lock them up after finding them living here, illegally using American social services reserved for tax-paying American citizens. Then spends more money to deport them. Seems like a backward system.

Others here argue that American prisons are money making cash cows for the rich and white. Investors such as former vice-president Dick Chaney and former ‘Price is Right’ host Bob Barker (Barker’s full is imprinted on the shoes they give out and the mattresses we sleep on) have been notably known for investing in prison development. While these inmates have valid points, there are however 4 topics I do not discuss in prison: Religion, Money, Sports, and Politics. I have seen too many discussions turn to arguments, arguments turn to fights, only to be followed by bloodshed.

Besides the soon to be deportees, some whose whole families are currently in the US, there are handicapped individuals, and other health-ridden inmates who are suffering from lackluster medical services. One fellow that came in last month has full blown AIDS. It was apparent that this might become a health issue for all of us (after all we share shower facilities) when the new inmate wasn’t properly recieving his meds. He broke out with puss legions all over his face, arms, and hands. Four inmates, including the one who was initially assigned to live with him, have all demanded moves to alternate housing after discovering he has AIDS and it is grossly visible. Who wants to share a toilet and sink with someone with full-blown AIDS? If you scoff at the sense of apparent bigatry, put yourself in someone’s shoes who had to live in there.

Written correspondence can be sent to Richie at:

Richie Coleman III
#04479-087
MCC New York
150 Park Row
New York, NY 10007