Thirty Days and a Wake Up by John Broman
In 30 days, after 15 years of living inside the most violent penitentiaries the United States has to offer, I’m finally scheduled for release on July 31st. Just writing these words seem like a dream …
Tag: Judge
Almost Home by Judge
Winding down a prison sentence is like walking across a frozen lake. It’s painfully slow and you’re bound to bust your head, but eventually you’ll succeed…or die trying. I have been incarcerated for almost 15 …
A Shit Filled Super Bowl Sunday in the Hole by John Broman
Just like the rest of human civilization, I will be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday along with the rest of my inmate population. Inside the prison system we observe EVERY single holiday, as well …
Dead Family in the Penitentiary by John Broman
Dead Family in the Penitentiary The enchanting days of traveling across the country hitting up every Dead, Phish, and festival show is almost a decade and a half behind me. Only a tour kid could …
The Slaughterhouse of the South by Judge
Stepping foot onto the most violent federal penitentiary yard in the BOP as a 150 lb. educated, white, middle class suburban kid with dreadlocks down to my ass was pretty scary, however that wasn’t the …
I Got Locked Up in the Hole for Interviewing the WTC Bomber
I Got Locked Up in the Hole for Interviewing the WTC Bomber by Judge “What they get you for?” Pete Pretzel, a 49-year-old “good ol boy” from Tennessee questioned in his southern drawl as I …
How I Became A Prison Shot Caller
Prison Shot Caller When I first came to prison, all I wanted to do was die. I was 23 years old and just received almost as much time as I had been alive. To say …
My Road to Rehabilitation
My Road to Rehabilitation at USP Hazleton by John Broman, Federal Prisoner #20121-068 This month as part of President Obama’s prison reform efforts the Federal Bureau of Prisons is releasing over 6,000 inmates from their …
Thoughts on Prison Guards by Judge
The number one threat to a correctional officers safety isn’t the inmates they’re paid to oversee, it’s the actions of their fellow officers. Respect is a two way street. To get respect, you have to …
The Politics of Programming in the Penitentiary by Judge
The politics of programming in the penitentiary can be complicated because of how the system is set up. There are over two hundred thousand people incarcerated today in the federal prison system. This number encompasses every …