Calling all poets! CorrectionsOne’s poetry column highlights some of the inspirational, moving and funny poems authored by our readers.
This poem is by Sean Anderson who has served as a correctional officer for three years: “I worked in the second largest prison in Wisconsin for most of that time. Forced overtime and a large inmate population can lead to complacency and sometimes a dangerous environment. Fights happen on a semi-regular basis, with staff making quick responses. I love my job but the overtime was rough.”
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Inside the Fence
Through the gate
Then X-ray scanning
We made the unit
We’re all still standing
Into a world
You can’t imagine
Doors banging
Keys rattling
Another day inside the fence
My team
My one defense
No extra staff
Two E-med trips
We’ll make do
Damn short staffing
While standing guard
Out on the yard
Inmates yelling
Some are fighting
We run in
And strike like lightning
The orange cloud hangs heavy there
It gets in your eyes, your lungs, your hair
Sometimes there’s blood
But not this time
We had stopped it on a dime
One struggles in his restraints
While the other mourns his burning eyes
I guess this calls for a timeline
1500 the shift barely started
And here we are
Some are bruised and cut
Now the burning’s started
OC soaked in and causing discomfort
No uniform change for 7 hours
Or maybe 15, who the hell knows
We’ll just see how the call list goes
I make the door
Man that’s sweet
A man in white how discrete
Great I’m ordered for 8 more hours
I guess I’ll get out
On time tomorrow
I hope.