The Tale of James' Steel - A Random Story

It was time for a review once more. Every few years those on long sentences were brought before a parole board and they were deemed worthy to re-enter the human race.

I came in before James did. I saw him when he first arrived and I don't think I was wrong in saying he deserved his place here more than most.

Although he hadn't actually murdered anyone yet, you could see in his eyes it would only be a matter of time. I guess some wise judge saw the same and decided to put him away before he actually got round to doing it.

20 years hard labour on the hot plains of Texas usually takes the fire out of most bellies, but not before they've spent their fury in some manner.

James had a bigger attitude than a hen hunting foxes and he took it out on everyone. No-one knows what made him so angry. He never told that part of his story. The only thing we knew about was what came next.

We became cellmates and I got to know him. At first it was like treading on eggshells. He didn't want to trust me, but eventually, as is my talent, I was able to get him to accept my presence. After a few scrapes together we got even closer.

I remember one morning in particular, he started a riot in the yard. The screws kept their distance as much as they could. Unfortunately for one he got too close to James and was soon availed of his right to use his arms.

After disabling the unlucky guard he turned his newly aquired rifle skywards to start a gunfight.

Now to me a gunfight in a prison yard is like shooting fish in a barrel. No sane man would ever allow himself to be cornered into a situation like that.

Blow me though if James didn't have a plan. Either he was very observant or he had an accomplice, but he managed to find himself in the one position that was covered from fire from all points. Not only that, but there was an apparent way out for the athletically talented.

After drawing fire to that spot for a while he musta took off through some high placed air vents that led through to an unsecured spot.

Even though he got caught not long after leaving, the warden lost his job for that and James got to spend a lotta time in contemplation on what he did.

Now I have to say that I wasn't just an observer of these events. I had a pretty big hand in some.

For instance, I was the one who picked up the rifle to continue giving cover when I saw what James was up to. I guess taking some of the heat for him got his trust more than any fancy words.

Pretty quickly I became his wingman on the occasions when he was allowed to mix with others. One or two spats involved his protecting me.

Most of these other conflagrations were pretty evenly spread between fellow inmates and and our jailers. He believed fervently that every man was equal no matter where birth and privilege took you.

Eventually, as time went by the fires of his youth dimmed to be replaced by cold, hard steel. He'd seen a lot in his time here. People had come and people had gone. All sortsa people. He'd seen inmates mistreated and screws abuse their power. The cirles of power flowed and rippled through the yard and canteen with every new arrival.

The concept of hard labour even got replaced with the principle of reform.

The old ways had given James a way to rail against the outside world, the new ways now offered him a chance to deal with his own internal conflicts.

The changes were slow at first. He didn't believe that anyone was really there to help and he didn't think that any of the programs would really change anything.

At first I guess that was true.

Somebody, somewhere had decided that teaching us criminals to be better people would reduce crime. James held the view that teaching those with power and money to be better people would reduce crime. Those that actually came into to run the programs had different ideas again. Usually involving Jesus.

Eventually, more practical, thought out courses started to get run and although numbers were low, James would attend every one, dragging me with him.

Somewhere deep inside I guess there was still a fire burning, but this time it was for knowledge. He sat through a number of exams.

It was like being back in school, which wasn't something I cared for. It was something to pass the time though and occasionally the tutor was female meaning I found it hard to keep my mind on the subject anyway.

So I basically followed his lead on everything.

As time went on he started trying to enthuse others to get educated and give themselves a chance. I think this idea of reform had stuck with him. A lot of people owed a lot to him as he rallied inmates to better themselves. I think he wanted them to have the confidence to stand up for themselves when they got out and not feel browbeaten into feeling inferior and therefore not feeling like they were entitled to a better life.

He was an unsung hero.

Few people messed with him at this stage. For those who were too hardened by their years of crime, but had at least acknowledged some regret at their actions, they actually started to back him up in recruitment and eventually all courses were fully subscribed.

Who'da thunk!

When I had a chance to look back at all this I was sure that next time we came up for parole in the new system we would be free men. We had changed so much, but James especially so.

His appointment was before mine. I saw him go in and time went by. I'm sure they would be going through and looking at this achievements over the last few years, the positive changes he brought about, the increased reputation for the prison.

I expected him to be leaving tomorrow on the same bus as me.

Time passed and then he came out. His head was held high, but there was something in his eyes, he wouldn't look at me. Surely he had been given his freedom? If he hadn't what did that mean for me? Was he going free, but I wasn't?

I waited for my moment in a state of agitation. I wrung my hands in anticipation before entering the parole board meeting room.

They asked me a number of questions about my time here and I did my best to show them my reformed character and also paid my dues to James who had led the way. The moment came when they passed judgement.

I was a free man!

I couldn't believe it. After all these years.

I had no idea what I would do on the outside, but I felt equipped for it. Would James be coming with me?

Rushing back to the cell I needed to find out what had happened and what was wrong with him.

Finding him there calm and collected I guess he had come to terms with whatever was warring inside him after he had left the parole meeting.

I asked him how it had gone. I couldn't believe my naivete when he gave me his answer.

Tomorrow came and I reluctantly said goodbye to the place that had been my life for so long, finding it harder to do so knowing James may never get out.

'Don't worry about me.' he had said, 'I'll find my place here and continue what I've been doing. They'll never break my spirit and hopefully I can be influence on the youngsters that come in and make sure they never come back'.

On the bus back to wherever I replayed it all in mind. I had known the man and his character was greater than those with the power to free. Hopefully, one day a man will no longer be oppressed because of the colour of his skin.












Character:reform Plot:selects Resolution:bigoted


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