The New Year (by Lifer Renee)

Renee – Only a teenager, she received a 60-year sentence from a judge in Pima County. Fourteen years into her sentence, Renee is writing from Perryville prison in Goodyear, Arizona, providing a rare and unique insight into a women's prison.

So much happened in the last year, I feel as though I just stand still and watch the chaos around me.

I spent New Year’s Day switching bunks with my current roommate. I have been on a lower bunk – well, I can not count the years – for a while. The change was needed for me. We started around 8am, and it was an all-day event because everything was flipped. I do feel a little more settled.

The weather has changed drastically. It rained for a full day and a half. Then it was a full day of bone-chilling wind. For the last three days, I went outside, and there has been ice on the ground. These conditions make me seclude myself inside my room. It was actually a nice break as the waves of negativity around here never stop when you are among the prison population.

Click here for Renee’s previous blog.

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Shaun Attwood

4 comments:

muzuzuzus said...

I am trying to find out her story? Can I have second name so I can read her/your story--how they came to give a life sentence to a teenager (and life means life there?). Whatever they are --i cannot find words to describe what a dehumanized degraded bunch of toxic shit is this fukin culture. But thats another story

Anonymous said...

Hi Renee, Thanks for sharing your stories, Think positively when you can......it helps.

Mary

Anonymous said...

Renee, you are a strong, brave and amazing woman. An inspiration to everyone on the 'outside' who feels that they have bad things happen to them. I was bitching about the fact my car had broken down earlier....you've really humbled me. Keep going! Much love to you xxx

Charlotte

JM said...

I feel for Renee having to deal with this and not be able to escape the drama of prison culture. I used to escape in my mind by dreaming and reading.

~jason