The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.
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hav<strong>in</strong>g us pick up rocks on the rec yard and pile them <strong>in</strong> a corner. Beryl found this to be<br />
a ridiculous practice.<br />
He also ignored the transgressions that his boss found unacceptable: unmade bunks, a<br />
family photo taped to the wall, hav<strong>in</strong>g too much l<strong>in</strong>en. “Y’all got death,” he’d say. “In my<br />
m<strong>in</strong>d you’ve already been punished enough.”<br />
But for most, the unwritten rule on death row has rema<strong>in</strong>ed: dis<strong>in</strong>terest, allegiance to<br />
policy, frequent staff turnover to reduce familiarity, and above all a belief <strong>in</strong> the status<br />
quo. Flout<strong>in</strong>g the idea that <strong>in</strong>mates are “less than” is not to be accepted.<br />
Some guards ask for transfers because accept<strong>in</strong>g this rule means squelch<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
<strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ation to live and let live. Lt. Perry moved to another unit when every attempt he<br />
made to change the culture here was thwarted by the warden. His desire to run our<br />
cohort just like any other population made sense <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> security, s<strong>in</strong>ce there are<br />
fewer problems on death row than anywhere else at Central Prison.<br />
But his requisitions for new equipment went unanswered. Perry found he had less to do,<br />
and less authority, as a unit manager <strong>of</strong> death row until and unless he punished us.<br />
It happened to Dr. Kuhns too. From 2010 to 2017, he directed psychological treatment<br />
at Central Prison. A man <strong>of</strong> conviction, he established a number <strong>of</strong> therapeutic<br />
programs on death row: creative writ<strong>in</strong>g, chess, drama, yoga, Toastmasters, art and<br />
more. <strong>The</strong>se groups improved our self-esteem, emotional maturity, and the overall<br />
behavior <strong>of</strong> our entire unit.<br />
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