By Shane King

I don’t think it’s a revelation to anyone that prisons are rife with corruption on both sides of the bars, much of it worse than what follows. Seldom seen however, is the large minority who are often thwarted, scapegoated or retaliated against as they attempt to make positive changes within themselves and in the world. My spiritual conviction and the amends I must make compel me to be in that minority. But speaking truth to power in prison is a tough road. I get tired and I struggle too with the question of the biblical “motes” versus “planks.”

Composing what follows to the warden at Red Granite prison recently helped me gain some perspective. It regards incidents with some guards who are less than happy about my activism. After I complained about one who refused me access to a prescribed medical treatment, he became a stickler about demanding I remove my hat in his presence while he wears his. He’s aware of what that means for Quakers. He and another guard who wrote a phony disciplinary report (which are taken at face value by parole and commutation panels), now threaten such reports when my hearing impairment impedes my ability to hear announcements I’m required to honor, knowing that ADA accommodations have not been employed. Yet another is interfering with my participation in a Zoom study with meeting.

One responded to my objection with, “If you were doing what you were supposed to, there wouldn’t be a problem.” Imagine, the person with this hat on in Health Services, threatening to punish a guy with his hat off, trying to punish the hearing impaired for not being able to hear, and who I had to write up for interfering with medical care, is telling me about doing right.

I believe there is a need for law and for rules as long as we who comprise society are lacking, for whatever reason, the intrinsic governance born of our humanity.  We have known about the abject corruption in this system for more than half a century.  Isn’t it time we finally do something about it?

The question is whether what I’ve just described fosters or undermines respect for the rule of law and humanity including staff who act with integrity and professionalism.  It seems less about discipline than power at the expense of discipline.  Not everyone is obliged as I am to seek out and face their shortcomings.  I’ve worked hard every day for 35 years to recover and maintain the humanity and self-respect lost in an abusive childhood and the shame of having taken a life and hurt people so deeply.  My problem here is that I’m being asked to validate, tacitly if not explicitly, the very kinds of behavior for which I have repented.  It may not appear as severe as the abuse I and my abusers have been responsible for, but it has the very same root.  I find it undermines the hard work I’ve done even on my best day, and I’ve had years of practice, a great support system and spiritual community.  I must wonder how someone who is not as fortunate, fares and what that means for them and public safety. 

Shane King is a member of Milwaukee Friends Meeting and is currently serving time at the Redgranite Correctional facility.