I had been in Detroit a couple of weeks and things were looking up.  I stopped in one of the local bars to have a few drinks.  It was pretty quiet in the bar not many customers were there.   The bartender introduced himself as Bill and I told him my name was ShoNuff.  As we talked we got into my past.

I have been the property of the fucking Bureau of Prisons (commonly known as BOP) for the past 5 years

I remember when I went to my sentencing hearing and received a 16 year to life sentence for the crime of second degree murder. This was an extremely harsh reality for someone who had never been to prison before. I had no fucking idea of what to expect and would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit nervous.  Twenty six years old and I just knew my ass was on the way to Alcatraz. I would be fucking 42 before I could even think about getting out.

I took the fall for a very prominent mob boss who assured me I would be taken care of.  I truly under estimated the power he had not only with the judge but also the powers on the inside.

They line all the prisoners up; I was second from the last.  As they march us toward the bus I was taken out the line and escorted to a van.  The driver sat me in the back and loosens my cuffs.   We drove for what seemed like hours and then I arrived at my new home Nellis Prison Camp.

Nellis Prison Camp is a United States federal minimum-security prison, also known as a Federal Prison Camp, located on Nellis Air Force Base in the state of Nevada.

Bill poured me another drink as I continued talking.

At first the minutes seemed like hours and the hours like days.

I worked out every day with weights in a fully equipped prison gym.  I played a pretty good game of basketball so had some enjoyment on the court.  But sometimes they would take the game a little to personal.   The food was pretty good and I received many gifts.  I avoided gangs, drugs, gambling, confrontational situations, and entering into someone’s personal boundaries.

Soon I found myself participating in a work program on Area II of Nellis AFB.  The inmates typically perform janitorial services, cleaning floors, restrooms, and emptying trash from office buildings around the base.  My job was to make sure the work was done right.  The program saves taxpayers money that would otherwise be spent on contracted services so the jobs had to be done right.

Prison became more bearable.  

Wow man someone was really taking care of you on the outside as he poured me another shot.

I swallowed half of the shot and continued talking

After only 4 years 362 days four guards entered my cell stating I was going in front of the board.  I didn’t’ believe those mother fuckers.  They hated me because they were being controlled.  I wasn’t going to go with them until one guard I was pretty cool with confirmed that it had been arranged, that was indeed where I was going.

I had no idea what the fuck I was going to say.  All kinds of shit went through my head while I was sitting there waiting.  Maybe I should just fucking cry and beg for mercy.  I would do anything to get the fuck out of prison.

 Technically, the parole board is supposed to base a lifer's suitability on his time in and his current threat to society.  Going in front of the parole board is a highly subjective process and yet there I was some magical formula found me being suitable.  I was approved to be released.

Six days later I heard the last clang of the cell doors as I became a free man again and walked through the gates to a waiting car.

I downed the last of the shot.

I was told that the Boss sends his apology and regretted not being able to here to greet me but welcomes me back.  It wasn’t a good idea for me to go back to the old turf so he made other arrangements.  I had some laughs with his men, we stopped by a Men’s store and I chose a brand new suit and a few other things.  I was driven to the airport.  As I stepped out the car I was handed a first class ticket to Detroit, and a envelope with a wad of money.  I walked with my head high as a man of honor.

I was given a list of some contacts that would help me out.  First on the list were two men, one named Petah the other Walter-White.  Then not to forget to contact some old friends Gwen and Rorschach.  I sent word to both I was out. There were a few others that I have yet to contact.

As I stood up to pay my tab  I said

Life is good.  I thought I would never say those words again. I can’t say that going to prison was worth it but I am back.  I plan to take the money I was given to set up a new life.

Bill refused to take any money.  He just shook my hand.  I left thinking to myself this was the first time I ever told anyone here what happened.