Mary Bell - A Successful Tragedy

The 60s UK was relatively quiet place. The Beatles were conquering the world, while Bond made sure nothing threatens The Queen. The little Village of Newcastle upon Tyne, however, had a year of terror In 1968. Two little boys were brutally murdered. The murderer was caught within year, but the nightmare didn't end there: The killer was a 10-year-old girl.

The story of Mary Bell is not only a gruesome murder story. It's also a success story about rehabilitative power prison could have, once run by loving staff. That's what I'm going to focus on this post, so many of the details will be left out. But now, it's storytime!

Young Mary Bell never had good predictions for life. Her prostitute mother abused her mentally, physically and sexually. Mary was a ticking time bomb about to explode. After she was caught, the officials had a problem: Where to replace her. Britain that time had no place for incarcerated girls and women's prison was right out.

So they decided to place her in Red Bank Secure Unit. She was the only girl in this facility for young offenders. Going in, Mary had every trait of a psychopath. However, In Red Bank she met James Dixon, the warden.

Dixon is one of unsung heroes of his time. There's no statues or biographies about this former navy officer. However, he took Mary in his guidance. From him, she got discipline, but also gentleness and love. Dixon treated Mary like his own daughter. He became the father figure she never had, and desperately needed. With his attention, Mary was able to grow out of violent tantrums she got, when she started her term.

At sixteen she was transported to women's prison despite of mr Dixon's protests. The cold environment of prison wasn’t good for Mary, just like Dixon feared. However, his guidance and gentle care had made such a strong impact on young Mary, that she was able to pull through, despite one adventurous escape in her later years.

When she was released at the age of 23, she was granted an anonymity and could start a new life under a new name. Four years later she had a daughter. Today Mary is a grandmother, living a peaceful life under a new alias. All thanks to the love and care she got after her incarceration.

For a moment, let's assume that the officials had focused solely on punishing Mary for her crimes, which were absolutely horrible. Even she has admitted that. If instead of getting the attention she needed, she was sent to the worst maximum security prison in the UK. Let's then assume that Britain would have come up with some dreadful law allowing them to lock up children for life. How many lives would have been saved and how many would have been lost?

Impossible to say, but one thing is certain: Mary's young victims would have still been dead. Mary would have become bitter and resentful towards the whole system. She would have made life a living hell for inmates around her as well as the prison staff. And as kids like her would keep coming in, the same thing would have happened again and again.

An old wisdom says that civilization can be measured by the quality of its prisons. More importantly, how it treats inmates. How many Mary Bells are inside USAs prison system today? And will keeping them in for the rest of their life really make the society a safer place?

How do you feel? Please comment below!

Freedom Forever!

-Alex

Interview with a lifer

Note: None of the inmates in the pictures have anything to do with Free. She has chosen not to reveal her name or face for this blog. Only her thoughts

Doing time is always hard and there are lot of problems in the American prison system, such as abusive guards and scarce resources.

There has been a lot of talk about police brutality as well as inmate abuse. It's way too big topic for me right now, but we're planning a post about that too. Now the talks about abolishing the prison system has been trending. I think that's a terrible idea, but I do agree that mass incarceration needs to stop. In my opinion, the whole prison system needs reforming.

But it's easy for me to speculate things from the outside world. It's time to ask Free about her experiences. After all, she's been calling prison her home since her teenage years. If anyone knows about the reality of prison life, it's her.

What's been good and bad with your time in both juvie and adult prison?

I matured because I spent a good length of time in lockdown. I think the facilities with more structure, as well as more humanized officers were the most productive in my growth. The less rules and more unprofessional the staff the harder my growing became.

What would you want to ease up your time?

What I would like to ease my time would be more resources to education and groups with less waiting lists and more diversity in spiritual options.

What would you need?

There would have to be less security positions and more rehabilitative positions, as well as educational or religious, to increase growth. The structure should be consistent instead of constantly changing like it does.

What kinds of inmates are the best to hang out with?

The best inmates to surround yourself with are those that have a similar mindset. Being around people who do not relate to you will always cause problems.

What kinds are the worst?

The worst inmates to be around are usually drug cases or sex offenders. People addicted to drugs in prison often betray their loved ones and sex offenders tend to be less able to truly rehabilitate.

What kind of bunky do you like to share cell with?

I like a bunky who can hold a conversation, is financially secure, is calm, has regular sleeping habits and is overall easygoing.

What kind would you hate?

The worst bunkies are controlling, into illegal activity that could get me in trouble as well, who get high/drunk a lot or who are just rude in general.

What happens, when you don't get along with a bunky?

When not getting along with a bunky it is important not to show fear. Stand up for yourself but don't be aggressive. If they try to fight don't back down and don't tell. If it was your room before they got there just make them uncomfortable until they move. If it was their room first find an alternative move and tell staff to put you there.

What kinds of guards are the best?

The best officers are consistent. They go by the same program or rules all of the time, making no exceptions and showing no favoritism. If they are mean? Be mean all the time. At least we know what to expect. Friendly? The same goes there. Switching rules and attitudes is a set up for rebellion and failure.

What kinds of guard are the worst?

The worst officers are the ones involved in illegal activity. Sex or drugs are a slippery slide. However, they also tend to seem the most friendly. They are the first ones to falsify reports even though they appear kind. One law broken means they are willing to break them all!

Which ones do you see more?

You see more corrupt cops or unpredictable than reliable. The ones that are easier to predict I now notice are up for retirement. The younger ones are more volatile.

How should prison staff improve? And how the system itself?

Prison staff need thorough training on psychology, basically to emphasize the humanity of inmates. When treated like criminals, inmates act like criminals. When treated as people we act as people. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.

Final Words

I hope this interview gave you a few new thoughts. Prison reform is a long and rocky road, but it's still worth every step. I also know that a lot of steps have been made to the right direction. The Journey has already begun, so let's take it all the way to Victory.

The reform will never happen, as long as prison staff's attitude won't change. That will change gradually, once the people know what's really going on behind the walls. Knowing isn't enough either. We have to show, that we don't approve any sort of abuse, misuse of power or violence. People in prison are still people. If we don't shoot them once they've committed the crime, it makes no sense to lock them up without giving them help.

Thanks for reading. Please share this article in your social media. Let's make a difference together, one step at a time.

Freedom Forever! 

-Alex & Free

Cry for Prison Reform

Alex

I love USA, even though I've never set foot outside of Europe. But if There's one thing I'd fix, it's the prison system.

US has The largest prison population In the world. It also holds record of children doing life, just like Free started as over ten years ago.

Inmate population is one thing, but the prisons themselves are hellholes, that really serve no-one. They're based on punishment more than rehabilitation. Most People who commit crimes already have multiple problem with metal health and the humiliations In prison only adds to them.

In a nutshell, the problem could be described like this: punishment only breaks down the good People and makes bad People worse. Especially, when persons who made a mistake are shoved In with malicious narcissists.

Don't get me wrong! I'm not trying to be some holier-than-thou European coming to fix America. We In Finland have the worst prisons in Scandinavia, though we recently opened supposedly the most humane women's prison In the world. I have no information how it works in reality, but it's a step In the right direction. Now the success of it depends only on staff and inmates

I really hope to be part of prison reform In the future. It's a step towards better, more humane world

 

The new Finnish women's prison has an ambition of being the most humane prison in the world 

Free:

America's systems are unfair and prison is a hard place to grow up. I have been locked up since the age of 14. I had to go from facility to facility, year after year, and learn how to survive in situations most wouldn't as adults.

I have seen much abuse and negligence and it can be horrible. But in the end I have changed and can say I am a better person. I never will come back to prison once released. But what i worry about is future children who make mistakes like I did.

If America doesn't change for the prisons, shouldn't it for our children??

We need faith...

Alex:

Me and Free are both devote Christians. I found my faith after finding her. Before that I was an agnostic. There was no drama or a great Journey In me finding Christ. We never had any conversation with Free either, although She was devote years before.

One Day I just started reading my old Bible, decided to go through it from start to finish. At one point I started praying for Lord, even though I had done the same thing as agnostic.

I've always been spiritual, even when I was younger and had a brief period of atheism. I've just always felt there is more, than what we see or can explain.

This is funny, because when my Egyptian father tried to forcibly convert me To Islam, I left doors banging. I won't be forced to anything. But calling is a horse of a different color. You just have To feel your calling, where ever it is to.

Why am I telling this? To preach you that Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life and you should immediately repent? Of course not! That's not my business. I just want to point out that we're living a dark period. Perhaps the darkest one In the modern times, at least since WWII. Who knows what the future will bring.

One reason for this, I think is, that we have Lost our spiritual connection. To our souls, this connection is like air. Because we've Lost it, we're looking for it from stuff like politics and this creates radical movements. In the end, these movements leave us hollow and depressed, because they really can't feed our souls. All the socialist countries have Gone through this phase for the last hundred years.

We need spirituality, fast! My suggestion: Read stories, write, meditate, pray. Do whatever your intuition tells you To connect your soul. I do it. It's a process towards a better life.

Think what you want of this post. I can only tell, what has helped me. Thanks for reading!

Amen <3

Free:

Religion is a touchy subject. Some people are spiritual, others agnostic, even atheist but I was raised as a strict Catholic. As I aged I dabbled in different Christian venues and branched off. In rebellious periods I looked into the Wiccan way and Buddhist practices. To this day I study with all types of Christian denomination.

I have to say that there is the historical aspect of the actual Scriptures that is rather controversial. But the meaning of the doctrines isn't. God is Love. He has righteous anger towards sin, not the sinner, and made us in His image. When we turned away from His perfect Plan he covered our sins with His threefold son's scrifice. His Son died and the blood covered our sns, as his son was both human and God and the only suitable candidate for the job as He had no sin of His own due to His divine nature.

All in all the Old Testament is the Old Covenant, meaning the law. Christianity foruses on the New testament, or the New Covenant, which is love. The ten law Commandments got tied into two by Jesus Himself when he said to love God above all else and then to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is that simple. Love.

Of course the doctrine varies by denomination. Baptism, sacraments, rituals, proof of being saved, beliefs of the Second Coming of Christ are all up for debate. It wasn't meant to be understoof though. God said to us that when Jesus comes back it will be as a "theif in the night" and that is the only solid statement regarding what is to come and as for salvation the bottom line is just believing that jesus was without sin and died for us. period.

I study with different ways of thinking to just stay open and thoughtful, understanding to all walks and sects of Christianity. I even have attended Mormon studies and Jehovah's witness groups. But I also branch out still, read about the Karma theory in totally separate religions such as jainism or Buddhism.

I hope to work at a church when I get out. Maybe as an accountant. I am looking into the bookkeeping aspect of things. I finally got a place to go to in another state recently so I am looking for ministry related options. Pray I make it!!!

Locked up and Locked down

Finland is just about opening up again. Schools were opened last week and restaurants open In one week. This doesn't mean the crisis would be at an end. Prisons in US still have More than strict restrictions, such as visiting blocks. Though There's something good In it as well. Last week I saw my loved one for the first time live, as She was able To send a video gram.

They're 30 second videos you can send to your loved one via Jpay, as long as you have the app. In Free's prison, the inmates can't send them, but because of the crisis, they made an exeption. Free was able To send a few videos. I had seen her photos and heard voice In our Phone call, but I hadn't seen her live yet. Now There's so much more to wait <3

Videograms is only a part of what is gong on in the CA prison system. While Alex was finally able to see me, it has been harder for my father and step mother who are used to spending a weekend a month wih me. It has now been three months since I have seen my father's face. We were permitted free phone calls to immediate family for awhile, provided free mother's day cards, and the companies that stand by us (Jpay and Global TelLink) have been suportive through these hard times. However, it is the actual prison that is slamming us down.

We were given 15 minute free phone calls to family memers only by Global TelLink, only for the prison to say we can only be on the phone for 10 minutes. Face masks have become permanent pieces of our required attire, and if we are within 6 feet on one another we may suffer penalies. Then, we were allowed in our unit only but as time went on they came up with further rules- only phone calls, showers, and kiosk or wash slot. But then it became you can only do things with up to 4 people at a time. Now it is one cell at a time, and we started out with 20 minutes of freedome (10 minute shower 10 minute call or kiosk time) to now 10 minutes out of our rooms total with only our cellmates.

The guards are struggling, as critical workers are no longer allowed out. They must clean and cook. As a resulf the conditions are getting more and more filthy and we are eating cold, packaged foods. This has made the guards bitter, and they are treating us worse and worse as time goes on. They are bitter due to their extra duties and are taking it out on us by ignoring essential needs such as picking up our trash or delivering mail in a timely fashion.

I was forced, along with every other imate, to take COVID testing. However, I had informed staff prior that I could not take the nasal test due to my deviated septum and past surgeries on my face. When the forced testing came all reasons were ignored and I suffered a tube being thrust up my nose and down my throat by a nurse who held me down as I bucked with pain.

Meanwhile my cardiac needs continue to be ignored. I was ordered to wear a halter cardiac monitor over 3 mnths ago, when the restrictions were first beginning. I never received that nor my echo cardiogram despite my worsening EKG and renewed symptoms.

I love Alex. He has been the support and motivation behind me continuing to push onward. My cellmate has already started showing signs of mental deterioration from the lockdown, however I have been in worse conditions since my childhood so I try to be strong for both of us. I know toomany suicides that occurred behind locked doors and will not crack as I must be strng for both of us to survive.

My family has bagan to answer m calls when I can, as they are only a few minutes now. However prior to the virus we rarely spke. Now I just call my father over and over just to say I love him. I want him to know in case it is our last time speaking.

CDCR stands for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabillitation. How can anyone correct themselves or rehabilitate in a locked room the size of an average closet???

Love, Free

Anxiety and distance

NOTICE: This post was written before the COVID-19 crisis broke out, so things were looking up. Now they look kind of bad, especially to inmate population. However, I'm keeping up the hope and so is Free.

Alex:

Free just had a chance of getting out, because of her state changing the laws about sentencing minors. Well, she was in a court, but didn't walk out just yet. Instead her sentence was reduced, so she'll be getting out in two years.

I'm kind of bummed and relieved at the same time. Bummed, because there was such a good chance of her going free. Relieved, because neither of us aren't necessarily ready. I don't have the resources of flying to the States just yet. Also, I'd have to meet her father, which is another story.

Well, anyway, I made the best of our situation, by starting a saving account for her and another one for my US trip. My goal is to meet her next year, though the goal may change and I need to send a visitors application form, which might not get approved. Well, just have to wait and see...

Anyway, I'm excited and kind of terrified about the future. But most of all, I'm inspired!

_______________________________________________________________________________

Free:

Going through prison at such a young age has impacted me. I fear getting out but feel I deserve it after serving so long. Don't get me wrong, I know I committed a crime and feel my sentence is fair, but at the same time I am not the kid that committed my crime. I am a woman now and feel ready to start my life over.

Alex and I have a struggle. Every day is hard. We live across the globe, struggle with mental illness and financial difficulties. But at the end of the day all we have is each other. Now we are more prepared to plan for the future. So from this court experience we can take that from it.

Anything can happen, at any time. Alex and I are working as a team to prepare for any scenerio that comes our way. Hopefully he can visit me, but if not we'll continue a long distance relationship until I can get to him.

God is watching over us.

Knock on wood...

I'm writing this, we're at the beginning of the crisis caused by the corona virus. Finland, as well as the rest of the world, is under martial law. Schools and public places, such as libraries and swimming halls are closed.

Whatever happens, this will cause an economic depression. This decade will be all about getting through that. What does the corona crisis have to do with my relationship? Everything. 

Prisons are closed as well. Yesterday, Free called me, just before the Phone were closed. Of course There's also the fact, that if the pandemic really breaks out and fills the hospitals, inmates are the last to get treated.

Especially, when Free has some health issues She can Tell more about. The most frustrating thing is, that I can do nothing for us, except pray and wait. Oh well. It will pass In few weeks. Knock on wood...  

-Alex

Being locked up with the corona virus pandemic has been hectic. We are locked down, with no visitors and I still have to go to work to clean. My job is brutal. For 11¢ an hour I scrub the unit with disinfectant and bleach.

I am exposed to the virus and other germs as inmates have already been rushed to the hospitals. I have a pacemaker and get sick easily, so the work and lockdown is scary. I already go to the hospital a lot and get locked in rooms where there are blood and feces, merely attached to a portable vital machine.

The corona virus is scary and killing people on the streets in the US. In the prisons it has created fear and choas. When will it end?

-Free

P.S: This post was written a couple of weeks ago, so the situation's only worse. The virus is in four units. So far, Free's unit is still OK. Only time will tell... -Alex