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Gang Life: In The Words of Gang Members

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just had to comment on this article and a such distructive manner in which is being used towards the correctional officers of the California Youth Authority, prison for boys, in which our chidren are being watched over by such cold hearted, intimadating and provoking and distructive abuse I have ever seen, as a witness of the news in my city of Fresno, Ca. The reason also that I can relate to and have the experience as my son a young teenager, now a man, faced for 3 1/2 years and now still faces incarceration, with 3 appeals denied, plus a date that could be indifinate.

I also know some of the young men that reside there, known as babies, good boys, now being abused and treated like a criminal of yet some horrid crime, when in reality the common crime could be stealing or the use of drugs on a repeated offense. You see my son got 9 years for stealing cars, yes he needed to be disciplined, but not put, to live in a box cell, for yet his young year! s and a part of his man years. And then the games this institution is run by, provoking these boys into gang related fighting, making these boys choose a life of violence, never to be thought of that such a mistake has me, lost without freedom, living under the authority of such C.O.'s that for some reason choose in there everyday manner to make these boys more corrupt, locked up as numbers, still minors, the majority of the young boys.

After the system grasps a hold of these young boys, there is no promise that there will be any rehabilitation. I can vouch to that, as a mother, having my sons, face the system, first hand. Why the cruel and unusual punishment, what are the qualifications of a Correctional Officer? Does the job require abuse and manipulative actions towards our children, that have made a mistake in there life, yes. But to be treated in such manner will, only cause, and I can vouch for that, turn this child int! o a violent, hard, and associated gang member.

That maybe, had no idea that this place could be some what the last end of discipline for our boys. My idea of it was that the system, took my son from me, which is and was a good boy, and completely turned him into a man that had no idea the kind of everyday living basis, in which he would face because of a teenager mistake. Still facing the incarceration and a result of C.Y.A's abuse, that my son has been behind bars for 6 1/2 years and more on that. Did it get better? NO!!! I pray everyday for his protection and saftey for he resides in a Maximum Security Prison.

The California Youth Authourity, have been witnessed from the eyes of mothers and citizens of California, for the watched beatings of two inmates, because of an excuse, or such story, in which they felt it fit to discipline them through abuse. OK, again, does the qualifications add abuse towards o! urs sons, giving these boys a judgement of ones self , or the cruelty of there own heart. Do they have children? Do they treat there own child with such force and beating, to just discipline an act that the inmate seemingly has to pay for , NATURALLY.

Now the cake and punch line is, they have no evidence for the procecution of the Correctional Officers, throwing out the tape, knowing that what they had saw was evidence, in its self. Why do the Officers get away with crimes they commit, not looking at them as people, like anyone else, who makes mistakes. And should have fairness in a Court of Law. Can you imagine if that is the case, can you imagine the climb in the Correctional Officer occupation, knowing you can make crime happen and get away with it. Does the uniform, cover the person that lives and wears such a uniform, and live to the integrity of which they stand for anyways. Look on how the Police Force and Prison System, has c! ome together to destroy a generation, that claims our future but are being manipulated by such human beings. The Police Force are so adament into taking the gang member off the streets, being catorgorized by clothing of such style, not looking at a person for who he is.

Harrasing the children, way before any kind of crime, or mistake could even exist. Then the C. O.'s act as such a gang member wearing a uniform to do the same crime and mistake. Ok, switch clothing, same person, different style. Does that give the right to the society to take our children and abuse them. What needs to happen just like the system wants, is there should be a fair hearing for the Procecuting. Just like anyone else, there are no favoritism's. Out of fear they beat our boys. How dare does this Institution claim, these so called programs, maybe a handful take or are even allowed to go. No opportunity for School, as my son did not have the opp! ortunity to even get his GED, because of Solitary confinement, wasnt that enough discipline or to take the mind of the child in which is required to be apart of societies, work force and education. No and but's.

My opinion on this is to investigate the mannerisms of the way our children are being took care of. To get more compassionate, dependable, employees for the title of Correction or Peace Officers. That is what it really stands for. My words to you C.O.'s, stop and look in the mirror, about the issues you might be facing, and get a handle of it, leave the home, at home and take care of these inmates. As the abuse may not subside, then, as a last comment to Why you might of became a correctional officer or a peace officer?. I hope not to prove yourself bigger or badder than one inmate, because then the wrong profession is at hand. Let's come together and fix this and make our next generation a strong one, and yet walk high i! n respect for an authority, not harming one another, or even choose to think there was a right to be able to get away with.

Give Love and Understanding to these boys and opportunities, then there would be no reason for such high level adrinaline. Stop the violence in the Employees that claim abuse as discipline. Hitting is no answer. All I know is all the State of California, needs to come together, to create a more stable yet secure place of living, where an inmate, can be given the opportunity to make a difference in there lives, and given the opportunity to be a part of a person in society, claiming self dignity. So lets come together and make a change. Thanks for the opportunity to share my story.

A Mother of Whose Children Face Abuse by the System