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Photo by Ameen Fahmy on Unsplash

Trapped inside these 4 walls
With hunger pains and no calls
Concrete coffins all I get from breakin
Man made laws

What happened to rehabilitation
They said that’s supposed to be the cause
How am I supposed to believe the system
When they don’t believe in us at all

How can the flawed judge the flawed
Seeing that nobody’s perfect
You ask for help, they pull back
And really wanna charge for their service

Treat us worthless, not worth it
Some just really want a chance
I know crimes just ain’t right
But understand I’m still a man

Never had a true friend
In this place, I wont search
Surrounded by the Lost and the Hurt
Who only seek selfishness first

Look around and see no change
Inside the shackles and chains
So if anybodys listening
Help us out if you can

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

Tevin Austin is a writer incarcerated in California.