Is Dreaming in Prison Good For Me?

I’m transported to surreal scenes and happier times, only to awake in a penitentiary.

by Arnoldo Juarez July 21, 2026July 15, 2026

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Is Dreaming in Prison Good For Me?

by Arnoldo Juarez, Prison Journalism Project
July 21, 2026

<h1>Is Dreaming in Prison Good For Me?</h1>
<p class="byline">by Arnoldo Juarez, Prison Journalism Project <br />July 21, 2026</p>

<p>Pleasant dreams leave me feeling gloomy.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I’m fortunate to dream wonderful dreams on my prison bunk. My dreams become full of vivid, exciting, even perplexing projections, mixed with recollections and imagery.</p>
<p>It seems like my subconscious wants to relieve me from incarceration and provide some delight. After being surrounded by blaring alarms, razor wire and lofty guard towers for over two decades, I dig the escape.</p>
<p>Before I proceed into the journey each night, I prepare my journal so I can hastily scribble my dreams whenever I wake up.</p>
<p>In one recent, surreal dream, a vivacious Latina wrestler fought gracefully. After overcoming her opponent she celebrated with a glide toward me. Unfortunately for me, I awoke when I was about to embrace her. In another dream, an unknown individual handed me oversized Chips Ahoy cookies, but before I could snag them, my eyes peeled open.</p>
<p>Some intricate visions leave me feeling perplexed. In one dream, a colorful, vintage facility had erected furniture while music played and feet stomped.</p>
<p>As fun as these escapes are, I’m not sure if vitalizing and impressive dreams are good for me. The dreams bring me sadness and leave my heart heavy after I come to and realize that I’m still serving a draconian sentence in the penitentiary.</p>
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A colorful illustration shows the writer, Arnoldo Juarez, dreaming and smiling, surrounded by ladybugs, cookies, butterflies, and various other items. — Illustration by Arnoldo Juarez

Pleasant dreams leave me feeling gloomy.

I’m fortunate to dream wonderful dreams on my prison bunk. My dreams become full of vivid, exciting, even perplexing projections, mixed with recollections and imagery.

It seems like my subconscious wants to relieve me from incarceration and provide some delight. After being surrounded by blaring alarms, razor wire and lofty guard towers for over two decades, I dig the escape.

Before I proceed into the journey each night, I prepare my journal so I can hastily scribble my dreams whenever I wake up.

In one recent, surreal dream, a vivacious Latina wrestler fought gracefully. After overcoming her opponent she celebrated with a glide toward me. Unfortunately for me, I awoke when I was about to embrace her. In another dream, an unknown individual handed me oversized Chips Ahoy cookies, but before I could snag them, my eyes peeled open.

Some intricate visions leave me feeling perplexed. In one dream, a colorful, vintage facility had erected furniture while music played and feet stomped.

As fun as these escapes are, I’m not sure if vitalizing and impressive dreams are good for me. The dreams bring me sadness and leave my heart heavy after I come to and realize that I’m still serving a draconian sentence in the penitentiary.

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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.

Tagged: California, Life in Prison, Page One, Spotlight

Arnoldo Juarez

Arnoldo Juarez is an artist incarcerated in California.

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