http://teenink.com/nonfiction/all/article/81990/A-Family-in-Prison/
"A Family in Prison" is about a young child whose father was put in jail. They were frightened when it happened, as they were only 5 years old. That was the last time they saw their father outside of the prison, and they are now 15-16 years old. The reader does not find out until later that not only was he sent away for a life sentence, but he was sent away for murder, and the writer believes that it is a crime that he did not commit.
I think the author is trying to say that having one family member in jail isn't just like having that one person in jail, but it is as if you are giving the whole family a life-sentence, no matter how long one really is in prison. The author says "While my sisters, mom, and I are out living life, Dad is in that horrific place every minute of his life, only getting to see his family one day a week." The people in jail are not just missing out on their lives, but also the people that are in their lives. Take this situation for example: This person hasn't seen their dad outside of prison bars since they were 5, and they are now 16. Those 11 years can't be gained back. The person in jail wasn't there for his child's "Stepping-up" ceremony in kindergarten, he wasn't there for his child's 5th grade graduation, he wasn't there for his child's birthdays, he simply wasn't there. Of course, it wasn't his fault, but that does not change the fact of the matter. People say families that go through this type of thing are brought closer together, but it is still something that will always be there. That 11 year gap in that child's life will always be there. Another reason it is like giving a life-sentence to the whole family and to the person in jail despite the amount of time they were put in is because prison records follow you. The writer says "Now I can hardly remember my dad without his uniform." Prison affects how you view someone. Being in jail will be on your record long after you get out of jail, and it wont just affect the person in jail, but also their family. While I can't say that everyone in jail has a family that cares for them and supports them, it is very hard for those who do.
All together, having one family member in jail isn't just like having that one person in jail, but it is as if you are giving the whole family a life-sentence, no matter how long one really is in prison. I believe that this person that is in jail is very lucky. Not many people in jail have someone that they look forward to seeing when they come out, or someone that does visit them in prison every week whenever they can. I think that that is something that is very important to anyone that is in prison, and it can also prevent you from getting in trouble while you are there. It is very sad to see the amount of people that are put in prison just because the prosecutor wanted to close a case quickly or needed to put someone in jail so they would look good on paper. Not just that, but so many families lose faith in these people that are put away unjustly. I think that whoever wrote this is very strong and I hope they continue to have faith for their father and continue to reach out to him.
"A Family in Prison" is about a young child whose father was put in jail. They were frightened when it happened, as they were only 5 years old. That was the last time they saw their father outside of the prison, and they are now 15-16 years old. The reader does not find out until later that not only was he sent away for a life sentence, but he was sent away for murder, and the writer believes that it is a crime that he did not commit.
I think the author is trying to say that having one family member in jail isn't just like having that one person in jail, but it is as if you are giving the whole family a life-sentence, no matter how long one really is in prison. The author says "While my sisters, mom, and I are out living life, Dad is in that horrific place every minute of his life, only getting to see his family one day a week." The people in jail are not just missing out on their lives, but also the people that are in their lives. Take this situation for example: This person hasn't seen their dad outside of prison bars since they were 5, and they are now 16. Those 11 years can't be gained back. The person in jail wasn't there for his child's "Stepping-up" ceremony in kindergarten, he wasn't there for his child's 5th grade graduation, he wasn't there for his child's birthdays, he simply wasn't there. Of course, it wasn't his fault, but that does not change the fact of the matter. People say families that go through this type of thing are brought closer together, but it is still something that will always be there. That 11 year gap in that child's life will always be there. Another reason it is like giving a life-sentence to the whole family and to the person in jail despite the amount of time they were put in is because prison records follow you. The writer says "Now I can hardly remember my dad without his uniform." Prison affects how you view someone. Being in jail will be on your record long after you get out of jail, and it wont just affect the person in jail, but also their family. While I can't say that everyone in jail has a family that cares for them and supports them, it is very hard for those who do.
All together, having one family member in jail isn't just like having that one person in jail, but it is as if you are giving the whole family a life-sentence, no matter how long one really is in prison. I believe that this person that is in jail is very lucky. Not many people in jail have someone that they look forward to seeing when they come out, or someone that does visit them in prison every week whenever they can. I think that that is something that is very important to anyone that is in prison, and it can also prevent you from getting in trouble while you are there. It is very sad to see the amount of people that are put in prison just because the prosecutor wanted to close a case quickly or needed to put someone in jail so they would look good on paper. Not just that, but so many families lose faith in these people that are put away unjustly. I think that whoever wrote this is very strong and I hope they continue to have faith for their father and continue to reach out to him.
No comments:
Post a Comment