A Prisoner's Feelings

If history repeats itself, people will only remember a fraction of the truth. People believe the lies from TV and the newspaper. No one remembers me as an honest person. I was given 48 years at 100% for a crime I did not commit, and I have never had a criminal history. It is no fun being in prison while knowing you are innocent of your charges! It is one of the hardest things I have done! I feel depressed, angry, and confused! Sometimes hateful, but I also feel it is very hard to love others unconditionally, and to forgive when a serious lie keeps me in prison. 

I am housed at a prison that is really close to my family, but yet I feel far away from them! Family can live 15 to 20 minutes away, but others tell them the same lies, and other lies that kept them away, and mislead my trust. My race and disability can sometimes make things even harder! Age is not a good thing in here, I am 54 years old, but I am expected to think and act as an 18 to 21-year-old. Most inmates consider me to be odd, call me a freak, and think I am unapproachable because of my charges! "Over" 

Inmate and staff don't listen to my problems. They have their own problems. Some may hear and believe in me, but I feel like they are already judging me. The truth is not always what you believe it to be! Anyone can lie and coerce paperwork! 

As a young child, my parents taught me to ignore all negative people that judge and show dislike! I am a different type of person and have different beliefs than others. Because of this, some find it hard to trust me. Some think that my charges are a good reason for them to dislike and distrust me! It does not matter how I feel about this, it is just another problem! It can be even worse when I can’t trust any attorneys! My fate is in their hands, and they lie too! Attorneys are friends with the D.A. and judges, and this gives me a biased decision. Attorneys help them and judge me also! 

So, it is mid-day, and same as every day, I am sitting on my bunk, writing my thoughts. I am forced to share a bathroom-sized cell with another inmate. I sleep on a bunk bed that is about 3 feet from the toilet or sink. My clothes are washed one time per week, but they still have a bad smell. This is a very nasty, dirty, and unclean way to live! 

There are some ways that this life feels better than being in the free world. If I was in the free world with this charge, it would be worse. The public already believe in my guilt, and are judging me. They would do all they could to make me and my family unhappy! 

Well, the day has passed. It is now time for count. Count is a time that I am locked in my cell and the staff counts all the inmates in the facility. This is also a time when I eat, fellowship, or just hang out with my cellie. This is my daily routine, except my working hours. Things only change when the facility goes on lockdown, which gives me plenty of time for self-contemplation of my situation. 

I must leave you for now. I will give this pen and paper a rest. Alone with these thoughts, 

E.L. "Wolf" Hood II 
South Central Correctional Facility, TN 
Nashville, TN 370 
E.L. "Wolf" Hood II 452136 
25 AUG 2026 PM 3 L 
P.O. Box 247 
Phoenix, MD 21131-0247