Just a layover

I knew this day was coming soon, but finally at 3:00 a.m. on November 27th I was awakened by an officer, he instructed me that I had only 30 minutes to get ready. I’ve been on edge for months waiting for this move to happen, but I was starting to feel anxious with what’s to come next. I’ve done these transfers many times before, but this will be my first time going down to a level three. At 3:30 a.m. the officers began the standard procedure: strip search, cuffs, waist chains, and ankle restraints. Once prepared, we walked through the night yard, picking up other individuals along the way, and eventually arrived at Receiving and Release (R&R).

R&R consisted of holding cells resembling sliding vaults. I was placed in one with two other men, waiting for the next step. They took our clothes and handed us thin, disposable cotton-like jumpsuits and we sat in that cell until 8 or 9 in the morning. It was so cold, but I tried to focus on something else rather than the coldness that was trying to reach deep into my bones.

When we boarded the bus, there was about 20 seats divided by a cage in the centre. We sat in rows of twos, each separated—one person in a cage, the other "free." Despite the confinement, we were still shackled; hands, waist and ankles. The officers enforced silence while the bus moved but allowed conversation during stops. A generic pop radio station filled the silence.

The ride itself felt like an eternity. Although my new prison was only an hour and a half away, the journey itself took six hours as we stopped at four other prisons along the way to drop off passengers. My shoulders and back ached from leaning against the hard cage and I kept nodding off, but trying to stay awake so I could see outside.

As I stared out the window, I found moments of escape. It’s been seven years since I’ve left Kern Valley State Prison. I saw four of those Elon Musk Tesla trucks, and thought, Am I in the future? The small towns we passed through reminded me of life beyond these walls—people walking freely and farms scattered across the landscape. I kept my eye on all the new styles of cars and got to spot a Dodge Charger and a Challenger. Super cool.

When we stopped to drop off some incarcerated men, I noticed what looked like my property box being unloaded at another prison. My hunch was spot on—half my belongings went missing.

Finally, we arrived at our destination, only a few of us were left. The R&R process resumed with medical exams, photo documentation, and a detailed rundown of the prison's rules. It was the night before Thanksgiving, and to my surprise, the meal was incredible—a massive turkey drumstick, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. There was some shitty Celery on the plate, but whatever, it was seriously the best food I'd ever had in prison, and I was genuinely thankful.

I sat in R&R until about 7 p.m., then walked through the yard making my way to my new building.

For the first time during my incarceration, I saw something remarkable—a pond filled with koi fish and turtles. The fish were massive. I never expected to be in a prison with fish and turtles. I can’t wait to see them again.

The yard was alive in other ways, too, with roaming cats and a dog program. A friend introduced me to one of the dogs, Mowgli. I hadn’t touched a dog in nearly 30 years, and when I felt his fur and fed him a treat, the emotions overwhelmed me. The simple act of connecting with him was indescribable. I hope to enrol into the program soon and can’t wait to be able to spend time with these dogs. (You can follow the Dog Program on Instagram @wileyswish)

This experience feels like a layover—a temporary stop on the larger journey towards freedom. I remind myself not to get too comfortable. The focus remains on growth, progress, and eventually, release. There are a lot of opportunities here to help with that growth. I’ll be facilitating the Toltec services class, in which I am already in the works of putting together. I am hoping to take some vocational programs to earn certificates like HVAC. I will also be enrolling in more self help groups, and am determined to earn my GED (finally…)

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me on this path. Your encouragement has been a guiding light, helping me grow in ways I never thought possible. Sharing this journey with you has been a privilege and I hope to continue to do so. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all.

Samuel