I didn’t realize my ‘normal’ wasn’t normal until I got transferred to a less restricted housing unit.  Before that, my normal was trying to sleep through the yelling and banging, being forced to show my genitals, including bending over and spreading my cheeks, every time I left my cell – hands cuffed behind my back once I did. 

The ‘normal’ I was being subjected to was making it less and less likely that once released – I would be able to function around ‘normal’ people. 

I just hope my new normal will undo the damage my old normal caused…

ABOUT THE WRITER: Mr. Reaves is a new writer to our site, and I hope we see more from him. He said a lot in four sentences – I’m excited to see what he sends in next. Mr. Reaves can be contacted at:

SC – Sterlin Reaves DX-5999
P.O. Box 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733