In 1960, when I came out of prison as an ex-convict, I had more freedom under parolee supervision than there's available... in America right now.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I've spent most of my life in prison. I was a prisoner of my fear and my low self-esteem.
When I was in jail, I was a lot of people's favorite person. I practically ran the jail. I had more freedom than the police.
No one can say, 'I have dropped out - I am no longer in the system.' When you're in prison, you're even closer to the system: you feel it more, and you might be in there for whatever reason. You don't transform the system as an absolute thing.
So I departed and was free from imprisonment.
Lots of people think I went to prison. I never went to prison. I was in jail without bail.
I still remember, 40 years ago, when I was shackled and put in prison... Being an American citizen didn't mean a thing.
I spent five years of my youth in prison - some very bad prisons.
I have done prison time for 13 years without any conviction.
Prosecution I have managed to avoid; but I have been arrested, charged in a police court, have refused to be bound over, and thereupon have been unconditionally released - to my great regret; for I have always wanted to know what going to prison was like.
I gave my parole once, and it has been shamefully violated by the British Government; I shall not give another to people on whom no faith can be reposed.