The Westgate Correctional Facility has become a place of despair for many young inmates, with conditions that seem to extinguish hope rather than inspire transformation. Among them is a group of 19- and 20-year-olds who, despite their troubled pasts, yearn for a second chance.
These young men, who never completed their education in the public school system, dream of earning their GEDs and turning their lives around. Yet, they find themselves trapped in an environment that offers no opportunities for rehabilitation or growth.
One inmate shared a deeply personal story of losing both grandmothers—one on each side of his family—while incarcerated. He described the heartbreak of not being able to grieve or even acknowledge these losses in a meaningful way. This experience left him questioning not only his circumstances but the system itself. “I admit the crime I committed, and I’m dealing with the consequences,” he said. “But where’s the humanity? Where’s the understanding? Where’s the help we’re supposed to get to become better citizens when we leave?”
These young men are not asking for leniency or pity. They accept the mistakes that brought them to this point. However, they stress their desire to learn, grow, and emerge from incarceration as better individuals. Instead, they are subjected to conditions that breed frustration and resentment:
•Lack of Rehabilitation Programs: Despite their willingness to pursue education and personal development, there are no programs in place to help them earn a GED, learn vocational skills, or develop emotional intelligence.
•Extreme Lockdown Measures: Inmates report being locked down for 22 and a half hours a day, leaving little time or opportunity for meaningful activities or interaction.
•Inadequate Facilities and Equipment: The absence of basic resources, innovation, and motivational programs further compounds the sense of neglect and hopelessness.
In their own words, “We want to leave here as better people than when we came in. But how can we do that when we’re given nothing to work with?”
A PLEA TO THE ADMINISTRATION
The inmates have directed their frustrations at the current PLP administration, questioning its commitment to the people. “If they say they’re for the people, then they need to help every person—even those who are incarcerated,” one young man said.
Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of justice systems worldwide. It is meant to give those who have made mistakes a chance to reintegrate into society as productive citizens. These young men are calling for exactly that—opportunities to educate themselves, develop skills, and address the root causes of their actions so they can return to their communities with renewed purpose.
A CALL FOR CHANGE
Their stories highlight the urgent need for systemic reform at Westgate Correctional Facility. Rehabilitation programs must be prioritized, and conditions must improve to reflect a system that values human dignity and the potential for redemption. Without such changes, these young inmates risk leaving the facility not as reformed individuals but as embittered men, ill-equipped to navigate life outside the prison walls.
The question remains: Will the administration listen to these pleas and act, or will the cries for humanity and understanding fall on deaf ears? For the sake of these young men—and society as a whole—action cannot wait.
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