The Cell

By Shane Lloyd Price

A prisoner recounts the story of his experiences in prison.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shane Lloyd Price
• Release date: Oct 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463575727

Book preview

The age of the individual

Two gaolers escort a prisoner down a corridor, push him into a cell, close the door with a bang, and march away. The prisoner sits on the bed and narrates. If filmed, he is heard voice over, except when in discourse with others.

So, I found myself in a prison cell, alone, and asked myself, why? I reflected on the matter, and many ideas, fantasies and possible answers flowed through my mind.

Was it not was Gladstone who advocated that placing prisoners alone, in single cells, instead of crowding them together, would stimulate thought? they'd have nothing else to do all day but think, and, he hoped, about what they had done. I turned it to advantage; but others would suffer their loneliness and loss of freedom.

I am a misfit, I do not conform, I am an individual: that is my only crime and why I await trial. I was sent here because I was deemed to be no good for anything else.

Look at those who work in institutions - government service, armed forces, banking, and the City - they are accepted, not because they are better, but because they fit the pattern, they run with the pack; they are mediocre, and some are villains.

If a nice person is unpopular, maybe he is not among nice people. If you do not fit, life can be a trap; however, if, within, you can create a world of your own, a world of fantasy, and have a strong inner being, you can survive; but, this world cannot be expressed openly, custom forbids.

He lies on the bed