Black men born in the U.S. and fortunate enough to live past the age of 13–are conditioned to accept the inevitability of prison. Being born a slave in a captive society prepares one for prison.” George Jackson, Soledad Brother
A day during the daily operation at the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice (CJC) in Philadelphia, where hundreds of Black and Brown male and female prisoners are exploited by the American Judicial system, a Slave Exhibition took place.
It was just after 1:00 pm in the (five-sub) holding area, an area heavily secured five levels under the ground level of the Criminal Justice Center. The grim area is 75 yards in length and 30 yards in width. Within this area, there are 30 holding cells that are adjacent to each other. The cells are 6 X 18ft in diameter and 12ft in height. The ventilation system deliberately blows out freezing air to keep the prisoners cold, shivering, and extremely uncomfortable.
The Africans who sit bunched up embrace themselves, rocking back and forth to try to generate some level of heat. Each cold cell houses up to (50) prisoners (modern-day slaves). Many find small corners to sit down at, but the majority of prisoners sit down (knees to chest) exactly where they can find room to stand; harsh stories of fratricide, winning previous cases, ineffective attorneys, and behaviors on the street.
As this dreadful day unfolds, the loud shouts of the sheriff’s voices can be heard calling out names and prison numbers. As each name is called, prisoners move through the tightly packed cell to finally reach the front to be handcuffed and escorted to face court proceedings.
The agents of this modern economic slave trade; all patiently wait for the hue-man assembly line of prisoners to begin to fill up the courtrooms throughout the CJC building.
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