Tristan, a member of our organization, had the opportunity to interview Bailey*, a former inmate of Rikers Island in New York City. Here is a condensed transcript of their phone interview: 

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How long were you incarcerated at Rikers Island?

For four and a half months. I was originally sentenced, illegally, for two years. My first-time offense was a non-violent crime.

What were you passionate about before being incarcerated?

Making films and contributing to my local community.

What skills do you think you developed during your time at Rikers?

Rikers isn’t a place where you develop skills exactly, but I learned a lot about strength and resilience while there.

What’s something you wished people on the outside would want to know about being incarcerated?

How understaffed, corrupt, and dangerous Rikers is. 12 people have died there this year alone. A few while I was there, even. It’s full of overcrowded dorms with all kinds of criminals with mental health issues that don’t get the help they need. They are getting screwed over by the system. Not everyone, but a lot of people who are there.

How did you prefer to connect with people on the outside?

Inside Rikers everyone and everything is unpredictable. Nobody is your friend and you are never safe. In the real world it isn’t like this. You develop friendships over time, empathy, and emotions. Everything that makes us human.

What’s something you wish other people would understand about you?

That I am mentally ill. I see the world through a different lens. I talk a lot, think a lot, too much even. I can be narcissistic, but despite my flaws it all comes from a well-intended place. I consider myself to be an underdog.