BY SIMONE J. SMITH I knew for some reason that I was going to be transferred to the prison that day. It was weird. I woke...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH It was hard to sleep that night. I had sat on the floor staring at the gate for the rest of that...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH “It’s not like I had any control before, but I sure liked to think so.” I must have fallen asleep sitting up...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH “I didn’t know at the time, but this man, this officer would become my guardian angel during my time in the Panamanian...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH When I got out of my first cold shower, the girls were sitting there quietly talking with each other. As I sat...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH “Hola” Really Simone! That is the only thing you could think of to say right now? I was nervous. Okay! I am...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH I heard the sound of the laughter outside the gate. For a moment, I had forgotten where I was, but upon opening...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH “Hey mom,” I said, my voice finally cracking. “I need your help.” In this moment, I changed the course of my parent’s...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH I closed my eyes, and forced myself to calm down. The officers were chatting away beside me. Their voices droned, and eventually...
BY SIMONE J. SMITH “I wish I could understand what they are saying.” As I sat there, I heard people behind the desk talking. The officer...
