Creative Writing: Goulburn Correctional Center

It was five o’clock in the morning, still dark and freezing cold. Silence filled the air, the only sounds made were screeching screams and cries for help. The guards walk past every ten minutes to ensure no inmates have escaped or harmed themselves in any way. After being here at Goulburn Correctional Center for just over fifteen years now, I know every rabbit hole, emergency exit and surveillance areas around this place. The key to survival here is; don’t make friends with anyone, don’t look anyone in the eyes and don’t eat the food unless you have to. My first thought every morning when I wake up is my two beautiful twins, James and Vanessa. The last time I saw them was 2002. Even though they were young when I was convicted, they have grown
Where I would be working. Teaching my kids to ride a bike. Holding my daughters hand at her first day of school. Teaching my son how to use his first razor. Instead all I’m left with is a room with four white walls and a bed that’s equivalent to sleeping on the concrete floors. My window consists of a tiny square attached with metal bars which looks out onto freedom less than two hundred meters away. Midday is my favorite time of the day. The time where the sun aligns with my cell window in the summer. For half an hour I get to feel the warmth on me. It’s the only thing that makes me feel normal.
Alarm bells ring “all inmates make your way to the food hall”. This is the worst part of the day, the food is slop and taste like pure chemicals. As I lined up with my tray I noticed a familiar face in the distance. I approached the man and asked
Someone that was once a part of my history and not just here in the prison. As we were allowed twenty minutes a day of outdoor activities, we made our way out for the day. Paul and I used the gym equipment to notice that there were a group of maintenance cars entering the complex. As not a lot of activity goes on around here, Paul and I proceeded to watch.
As the men were entering and exiting the building a thought went passed through my head. What if I were to escape? Not very often is there an opportunity like this one. I looked at Paul and could see his face gazing at the men, thinking what I was thinking. Our eyes met and automatically we could read what each other’s thoughts were.
Tension was high and we tried to act natural “walking back inside”. Instead took a detour to the left, where the maintenance guys had left the automatic gate to close by itself. We began fast pace walking, fast pace walking turned into jogging and then jogging turned into running for our lives. Tension lurked behind me as I tried not to be seen. If I was caught escaping, I could be sentenced a death penalty! My heart was beating so fast I felt like it was going to explode. With only a rulers’ length of space in-between the gate I ran for my life. Passing the gate, there was no looking back. With screams of happiness and fear I looked back to realise Paul didn’t make it