XV
Several days have passed since the uproar at Ohallowbee, and Donnell returns for his regularly scheduled Thursday-evening session with the boys. As he clears security, he can’t help but notice how quiet the place is. He makes his way into the dayroom where he’s accustomed to seeing the boys, but no one is there.
Mr. Jones, the center’s director, signals him to come over to his office, and once Donnell is inside his office, Mr. Jones wastes no time breaking the news.
“I’m sorry to inform you that over the past weekend we had a riot. During the incident, unfortunately, one of our detainees was gravely injured. It was the first riot I’ve ever experienced in my thirty-plus years in the criminal justice system. I’ve supervised jails and road prisons before, and nothing like this has ever happened under my watchful eye.”
“Oh, wow! So do you have any idea what started it?” Donnell asks.
“Due to federal restrictions and state regulations, I’m not at liberty to discuss the details with you,” Mr. Jones replies. “The reason I called you into my office is to inform you of who got hurt. It was Brandon Bright. I know the two of you formed a bond and were starting to connect with one another.”
“Brandon wasn’t the only person in the group I was trying to reach,” Donnell says. “It is my desire to form a formidable bond with every detainee here at Ohallowbee. Brandon just so happens to be the kind of kid who is passionate about life and wears his heart on his sleeve. This really bums me out because that kid really wants to change. I’d like to speak to his parents or whomever I need to speak with about visiting him,” Donnell says.
“Again, due to federal restrictions and state regulations, I’m not permitted to divulge such information to unauthorized personnel,” repeats Mr. Jones. “Just so you know, Brandon has no family that we are aware of. That’s about all I can say to you about the matter. You might want to talk to our nurse on duty, Mrs. Adams. Maybe she can help you, but you did not hear that from me. Are we clear about what I just said?”
“Yes, crystal clear, Mr. Jones,” Donnell says. “I’ll go and speak with her now. Thanks.”
As he is leaving Mr. Jones’s office, Donnell runs into Officer Bernard Williams in the hallway.
“Good afternoon, Mr. White,” Officer Williams says.
“Hello there, Officer Williams. How’s it going?”
“Considering the recent events, which I’m sure Mr. Jones has just informed you of, everything is just starting to get back to normal around here,” Officer Williams says.
“I understand. I just really hate that Brandon got hurt, or any kid in the program, for that matter,” Donnell states.
“You see, that’s just it,” says Officer Williams. “I believe in karma. I hate that the kid got hurt too, but I think he brought it on himself. Kids like Brandon are awful detainees and make our jobs as correctional officers a living hell. They abuse the system because they know we are restricted in the amount of force we can use on them. Little criminals.”
“Criminals?” Donnell responds. “Are you kidding me? I guess I don’t have to question my reason for being here, because now I see that it is for a divine purpose. What these boys need is to be treated like human beings, especially by the people who are in the position you’re in. Yes! I said humans, because that’s who they are first, not criminals. I can imagine how you talk to them every day after having this conversation with you.”
“Now, you just hold up there, convict, ex-convict, or whatever you go by,” Officer Williams says. “You seem to have a misunderstanding of your role here, buddy! Let’s not forget who has the authority around here. When it comes to criminal justice, I’m the one with the degree and the experience, not you. At best, you’re just a poster boy for what not to be when they grow up. I get paid good money for working here. You’re just a volunteer. Remember that!”
“You know what, Officer Williams? You sound weak and pathetic to me. If what you do is so awesome, then why is there a need for my presence around here?” Donnell asks. “You might think you’re the authority, but real authority you possess not. That’s because you lack meaningful character. If you can name an instance when you have tried to make a difference in someone else’s life other than your own, I’ll shut my mouth and agree with everything you just said, but we both know you can’t, right? Unlike those boys, you can’t belittle me and kill my morale. No, sir, I know your type. You are a bad actor and a bully! In fact, you are the quintessential of what you’ve been calling these boys—a punk! As far as we are concerned, I’ll stay out of your way, and I ask that you do the same for me,” Donnell says.
Mrs. Adams approaches them then and says, “Good evening, gentlemen.”
They both greet her at the same time.
“Hello, Mrs. Adams.”
“Hi there, Mrs. Adams.”
“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything. Whatever conversation you two seemed to be having, you cut it short rather abruptly when you saw me approaching—”
Simultaneously, Donnell and Officer Williams say, “No, no, not at all.”
“Mr. White and I were just discussing how to improve the officer-detainee relations around here. Isn’t that right, Mr. White?” Officer William asks.
With a look of disgust on his face at the hypocrisy of Officer Williams’s statement, Donnell reluctantly agrees and says, “Yeah.” Then he adds, “I do have something to discuss with you, Mrs. Adams, if you have a minute.”
“I sure do, Mr. White. We can talk privately in my office,” Mrs. Adams replies.
“Thanks,” Donnell says. “Give me a second, and I’ll be in to talk to you.”
“OK, see you in a bit.”
Out of the fear of not knowing what Donnell wants to discuss with Mrs. Adams, Officer Williams attempts to recant his previous assertions. He extends his hand in hopes that Donnell will do the same, and states, “Look, Mr. White, we both probably said a little too much to each other, but I believe we can work together and be professionals here.”
The expression on Donnell’s face says it all. He stands there staring Officer Williams straight in the eyes before walking away without a single word.