Welcome to
"A Prisoner's Perspective"

Sponsored by K. Williams and written by Dortell Williams; a California prisoner for the past seventeen years. With this blog Dortell will share some of his commentaries that have been aired on Pacifica Radio's KPFK (90.7 FM uprising.org) and prisonradio.org.

Dortell believes that the public deserves to know what is going on in our prisons, and he is eager to publish a critical perspective on how tax payer's money is being spent (or wasted depending on the revelations); what prisoners do to spend their time and give a more transparent view of life behind the wall. This perspective is more important now than ever.

A succession of state governors have denied the media open access to interview prisoners (except those hand picked), and law enforcement is rarely ever challenged in their one-sided and self-serving reports about how or why prisoners are often the topic of rioting, recidivism or other nefarious activities. And considering the many reports of abuse in other countries here of late - by our government - the public has shown a consistent interest in prisoners here at home. Yet that interest has been largely unfulfilled due to a lack of avenues by which to reach those locked away, but ready to spill the beans.

While incarcerated, Dortell has worked hard to educate himself and others he is confined with along the way. He believes fervently in education. In spite of the inherent restrictions and limitations of prison, he has become a paralegal, freelance writer and social activist from his cell. He aspires to write several books to empower the powerless and share glimpses of prison life with the public. Dortell believes that if the public were aware of the unnecessary waste and abuse common with California prisons, and elsewhere, the people would be screaming for reform.

Dortell focuses on solutions and positive approaches to our multitude of social ills, while he focuses primarily on educating the public about the negative and positive of prison. He also writes on themes ranging from, but not limited to, discrimination of minorities; including women, immigrants and the so-called disabled. In his prison related writings he pushes rehabilitation, higher education and drug intervention as ways to reduce repeat offending and protect the public from being further victimized. He believes our current policies, which have been expensively failing us for the last thirty years, actually increase the likelihood of criminal behavior by exacerbating the desperation of already hopeless and optionless ex-felons. He likes to say: "The ignorant can't teach the ignorant" and that is why he believes educating prisoners while in custody is the most sensible approach there is. He also believes strongly in a democracy that holds elected officials accountable for their misdeeds and failings.

This blog opens the door for the public to put forth questions, extend curiosities and express comments - pro or con - regarding the prisoner perspective.

Dortell will attempt to post new entries bi-weekly, but due to the inconsistent, often interrupted program of prison life, he asks that readers be patient and bear with him if such postings are in anyway derailed.

Readers are also invited to e-mail him (listed below). However, please know that he is not allowed access to the internet at his institution he is assigned to (emails are forwarded to him and are solely for the convenience of the reader). You may also write him directly at:

Dortell Williams
H-45771 / A2-103
P.O. Box 4430
Lancaster, CA 93539
dortellwilliams@yahoo.com

If you would like to contribute to his aspirations or work please note below:

* RESEARCH: People who can periodically download info. from the internet for his writings.

* STAMPS: Any amount under the limit of forty would be an immense help.

* BOOKS: Please write for details.

Thank you for visiting "A Prisoner's Perspective". Dortell looks forward to sharing with you and revealing who's in here, what prisoner's are fed, where we play, sleep, and their surprising hunger to be educated and reformed.