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Prisons, an integral part of society, generally are not familiar to
most people. Length of sentence and treatment by others in the
prisons vary widely. The immediate "Man-in-charge" of each prison
unit is the warden, who has some flexibility within TDCJ
guidelines. Warden Dr. Keith Price gained a reputation for turning
around some chaotic prison units. He knows from experience that at
best, prisons are very difficult places for people, whether they
are behind the bars or in front of them. "People that wind up in
prison, inmates, generally are society's rejects," Price said.
"They've been unable to do the things other people do to make life
a success, whether it's because of an abusive parent, addiction to
some substance, stupidity, being unable to read or write, they've
been failures and have chosen alternate means, that is crime."
Price also knows officers have a challenging life, "The
correctional officer, has to deal with people so maladjusted that
society says they can't live amongst them anymore. It's conflict
day after day, hour after hour and it really takes a toll, from
broken marriages to financial problems to substance abuse. It's
continual." The Texas Prison System was named "one of the best" in
the country by a leading penology expert. However, shortly after
that, a Federal Judge took control of the entire Texas Department
of Corrections for "unconstitutional treatment" of inmates. TDC
denied and resisted many of the reforms the judge ordered. The
result was chaos. Too few guards, rampant gangs, gang wars and
overcrowding were the norm for several years. The court kept
control 20 years and finally the prison system adapted to the new
(and constitutional) ways of operating. At the same time Texas
prison population doubled, and more than doubled, again. During
that time, 19-year-old Rickie Smith began a 10-year sentence in TDC
on a drug charge. He joined the gang wars, in the Aryan Brotherhood
and then made his own personal war with prison officers. He could
have been released in a few short years, but, in 3 separate trials
juries added 3 ninety-nine-year sentences for him to serve. Trial
transcripts have many references in testimonies to how dangerous
Rickie Smith is--even calling him "the most violent inmate" in TDC.
REAL PRISON / REAL FREEDOM is a biography of Rickie Smith and how
his life intersects with the woes of the prison system and with
Warden Keith Price. Naturally, he wanted out, knowing that
realistically it will never happen. Officials told him he'll never
get out. Then came the impossible that shocked everyone, especially
Rickie.
Rickie Smith's crimes got him 10 years in Texas Prisons. He joined
Aryan Brotherhood and gang wars, then added war with guards. He
became known as "the most violent man in the prisons" and juries
added 3 ninety-nine-year sentences. Rage and hatred controlled his
life--more than prison. Then what seemed impossible shocked
everyone, most of all Rickie.
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