Freedom means to be held in the arms of your boyfriend. Feeling loved. Someone caring. Having happiness. Giving happiness. Being able to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and choosing what one wants to do on that day.

Jail is control - reframing. Jail is survival. Putting up walls. Trying not to let feelings show. Can’t express your feelings. Can’t find out who you really are. When you know, but you can’t… Struggling. Existing. Existing only to be alive. Going nowhere fast.

Freedom is something you take for granted, and something so small that can make you feel good. Small things.

Linda Boychuck
Inmate
Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women

Update: So far I’ve not been able to learn anything current about Linda.