I am pleased to announce that Marc & Myself (Andy) have made it safely out of Death Row with only our thoughts of what we preempted left behind!

Marc and I were invited by Desoto Police and Jail service to go with them on the 24th down to Huntsville Jail, after getting in at 0030hrs the night before and packing our things up (As we were changing host families the net day) we woke at 4am to begin the trip from Sherman to Desoto! Jo Henderson very kindly drove us down and gave us breakfast on route..at 0530hrs! We arrived at Desoto Police Deptartment at 0810hrs and began our long day down to Huntsville! We stopped off at Dallas County Prison where there are over 6000 prisoners held on site with a further 2000 held down the road (And no i`ve not added in an extra 0 for those reading back in England from work!) An amazing experience of sight, sound and smell that took me straight back home! I`m not sure all the comments being shouted were as compliemntary as others although many did think that we were from the State inspections team and offered us some constructive critisim! 

We again headed on down to Huntsville Walls unit and arried at approximately 1430hrs! I could not describe to you the sense of smallness that ran through my body! The 80ft high razor topped walls were towering over us with the armed outlook posts on all spurs.  We handed over our ID`s and i almost took in a breath of fresh air, just incase this whole trip was just a way of getting me locked up for bad jokes without a fight!

The emense brass bars entry systems was nothing more than an updated version of an old time movie however the smile from the gate lady seemed warm which held relax me somewhat! We were taken along a short corridor & in to a 10 bedded empty unit "So this is Death Row!" said Sargent Rimorez "This is where He / She spends their last day, unless they`re playing around then its next door!" (We are shown a bare cell) He explained the routine of the day, Cheese Burger and Fries being the most common choice of final meal, then opend a door to a cloth and strap down covered table in the shape of a cross with a microphone and cctv camera above it, and two viewing rooms on the side.  Sgt Rimorez explained the process and we stood and listened to his every word!

After a short while we left and saw the original prison building then walked round to see the Prison workshop.  During my visis i had made several comments on how different our two systems were in the outlook on rehabilitation, nothing could of changed my mind more until we entered the "Workshop". The first man i spoke to was a life sentence prisoner who had been incarcerated for over 30years who was showing me some of the work he had learnt to do over this period! Some of the most amazing leather work you will ever see (Please ask to see my belt when i return if it has arrived yet) we walked up and down looking at pieces of Art which could easily sell for $1000`s and spoke to Micheal, Micheal was polishing up his key holders ready for shipping to New York Police Department Officers, when i asked "So do you get any form of pay for this work or is it just to keep you busy" he replied `Well Sir, last year i made $27`000 after tax!

On our way home we stopped at the Prison Museum and saw "Old Sparky!" then drove the long, long way home to Richardson! Our driver & host for the day Brett Evans from the Desoto Jail couldn`t of been more helpful on and before the day and i must quickly thank Assistant Police Cheif Waynne Nero for allowing Brett the day off to take us down and feed us all day. 

This one day has made my whole trip amazing! The trip has opened my eyes to new thought processes and understandings and i Thank the Hosting Families, the Co-Ordinators and orginisers of the day for making it happen!

Sorry its so long but until you`ve been, you could never understand the overwelmingness of "The Walls Unit, Huntsville!"

Andy