The Uncut Version of Prison by Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson's life narrative is marked by significant challenges and transformative experiences. Expelled from his home at the age of 13, he encountered issues with substance abuse and minor criminal activities. His trajectory led him to 18 years of incarceration within California’s penal system, an experience that profoundly illuminated both personal shortcomings and systemic flaws within the justice framework. During his time in maximum security prisons, Johnson demonstrated resilience and commitment to self-improvement by obtaining his GED, two Associate of Arts degrees, and two Associate of Arts for Transfer degrees. Upon his release, he pursued higher education full-time at California State University, San …show more content…
He is dedicated to leveraging his expertise and insights to advocate for reform and provide support to individuals adversely impacted by the justice system. In his lecture, Johnson describes in detail the circumstances one is met with when entering and assimilating into prison. As a new inmate, Johnson recalls being asked to “put in work” to become comfortably assimilated, which indicates committing an assault, which adds 16 years to his sentence. Following this, Johnson became familiar with practices for creating alcohol from sugar and fruit. Unsurprisingly, he was met with no positive influences, prison only served to teach him how to create weapons and do drugs. The importance of racial segregation has historical significance within the prison, as each race has fought with their own blood for their respective spaces. Furthermore he explains the politics between inmates and cops; if an inmate is killed by a cop, a cop then must be killed in return. Inmates organize to find an inmate with a life sentence to carry out the duty. Race carries significant importance within the prison system. If an inmate decides to retreat during a riot due to tiredness or anything