DEATH RATES IN AMERICAN PRISONS
THE SKINNY ON DYING WHILE INCARCERATED
An inmate at Winn Correctional Center, in Louisiana, which until recently was run by the Corrections Corporation of America.
Sign Outside the Infamous 193-Year-Old Prison Sing-Sing
About a dozen inmates die each day, according to the Justice Department. 4,400 jail and prison inmates die each year… a tally not including executions which are infrequent, numbering in the dozens each year and adding up to just a fraction of all other inmate deaths).
Most deaths occur in state prisons, where more than 3,300 died in 2012 alone. The Bureau of Justice Statistics outline that State prisons across the country have the largest populations, accounting for half of all inmates placed in custody each year.
In local jails, about a thousand more inmates die annually, however… the causes of deaths were very different from those cited in state prisons. Suicide is reported to be the leading cause of death for inmates in local jails, accounting for a third of all deaths. Heart disease is the second-leading cause of death. Horrible prison food often found to contan mice droppings, roaches and bacteria cause a lot of illness and deaths. Perhaps because of the soy-rich menu, cancer is the leading cause of death. Heart disease and other illnesses are listed as the cause in most other deaths.
New York State’s Sing-Sing Penitentiary
California’s 166-year old San Quentin State Prison
Deaths in local jails tend to occur relatively quickly after the inmates arrive. About one in three suicides takes place within a week of the inmate’s arrival; more than half of these deaths occur the first month. More than 70-percent of inmates who died in local jails were not convicted at the time of death. Prisoners are much more likely to die in jail than to escape.
So, why does this happen? In 2010, the National Institute of Corrections released a report on jail suicides, outlining possible explanations for the problem. In short, they said, jails tended to exacerbate suicidal behavior: Experts theorize that two causes for jail suicide exist: (1) jail environments are conducive to suicidal behavior and (2) the inmate is facing a crisis situation. From the inmate’s perspective, certain features of the jail environment enhance suicidal behavior: fear of the unknown, distrust of an authoritarian environment, perceived lack of control over the future, isolation from family and significant others, shame of incarceration, and perceived dehumanizing aspects of incarceration. In addition, certain factors are prevalent among inmates facing a crisis situation that could predispose them to suicide: recent excessive drinking and/or drug use, recent loss of stabilizing resources, severe guilt or shame over the alleged offense, current mental illness, prior history of suicidal behavior, and an approaching court date. In addition, some iprisoners simply are (or become) ill equipped to handle the common stresses of confinement.
A Convict locked inside a 6X9 foot cell. He is writing on a see-through tpewiter which lays upon his steel bed. Some men languish away for decades in this walk-in-closet sized prison cell. Studies have shown that the Unites State’s wide use of solitary confinement causes severe mental damage.
Stateville Penitentiary is a maximum security state prison for men located in Crest Hill, Illinois, not far from the city of Chicago. It is part of the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Bland had attempted suicide before, confusion that a Waller County assistant district attorney said likely explained the decision not to place her on suicide watch. The World Health Organization says that communication among different staff members is crucial, adding that additional screening and observation are needed.
Thousands of people are dying behind bars each year as the prison population has exploded over the last few decades.
There are 2.2 million people incarcerated in America’s jails and prisons, a number that is four times the population in 1980. Harsh sentences of the 1980s and 1990s helped foster a situation where an increasingly large number of inmates are older than 50, and state health-care spending on inmates has skyrocketed. The federal prison population has similarly climbed. In state prisons, a little more than half of inmates were sentenced for violent crimes; one in five is there for property crimes like burglary, while about one in six is being held for drug crimes.
All told, one of every 108 adults in the United States was incarcerated in a prison or jail in 2012, according to the Justice Department. That same year, one in 50 adults were on probation or parole.
Monsters In The Woods
Friends, Fans and everyone on the world-wide web. After more than five years recuperating from all my surgeries, my new novel, Monsters in the Woods will be released in Hardcover, Paperback and E-book. Right now, exclusively on Amazon for the next 90-days, you can pre-order your e-copy for just $3.99. On June 19th, the paperback and hardcover will be available at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon and hundreds of other retailers.
Monsters tells of creatures who stalk the darknesss and snatch the flesh from the living. This is an unrelenting and ferocious tale of a reptilian race of beings attempting to annihilate humanity. A chilling novel for fans of adult Contemporary Horror, Y.A. SCI-FY, Fantasy or General Fiction, this EPIC story is Harry Potter meets Swamp Thing, yet is an entirely original and facinating tale. It’s for those with enormous imaginations of a wonderful frightfest! That being said, this tale also has roots in reality. It sprouts from real reports of green and scaly creatures documented throughout humanity’s historical records.
Not long ago, I happened across a Hopi Legend that warned of reptilian beings said to be living in a series of tunnels and caves hundreds of feet under the Nevada and
Arizona deserts. Many argue it’s the stuff of science fiction. But, when I first heard of the lizard people and their existence during my annual pilgrimage to the UFO Congress’ Annual Symposium in the state of Arizona, I had to wonder… could there really be something to this tale? With at least 200 billion galaxies in space (and possibly even more), we’re very likely talking about a Universe filled with trillions of planets in billions of universes! Couldn’t there be melevolent alien life out there somewhere?
And, If so, why is it so fundamentally insane to suppose they’ve come to Earth to live among Earthlings? Maybe they’re planning to wipe us out. A true story reported In 1955 Indiana tells of an encounter with something residents called The Green Clawed Beast. The story went… that two friends were swimming in the Ohio River and unexpectantly came upon a creature that pulled one of the girls underwater. With her friend Miss Darwin Johnson looking on, she struggled back to the surface kicking and thrashing for dear life. Claiming to have escaped a reptilian’s green hairy claw, sure enough… when back on land, everyone noticed a jade-colored hand-print on her leg that couldn’t be washed off for days, but the story didn’t end there. Within days, both girls were visited by peculiar looking men dressed in black suits who ordered them to renounce any and all knowledge of the incident!
Monsters in the Woods is a novel about… what if? It follows a group of parentless young boys from a Children’s Home who come into contact with creatures who appear through a wormhole in the woods behind their institution. With Humanity on the edge of extinction, there is only one special and reincarnated boy alive on Earth who can save the Universe from being destroyed by the beasts. With world governments under attack and most of the world’s major cities falling to the monsters, the President of the United States must work with all of humanity to stave off the beings until prophesy is revealed.
DESTINY COVER REVEAL!
It is February 4th and I am very excited to announce that my graphic designer in London Jeffrey Kosh has come up with a perfect cover in association with myself which I think captures my life growing up on the streets and climbing out of the gutter to become successful… take a look-see … this is what the cover and graphic art will look like whenever it gets released!
FORGIVENESS
Sometimes we all just need a second chance. In Justin Bieber’s 2015 hit, SORRY, the heartthrob asks his fans for another shot, to forgive his wreckless ways. I can related, and I just wanted to share this with you all. Updated by RJ – January 27th 2018
You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty
You know I try but I don’t do too well with apologies
I hope I don’t run out of time, could someone call a referee?
Cause I just need one more shot at forgiveness
I know you know that I made those mistakes maybe once or twice
By once or twice I mean maybe a couple a hundred times
So let me, oh let me redeem, oh redeem, oh myself tonight
Cause I just need one more shot at second chances
Yeah, is it too late now to say sorry?
Cause I’m missing more than just your body
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?
I’m sorry, yeah
Sorry, yeah
Sorry
Yeah I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?
I’ll take every single piece of the blame if you want me to
But you know that there is no innocent one in this game for two
I’ll go, I’ll go and then you go, you go out and spill the truth
Can we both say the words and forget this?
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Cause I’m missing more than just your body
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?
I’m not just trying to get you back on me
Cause I’m missing more than just your body
Is it too late now to say sorry?
Yeah I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?
I’m sorry, yeah
Sorry, oh
Sorry
Yeah I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?
I’m sorry, yeah
Sorry, oh
Sorry
Yeah I know that I let you down
Is it too late to say I’m sorry now?
A SANTA CLAUS KILLER CRITIC REVIEW
The Santa Claus Killer
A Book Review
Updated on January 20th 2018, by Storyteller Entertainment, LLC
by RJ Smith
Publisher: Storyteller Entertainment, LLC
ISBN: 9780989675321
(May 15, 2013)
Hardcover: $35.00
Paperback: $12.86
eBook $3.99
Review by Kat Yares
This book is unlike any other serial killer fiction I’ve read. It in no way takes itself seriously and that is superbly refreshing if you are like me and appreciate a bit of comedic relief as you read. Mr. Smith introduces one of the most chaotic, psychotic serial killers I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. This guy is nuts and because of his craziness, I actually had some sympathy for him.
The Santa Claus Killer ( a Santa that kills other Santas) is a new take on an old theme, and yet it works and works well. As the reader follows along in the killer’s mind, we see inspiration from Son of Sam and from Ed Gein as well as lesser bits of other well known serial killers in real life. As the story plays out, you have to wonder what motivates this guy (besides the voices in his head) and it is mind blowing when you reach the end and discover how it all began.
For the policemen and the FBI task force assigned to find this guy, he always manages to stay one step ahead while continuing his rampage of murdering Santas and other people along the way. As with all police departments and FBI units, there is some fumbling and bumbling along the way and many secrets to be unfolded and discovered.
Written in a truly unique style that lies somewhere between a screenplay, a novel and a picture-less comic book, Mr. Smith throws new twists and turns at you on almost every page. He also paints a picture of New York City at Christmas time that I hope to never see.
With action of some sort on every page, you also get to enjoy a number of pop culture and current events that play into the plot driving you to turn to the next page. There is a bit of authorial intervention, but it really doesn’t take anything away from a good read. I understand that this is going to be the first in a series and I, for one, am looking forward to the next book. I like Mr. Smith’s style of storytelling – it’s that fresh and different. And the next time I see a Santa – I do believe I will shutter and find a way out of the room.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
I have finally returned to my helm in the studio. I am almost back! I’m NOT writing a chapter of the manuscript or a SPEC page a day like before the biking accident you all know about, but I am writing a few chapters/scenes a week.
Completed in 2012 – The Santa Claus Killer: Available at B&N, Books-A-Million, Amazon and most bookstores worldwide. You can pick up your copy in Hardcover or paperback or download the audio-book or e-book.
Completed in 2013 – Cataclysm: Available at B&N, Amazon, Books-A-Milion and most bookstores around the world, you can pick up your copy in Hardcover & paperback or download the E-book.
Four year accident recovery….
Completed in 2017: My four year struggle to research, storyboard and write my 450-page EPIC, Monsters in the Woods… currently being shopped by my NYC and UK literary agents.
2019 Works in progress: My 4th novel, a 500 page Horror novel.. Beach Bodies, book #2 of The FBI Serial Killer Task Force.
2020 Planned: Adapting for film… my Emmy Swag intellectual property, The Santa Claus Killer.
On the board for 2019: Working Titles: Destiny or Survivor. This is my 5th book and 400-page biography and the much anticipated adaptation from the screenplay of the same name, DESTINY. This book tells the tale of surviving abandonment by the xharacter’s mother
SUPER STAR
Hey guys, I am sitting here in my study, it’s 29 degrees out my window in Florida. Yes you read that right. Now, as a former Long Islander and Manhattanite, I can tell you I loved growing up in the city… the fall leaves turning colors, pumpkins and Halloween, then the chill of December, and maybe snow on Christmas day. It’s the stuff of dreams and memories… we all have our own imaginary past.
It’s January 18th, 2018 and I am sitting at my desk working on the manuscript for Beach Bodies Book #2 of The FBI Serial Killer Task Force.
Now, the writing has been slow because I have to stand up every hour in order to give my spine a chance to relax. So, instead of doing a chapter a day like before the accident, it’s more like a chapter a month now.
My new fav artist is Harry Styles, and in particular his mega hit Sign of the Times. Take a listen below and you’ll understand.
When the music filters thorugh my ears, I am instantly in another place, most often in the location where the script takes place…. my characters weaving their issues through the manuscript. It’s almost like I am no longer in my body anymore, soaring high above my scene, following my characters.
As to what I listen to, I used to like Justin Bieber, and I was a fan of his Christmas album, the same for Eminem, Bon Jovi, Van Halen and The Rolliing Stones. But after a while, the soul needs to be fed something else.
It all depends on the day, what my mood is like and how much pain I’m in. But when I write, music is always in my ears, it helps to black out my surroundings. The ghouls and skulls in my study becon me, like an old friend calling from out of nowhere. Somtimes I listen and often they give me book ideas. Now, I know that is hard to believe, but I guess it’s a gift you’d have to have. It’s kinda like those kids who are born and know how to play the piano or another instrument without learning.
It’s a gift, freely given by our higher power.
With that in mind, I suppose I should update you all on the status of Monsters in the Woods which was supposed to be published in 2015… but the accident and injuries ceased the timeline. Now recovered from the ten surgeries I needed to have in order to correct the damage, I am back working at my career and hoping to somehow regain the tempo and excitement generated by The Santa Claus Killer. And, yes, I often wonder what would have been had I not gotten hurt and went out on the scheduled Santa Claus Tour.
But maybe’s and excuses never got anyone anywhere. All I can do is move forward and try my best.
So, Monsters in the Woods has NOT been published and is now a trunk book AND unfortunately a release date is unknown right now. The manuscript is indeed ready, my fourth novel, but the advertising and branding cannot be done because of all the money my company lost because of the injuries and four years of rehab.
Keep checking back, things may change in the future, and I’ll keep you informed.
Posted by the author on January 19th, 2018
PICTURE OF THE MONTH – The Attic
The Attic (2012)
88 minutes
Starring a young Elisabeth Moss. About a month after Emma Callan and her family move into their seemingly picture perfect Victorian home, Emma starts to have ghastly visions of a girl who appears to be her twin but is pure evil. Starring Elizabeth Moss, Catherine Mary Stewart, Jason Lewis and John Savage.
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