My Escape

Hi everyone,
Yesterday I was writing about Digital Storytelling (DS) and told you briefly about how it is implemented at my university. Today I will do DS, and I am glad to share it with you. The Escape is my personal story about life and a choice I made 35 years ago. Opening this chapter of my life made me reflect on the different choices we make.

You can watch the three minutes DS or read the 268 words text below (or both). It’s produced by me in 2012 and facilitated by the Storycenter, https://www.storycenter.org/

The Escape
I was in my early twenties when I watched The Escape from Alcatraz. Filled with excitement I followed the hero and his fellow inmates through their preparations. Digging through the walls of their cells, with spoons! Making dummies to act as decoys. Constructing a raft out of raincoats. And here I am at Alcatraz. This peaceful island idyllically placed in the San Fransisco Bay. Home to the abandoned prison. The cold water and the dangerous undertows made “The Rock” a suitable place for prisoners, continuously causing trouble at other federal prisons. During 3 decades, fifteen hundred men had served time on “The Rock”. Together with their wardens, considered to be “Iron men”. Crying dark tears. Knowing life was so close, but still unreachable. Visiting Alcatraz opens a chapter of my life. A chapter being closed for more than 30 years. Full of young spirit and a strong believe in human prison politics, I decided to leave my university studies to become a prison officer. I wanted to make a difference. I still remember my family’s and my friends’ reaction; A prison officer! – My path was set. Or was it? I was enrolled in the two year prison officers educational program. Don’t think! Just do your job! After 3 years as a prison officer in maximum-security prisons, I had stopped believing. My illusion about making a difference was no longer present and returning to my university studies felt easy. Opening this chapter of my life makes me wonder; Was it worth it, spending 5 years of my life in prison? On the other hand, - maybe this was my escape?
[268 words].

Img. source/video: @kristihh