Why It Matters

Can you imagine going to prison for something you didn’t do?

I can’t imagine serving time anyway, much less on trumped up charges. And then to find out that I was thrown into that pit by a crooked judge who was taking bribes from a private prison? I just don’t know what I’d do.

Sadly, that scenario isn’t fiction. Pennsylvania judge Mark Ciavarella, Jr. is serving 28 years for accepting a million dollars in bribes from for-profit juvenile detention centers.  We’re not talking about one or two kids, either, but literally thousands, and all for a few dollars. What’s frightening is that Ciavarella is just an example–a dirty judge who was caught, charged, and convicted. How many who haven’t been caught are getting their palms greased by private prison contractors?

Blah blah blah, let’s get to the music:

“The Prisoner,” The Clash.

“The Prisoner,” Tears For Fears.

“Prisoner,” King’s X.

“Prisoner,” The Spiders From Mars.

“Prisoners,” Rain Parade.

“Prisons,” Francoise Hardy.

“Women’s Prison,” Loretta Lynn.

“Christmas In Prison,” John Prine.

There you have it, 8 songs for when you’re doing 5-8. What did I miss? I’m listening.