Columbia: A Journey Through a Maximum-Security Prison to Save Young Lives
In Columbia, South Carolina, a group of 21 troubled teenagers took an eye-opening trip that none of them would soon forget. These boys, aged between 14 and 17, gathered on a sweltering August day in hopes of learning a lesson about the consequences of their choices. Their destination? The infamous Kirkland Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison.
As they arrived, a heavy atmosphere filled with uncertainty and anxiety loomed over them. This wasn’t a school field trip by any means. Instead, these boys had been sent there by the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice due to issues related to drug and alcohol abuse. Among them stood a boy named Jeff, who sadly shared his heartbreaking story: “My daddy died, and my mama’s on drugs.” It was moments like these that solidified the importance of the program they were about to experience.
Reluctant Lessons from Inmates
The program, cleverly named Project Eye Opener, was designed to convey the harsh reality of life behind bars—and it did just that. With the guidance of Willie Davis, who oversees seven adult prisons in the state, the youths were introduced to a more sobering side of life that none of them wanted to envision for themselves. Each boy was ushered into a large room filled with the sounds of concrete and despair.
Three long-time inmates, clad in their striking orange prison uniforms, shared their stories of regret and sorrow. “I’ve been in prison 27 years,” one inmate shared solemnly. “That’s longer than any of you have been alive. I ain’t seen any of my grandkids, but I’ve seen a lot of men come in here. They all tough at first. They end up cryin’.” It was a stark reminder that behind those bars, tough exteriors often belied broken spirits.
A Reality Check
The messages these inmates conveyed were direct and unfiltered. “When you come in here, you lose everything you value,” cautioned another prisoner. “All your nice clothes and video games are gone. Trust me, you ain’t ready for it.” The stark reality of the prison experience quickly involved discussions of not just physical loss but emotional pain as well. One inmate recalled a heartbreaking phone call with his granddaughter, who innocently asked when he would come home. It was stories like this that made the atmosphere thick with emotion.
While a few of the boys attempted to appear indifferent—some even feigned sleep—most listened intently. These visceral tales sometimes stung but also served to lay bare the inevitable choices they were facing.
A Hopeful Vision
Willie Davis had started Project Eye Opener out of sheer determination to make a difference. He took it upon himself to help impress upon these at-risk youths the significance of steering their lives away from a potential life behind bars. “It’s not part of my job description, and I don’t get paid for it,” Davis said. “But I’m hoping we can reach them before they commit more serious crimes.”
Davis, who has a wealth of experience in the prison system, believes many of these young people find themselves caught in a cycle of circumstances largely influenced by their upbringing. He pointed out, “If they don’t have a good family life at home, they’re going to find it on the streets.”
Confronting the Harsh Realities of Gangs
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott issued a troubling overview of gang activity in the area, describing gangs as organized and shrewd, actively recruiting young boys who crave a sense of family. “We’re losing a generation of young people to gangs,” Lott warned, indicating that this could further complicate the already dire situation for the boys visiting Kirkland.
A Lasting Impact?
As the day drew to a close, and the boys prepared to leave the prison behind, Davis made it a point to connect with them personally. He engaged them in conversation, asking about their aspirations and acknowledging their growth, how proud he was of those who had future plans. For many of these boys, Davis represented a glimmer of hope—a positive male role model they may never have had before.
While Davis can’t save every boy, his heart is set on transforming lives, one by one. As the group departed, the hope remained that perhaps the lessons learned in that stark prison setting would stick, paving the way for brighter futures. The journey through the darkened halls of Kirkland Correctional Institution was a necessary detour in their lives, and just maybe, it would be enough to steer them away from a similar path.
