Its now a few moments shy of 11am and I finally got my voice back. Im sitting on this really uncomfortable, out of character purple couch trying to contain my angst. We are given strict instructions on proper conduct and interactions with the prisoners. My boss looks at me and whispers "Are you still comfortable with taking the lead?" I force another reassuring nod and whispers back "Absolutely..."
The first man I met, was named Joshua. He was from Sierra Leone. He had a very quiet way about him, but a very radiant and confident smile. I found that hard to believe especially because of his current location and just as I thought it, he said to me" I know it may be odd, me smiling so much, but if I allow this place to take my joy, I will have nothing to give back to my family when I am set free....." I swallow hard, and shake his hand, the first ( but not the last ) time I break a rule (No physical contact). After flashing my own set of pearly whites, I am reminded that I only have 30 minutes with each person, so I get right down to the questions.
Turns out Joshua, is a married father of 3 "but only two are living". His first born was killed during a small uprising between waring rebels fighting over drug control for that region. He worked as a crate operator at a ginger exporting factory.But since the exports became fewer and fewer, Josh did not always have work. The ships would come to collect the cargo every 3 months, so every season or so, he was without a job. Making very little money and having very little education ( he did not complete anything higher than the 3rd grade) he felt that there was no way for him to support his family on his very meager income. He pauses for a moment to reflect on his story, then he starts to cry. He speaks of his wife and how they are both devout Christians and wanted biblical names for their children. All boys, their names are Moses, who would have been 8 yrs old this November, Joseph, who is 6yrs old, and Paul, who is 3 yrs old. His wife is named Annette and she has no idea if Joshua is still alive. After a bit of nastalgia, Josh goes right back to the day he decided to become a stow away. It was announced that the factory would be closing for several reasons. Not safe, NO MONEY. And since he had limited work experience and education, a few of his coworkers decided to stow away on the last cargo ship to the Americas. There were 8 of them, none of them had much money between them, very little food, and even fewer of them spoke English. He went home that night and told his wife their plan. After hours and hours of tiresome rebuttals, he finally convinced his wife that this was the best route to go. Having packed a half a gallon of water, a loaf of bread and a box of crackers, he set out for work. Kissing his wife goodbye and holding his two boys he whispered to them, "Daddy loves you so much, and just know that everything I am doing and will do, is all for you. Take care of your mother, hold on to Christs promises, and brush your teeth!!" And without looking back, for a fear he'd change his mind, he set off to chase the misguilded "American Dream".
This was January 19th, 2009. Middle of winter. He was dressed in sandals and overralls with a short sleeve t-shirt underneath. This was his attire he was to arrive in Philadelphia in, during the middle of winter. Eight of them set out on the 29 day journey, hidden under boxes and boxes of ginger. When the boat docked in Philadelphia, only 5 of them crawled out alive. The other 3 froze to death. Upon leaving the ship, he was spotted by a police officer, who mistook him for a "crackhead" (Joshua laughs at the thought). Because of his ratty clothes, or the lack thereof, he is placed under arrest and is questioned in the police car. He was asked question after question, but afraid to answer because he still does not know what it means to be a "crackhead". He looks at the female officer and tells her that he "just got off a boat and wants a job, can she help him get a job so he can send for his family. "
Joshua then tells how he had to show the police officer and the now very angry ship captain ( they are fined heavily if its proven to have housed stowaways) where he was hiding as well as show the bodies of his friends who unfortunately didnt make it. He is taken to a small holding cell in South Philly, then transported the next morning to York County Prison in PA. He says that night, in his holding cell, was the first time he had a meal, shower and warm bed for he had not eaten in 17 days. He was not allowed to call his family, not that they had a phone, but his church had a phone and could get word to his wife. It took another 5 months before he was finally interviewed by an INS officer. They asked him questions to try to determine if his life is/was in danger and if returning him to his home country would bring upon his imminent death.
Today is Tuesday, September 29th, and Joshua is still waiting to hear if he will be granted immediate/emergency asylum. Almost nine months later, incarcerated yet still hopeful. He says, even if he is sent back home, one thing will be better. He has been allowed to take some education and trade courses. He know has the equivalence of a 10th grade education and has greatly improved his English.
When he was getting up to leave, he asks a very small favor. I clear my throat, wipe my eyes and ask what it is he needs. In a very tiny and meager voice he says" Can you call my wife? Please? Tell her I love her. Tell her Im still alive. Tell her.....Im Sorry..." I look to the guard and he shakes his head vehemently " No" Joshua said he knew the answer, but just wanted to try...
As we are leaving, the same guard pulls me to the side and said, we cannot take any information from them, but we can put money into his prison account so he can buy things from the commisary, i.e phone cards to call Africa. Without hesitation, and without question, we all fumble through our wallets and come up with a total of $127.36. We write a small note to Joshua, simply saying, "Tell her yourself..."
I am really overwhelmed from that first interview and am not prepared for the next. so my associate producer takes over. He finishes the next 3 interviews and asks me if I am okay to do the last one. I am.
In walks Peter, a stow away from Ghana. He has a slight limp to his walk and is missing a few teeth. He looks at me with his deep brown eyes and says with very clear diction" Do you know how lucky you are pretty girl? So many are dying for what you have been born with. Treasure the gift of which your parents have given you. And do not look at me with pity, for I am not ashamed. Im not even ashamed to be here, where I am right now talking to you through half glass in this prison. I have no shame at all...."
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