According to the "White Paper's" written by Dr.Kirtley Thornton of Brain Based Reform inc. "Philadelphia has six zip code areas that have multiple million dollar blocks". " These blocks are defined as specific single residential blocks where the city spends a million dollars or more to incarcerate individuals that resided on that block."' How could figures like this be true? I am having difficulty comprehending (both morally and cognitively) "million dollar blocks" . How could so many people on one city block be incarcerated? And for this paradigm to not be an anomaly, for there to be six zip codes with multiple blocks! What does this look like in the "Philadelphia's" all across this Country? What truly, is the residual impact of this targeted generational imprisonment? As I look around the prison block on which I am currently housed (T-block) all over, I see evidence of this gut wrenching systemic phenomenon. Men in there 80's who have been incarcerated for 3, 4and 5 decades. Men in there 70's also with decades of incarceration. Men in there 60:s, 50's, 40's, 30's, 20',s and their teens. All traumatically cemented in the era in which they were incarcerated. "Arrested Development ", lingo, style, thought process, the division of eras here is SO evident, so clear! Starting with myself, my choice of music 90's R&B, the way I chose to view and maneuver inside of prison is based on my early experiences in the late nineties. Now I specifically and intentionally everyday attempt to learn grow and evolve. So I have picked up many things from different people, groups, ages, races, etc. But for the incarcerated whom do not, ( which is the overwhelming majority) total arrested development is a sad site to see. And it is brings clarity to the million dollar blocks. Men and women from (whatever block), arrested in different decades warehoused all across the State of Pennsylvania. Trauma induced internal/external stagnation. Decades of the same thing everyday.

Not experiencing the growth that comes with fatherhood, not learning ALL that encompasses an adult relationship. What lessons are learned when one must balance a check book? The incarcerated are unable to decide what to wear, when to shower, what to eat, who to see and or talk to. Arrested Development is only one foreseeable by-product that the incarcerated are saddled with. And the reason that we all should care and be empathic to this plight is, we are all held to the limitations of any oppressive system. Over 60% of the incarcerated will be returning citizens in the next five years, 700,000 releases Nationwide annually. We must demand better the DOC has had successes concerning rehabilitation. Unfortunately, many of those transformations are in spite of the layered intentional failings of this governmental bureaucracy. There is possibility for the DOC. The focus of purpose however, MUST change.Think about the success rate of the US Armed Forces with lost youths.That model of consistent work on self would allow many women and men to see an example of integrity, honesty, work ethic, civic engagement, many for the first time ever. The forced structure of positive action would engrain within the incarcerated characteristics that many have never been exposed to. As opposed to being run by what Winston Churchill called "the true dregs of society". Again there are exceptions within the DOC (Tammy Ferguson, Deputy Sipple,Tabb Bickle,etc), however they are too far in between the "bad apples" like former deputy Bradley. In the near future SRC (Systemic Reformative Change) is going to unveil specific strategies to demand better from those deemed in charge of incarceration. We will be unveiling the T.I.ER. program (Transformative Initiative for Ending Recidivism). When we do, we will need your support. Sign the upcoming petition, show up to upcoming events, strategically contact representatives, support legislation and bring about awareness with your platforms. Wearethesrc!