NEWBERRY — Imagine losing your freedom because of something you and your “friends” got in trouble for. You go from being able to wear, eat and do anything you want to living behind prison walls and having your day planned out for you.
This life includes no freedom or privacy, a loss of choice and contact with friends and family. Family and friends are able to visit on Saturdays, but most people don’t get visitors because families don’t want anything to do with them.
The Insiders, sponsored by the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Communities in Schools, is an initiative that allows teens from the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia to share their stories and what a life of no freedom or privacy is like behind bars.
The group was in Newberry last week.
Andy Broughton spoke about three things you can get in trouble for, including not going to school, listening to parents and running away from home.
“If you don’t go to school, you can get in trouble. If you don’t listen to your parents, you can get in trouble. If needed, a judge can get involved and you’re also putting yourself in danger,” he said.
Most juveniles come in thinking they can do what they want but they find out upon arriving that their freedom is essentially gone.
Latavish, 16, knows what it’s like to lose his freedom.
Latavish is currently serving time in prison. He grew up with no father figure in his life and began hanging out with people that were his so-called “friends.” He said he began smoking, acting out, was kicked out of school multiple times and was introduced to liquor at a young age.
“We stick together, we ride together. That’s what I thought,” said Latavish.
Latavish said his sister passed away while he was in prison and while he was able to attend her funeral, he had to go in shackles and handcuffs.
Since Latavish has been sentenced, he has been committed to turning his life around. He is currently working on getting his GED and when his sentence is up, he hopes to go to the military.
“You can be famous in a positive or negative way. These so-called “friends” won’t be there for you,” he said. “We wake up at 5 a.m., have school at 7 a.m. and get out at 3 p.m. The only thing on TV is the news and weather.”
Latavish was the only speaker who addressed the crowd.
