FACTS
The Cheyenne Mountain Re-entry Center was a medium security prison located in Colorado Springs, off of I-25, near South Academy Boulevard. It was the only prison, apart from Camp George West, that was directly within city limits (as far as I know). It had stunning views of the Cheyenne and Pikes Peak Mountain range. At the end of 2019, CMRC was closed and the prisoners were transfer to different facilities throughout Colorado. The reason for its closure is unknown to me.
NOT WHAT IT SEEMS
Its name, “Re-Entry Center”, was, absolutely, misleading. The official purpose of the facility was to prepare prisoners for their re-entry back into the community, by providing tools that would aid in their transition. From my experience, this was not the case, because when I was there the “programing” was no longer in effect. I would agree that there were adequate programs to engage in like; MRT and Customer Service, to name a few. Nevertheless, it was no different from any other prison – apart from lacking an adequate yard, along with consistent access to the outdoors.
The building had three levels, which included two wings per floor. At the top, was 3B (purple) and 3A (red). Each unit required the prisoners to wear corresponding, color coded, wrist-bands through out the entirety of their stay. On the second floor was 2A (yellow) and 2B (green), and on the first floor there was 1A (white with black stripes) and 1B (solid white).
MY NEW HOME
On February 14th 2019, I went straight to 3B (eighty-eight flights of stairs, up or down) which, honestly, was intimidating. The unit had exercise equipment right near it’s entrance. As soon as I walked in, I was confronted with glares from prisoners sizing me up, as they engaged in their cardio exercises. If that wasn’t enough, CMRC is the only facility with eight-to-twelve-man cells. So, upon entering my first prison straight from DRDC, after being sized up, I discovered that I’d be sharing a room with at least seven other individuals.
After waiting for the guard to reveal my assigned room, I picked up my things (a DOC labeled green duffle bag, containing: various papers, state issued clothing and hygiene products) and went over to my new residence and cell. I walked in and was greeted, hesitantly, by my roommate’s. My new bunk-mate, also, offered his hellos: followed by a polite request to see my paperwork. I asked him what he meant and after hearing his explanation, I explained that I had not received these documents yet.
He brushed-it-off as fine, and asked me if I had any “F’d up cases”. I told him no and explained that I was in prison for an attempted aggravated robbery. I came to understand that he was attempting to interrogate whether I had committed any sexually based crimes. After he determined, for himself, that I was okay he moved on. My interactions with the room lighted up after a couple of days and I began to learn about how things worked.
THE REPUTATION
I discovered that the reason CMRC had a reputation for being a gladiator school, was because the prisoners organized Friday-night-fight-nights. I did not witness one of these events, as my room voted not to host. Also, I learned that participation was on a volunteer basis. I was, however, able to hear the event taking place next door to my cell. It was the sound of squeaking shoes, fumbled chairs and thuds vibrating through the floors and walls.
A day at CMRC, from what I witnessed (for the average prisoner), consisted of: gambling, getting drunk or high, fighting, or wooing female staff. There wasn’t a whole lot to-do and the, so-called, yard was a joke. All it was, was an asphalt court yard; surrounded by stone pavers that led up to an abnormally large fence, with razor wire at its summit. There was a weight pile, a few hand-ball courts and two basketball half-courts (on opposite sides of the yard), all crammed together. Inside was a gym but it, also, was confined and usually overcrowded.
A LIGHT IN DARKNESS
The best thing about the facility was the religious services, in my opinion. This was before I truly knew what it meant to be a Christian and I was still seeking answers. Interestingly enough, going to religious services was something most prisoners did (regardless of having opposing beliefs), because it offered a way to get you out of the unit. And at CMRC, there was service almost every day, or night, of the week (with the exception of Fridays).
The first time I attended a service, it was packed with people yelling, “JESUS!”, in sync with one another. I was almost overcome with emotion. I now know that I was experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence, but at the time, I was amazed by the unity. This service was led by a man named Reverend Brown, who was an ex-prisoner and one of the first to fill a bed at CMRC.
All the services included:
- “Lessons for Life”, by Gary Skinner (on Mondays)
- A Pentecostal service (on Tuesdays)
- “The Truth Project” (on Wednesdays)
- Reverend Brown (on Thursday)
- “Tap-Out Ministries” (on Saturday)
- And a Christian church service (on Sunday mornings).
It was such a blessing to have time to worship every day of the week, for the most part. Although I hadn’t read much of the Bible, I did learn what it meant and how to, truly, worship and praise God, at CMRC. This instilled in me a longing to be in the presence of the church, which set the precedence for my routine at all other facilities.
CONCLUSION
I was reclassed to Crowley after serving seven months at CMRC but was expecting to go to a MR – God had other plans. I was overridden to be transferred to CCCF because of a mistake by my case manager (Mrs. Parker), who must not have completely understood the ARs. During the end of my stay at CMRC, groups of auditors would walk around the facility: looking at the prisoners as though we were animals on display at PetSmart. The staff’s behavior became more polite and considerate when these audits took place, which I thought was comical. After I had left, the facility was, subsequently, closed.
All in all, God used CMRC – to set a foundation, in me, of humility and reliance on Him. He showed me the difference between seeking Him, or seeking my own desires. I found such pleasure in praising and giving glory to God. Whereas, the old me would have gotten mixed up in the CMRC prison lifestyle and ended up continuing to be miserable and in even more trouble. The most crucial thing I believe I learned, apart from praising God, was how to surrender my pride.
Check out what the Apostle Paul said,
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sins dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. Since a person having died is freed from sins claims.”
Romans 6:6-7