I have officially been incarcerated for over a month. Time really does fly by in prison. It literally feels like it was only yesterday when my parents dropped me off at USP Lewisburg.
What are the other inmates like
I’ve met some interesting people here. I have noticed one common characteristic that just about every prisoner has in this camp… kindness. The humanity shown by these prisoners is fascinating. Every individual knows that everyone here has lost something. We’ve lost our careers, finances, wives, relationships, freedom… and in some cases, family. People in prison realize this sense of loss, and go out of their way to help each another. It is an unspoken bond that can not be described, it is something you have to experience, to really get a grasp of what I am talking about.
If I take a step backwards, and view my situation from afar, it is actually comical. My good friends are as follows (clearly I will not mention any names for privacy reason):
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Relatively well known lawyer from NYC
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Investment banker from NYC
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Neurologist
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Hotel owner
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Restaurant owner
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Electrician
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Nightclub owner from NYC
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Music DJ
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Older investment banker from NYC
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Pain Medicine Physician
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Telemarketing company owner
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Large business owner from my own home state
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Lastly, many young non-violent drug offenders
Kindness and encouragement
The above list is in no particular order. In terms of the young non-violent drug offenders, there are too many to list. The common theme again is kindness. No matter your background, ethnicity, religion or financial status, everyone helps each other out.
I can eat lunch with a neurologist, and then a few hour later, work out with a drug offender. We do not judge each other. We all have made mistakes, and even if society has not forgiven us, we have forgiven each other.
I’ve seen drug offenders encourage investment bankers to continue pursuing business dreams. I’ve seen doctors comfort drug offenders going through a divorce. I’ve seen drug offenders give food to a neurologist who did not have any money for commissary.
The characters may be eclectic, but the community support is uniform. Many inmates call this mindset being institutionalized, I call it redemption.
Until next time,
Shan Sultan
Shan Sultan worked as a medical doctor for 10 years before receiving a 48-month sentence for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Shan was designated to Lewisburg Camp.
