Blog

<h2>My First Day In Solitary Confinement | 84 Square Feet Documentary&nbsp;</h2><figure id="figure-7avumrvmhalshg32pg" data-full-width=""><iframe id="7avumrvmhalshg32pg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e1k-BXifFTE" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/e1k-BXifFTE" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e1k-BXifFTE" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p><br>Today I'm opening up about a deeply personal and intense chapter of my life. A period I spent in solitary confinement from 2010 to 2015. This part of my journey was tough, transformative and eye-opening in ways I can't put into words. That's why I decided to create "84 Square Feet," a documentary series that takes you inside my experiences in the confines of a prison cell.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>Starting With “Why?”</strong></h3><figure id="figure-0aiec4iggmlshg4z0k" class=""><img id="0aiec4iggmlshg4z0k" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/2eS5bDyMp0wyIjrbhhvJ5uGdk2EbqHKnLqSnnzaaa1yzx0Vh6syd07rapUgIdNW8.png" alt="Ely, NV Solitary Confinement" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="A Picture Of My Actual Solitary Confinement Cell In Ely, NV" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/2eS5bDyMp0wyIjrbhhvJ5uGdk2EbqHKnLqSnnzaaa1yzx0Vh6syd07rapUgIdNW8.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">A Picture Of My Actual Solitary Confinement Cell In Ely, NV</figcaption></figure><p>I remember sitting in the 84-square-foot cell, a space amounting roughly to the size of an average parking slot, feeling a myriad of emotions. I was bewildered, scared, and trying to figure out how I would survive this new, harsh reality. So, why did I decide to share this potentially painful part of my life? Well, the reason is twofold.</p><p>Firstly, the overwhelming response to a simple <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/84squarefeet/posts/pfbid02rV1xQKoZgLnQmowzWqZ8PsaJwyUqczxUv1AUP46h29JgJ78mPn59EK17GTh5sAYjl" href="https://www.facebook.com/84squarefeet/posts/pfbid02rV1xQKoZgLnQmowzWqZ8PsaJwyUqczxUv1AUP46h29JgJ78mPn59EK17GTh5sAYjl" title="Facebook Post">Facebook post</a> I made about solitary confinement revealed a deep hunger for understanding this harsh reality, a reality that over<strong> 100,000 inmates worldwide experienc</strong>e. The many questions, comments, and overall interactions were a true testament to the importance of sharing this story.&nbsp;</p><p>Secondly, while I do talk about some grim, even shameful aspects of the prison system specifically solitary confinement, it's not my intention to shame or rebuke anyone. </p><blockquote><p>My primary aim is to share my personal experiences, based on a belief that we can, and must, do better.&nbsp;</p></blockquote><h3><strong>Letters: My Lifeline and Your Window</strong></h3><p>One aspect of this documentary that I am particularly excited to share with you guys are the letters. Letters that I wrote to my mom during my time in solitary confinement, saved by her as a testament to that period. These letters were my lifeline, and now, they offer you an authentic window into my life during that time.&nbsp;</p><figure id="figure-oujrgcqpolshh6eee"><img id="oujrgcqpolshh6eee" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38RB7MDBnwURq2A15PwhZpC4SfcXzYB12Mr3tdFtayjhcGEHPZIKH6nkgzdkeMli.jpg" alt="84 Square Feet Solitary Confinement Documentary" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="One of my first letters from prison describing Solitary Confinement" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38RB7MDBnwURq2A15PwhZpC4SfcXzYB12Mr3tdFtayjhcGEHPZIKH6nkgzdkeMli.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">One of my first letters from prison describing Solitary Confinement</figcaption></figure><p>Through the highs and lows, coping mechanisms, and everyday mundanities, these letters trace the trajectory of my time in solitary confinement. From the tiny adjustments like fashioning a pen barrel out of a toilet paper roll, to the struggle of keeping my spirits alive without any human contact, these letters encapsulate it all vividly.</p><h3><strong>The Reality of Solitary Confinement</strong></h3><p>In this video, join me as I spend my first full day there and recall the harsh realities of solitary from being made to stand in a cold hallway facing the wall for hours to the metallic clanks of prison doors, the grueling bus rides, and the numbing monotony of life in a cell. It's an experience you've probably only heard about or seen in movies but trust me, the reality is a departure from what you might imagine.&nbsp;</p><p>With "<a data-mce-href="http://youtube.com/@84squarefeet" href="http://youtube.com/@84squarefeet" title="YouTube Channel">84 Square Feet,</a>" my hope is that you will find a new perspective, that these experiences will resonate somewhere, and help foster a more compassionate and informed conversation around the criminal justice system and solitary confinement.&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Join Me&nbsp;</strong></h3><p>I invite you to join me on this journey by watching the first episode of<strong> </strong><a data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/e1k-BXifFTE" href="https://youtu.be/e1k-BXifFTE">"84 Square Feet."</a> Every view, share, or comment matters in spreading awareness about the realities of solitary confinement.&nbsp;</p><p>Thank you for your time, your empathy, and your curiosity. I invite you to explore this journey with me, and look forward to hearing your thoughts and perspectives and welcome any questions that you may have.&nbsp;</p><h3>Robert<br><a data-mce-href="http://www.facebook.com/84squarefeet" href="http://www.facebook.com/84squarefeet" title="84 Square Feet Facebook Page">Facebook.com/84squarefeet</a></h3><h3><a data-mce-href="http://youtube.com/@84squarefeet" href="http://youtube.com/@84squarefeet" title="84 Square Feet YouTube Channel">YouTube.com/@84Squarefeet</a></h3>

Solitary Confinement: My First Day

84SquareFeet