Fulfilling the Image that Society Creates for Us: A Conversation between Brothers on Criminal Justice Reform Deeneaus Polk and Desmond Polk
Last year, I signed up for a course on mass incarcer-
Farms—one of the most dangerous prisons in the
ation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
United States, dating back to its founding in 1905
at Harvard University. I was curious about how a
as a prison that perpetuated convict leasing at an
policy school would navigate the complex layers of
extraordinary scale.
the carceral system within the United States. If I’m
When you read stories about people who have
being honest though, I really took the course because
been incarcerated, it is easy to forget the person behind
I hoped to better understand the factors that led to
the sentence. Yet, they are so much more. They are
my brother Desmond’s incarceration. I hoped to gain
siblings, parents, children, and community members.
tools to help him not go back. Right before the course
In the following conversation, Desmond and I hope
began, my brother found himself in prison again,
to shine a light on the voices of individuals who have
and I could not help but feel that I had failed him.
interacted with the carceral system, both to better
My momma raised three children on her own in
understand their experiences and learn strategies on
Pascagoula, Mississippi, a blue-collar community that
how to improve the system as policymakers.
saw us mired in low-income conditions. As the oldest, I felt responsible for and wanted to protect my brother and sister from the environment, especially because my momma had to work multiple jobs to raise us. As a
“Society made an image of me that I tried to complete.”
result of her dedication to our upbringing, my siblings
Desmond, can you introduce yourself—who you
and I all graduated from college. In fact, Desmond
are, how you grew up, and who I am to you?
and I graduated from the same community college, on the same night, sitting side by side.
My name is Desmond Darnell Polk. I grew up in Pascagoula, basically the Coast. Pascagoula, Moss
Desmond and I always had a deep connection
Point, Gautier. You, who are giving me the interview,
growing up until I moved to Germany, permanently
are my brother: Deeneaus Polk. To tell you a little about
altering our brotherly bond. At the age of 16, I found
myself, I’m 32 years old. I’ve been to prison twice, but I
myself escaping to a brand-new world, gaining ex-
am a certified machinist and welder. I love to learn. I
periences that allowed me to be where I am today. I
grew up in the streets, so, that’s basically what I know.
felt as if I left my siblings behind, however, and have struggled with what feels like a dereliction of duty.
Desmond, you have spent time at two different
This was especially the case with Desmond. It all came
correctional facilities, Parchman and Central
to a head not long after my time abroad. Desmond
Mississippi Correctional Facility. Can you describe
began to get into trouble, eventually leading to time
what life was like for you in prison?
spent in Mississippi State Penitentiary, or Parchman
Yes, I can. It’s different. Like you have to become
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