Being Cambodian in Prison

In Massachusetts, Cambodian men are the highest population of Asians that are incarcerated. However, we are still a very small group compared to African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. We have facilities that hold no Asians at all, some may hold 1 Asian out of 1000 inmates, others hold 20 or less and some 50 or more.

I was once held for two years at a facility where I was the only Cambodian out of about 1000 inmates. As you know, jail and prisons are racially divided. Your first day of prison (God forbid you do go to prison), you are greeted by your race. They provide you with the necessities you need to get by: hygiene, food, and 3-way phone calls to reach your family.

My two years at a county jail in Boston, Massachusetts, I was on my own. I went weeks without hygiene or food from the commissary. Often going to sleep hungry. I could not get in contact with family due to the poor phone system.

Majority of the people did not even know or heard of Cambodians. They usually thought all Asian people are Chinese. Constantly, I dealt with racial issues from African Americans. They would call me chink or gook. Although those words are racist for Chinese and Vietnamese, I knew it was to offend me, My response was to fight.

After my fights, I would sit in my cell and ask myself, "why are the same people who dealt with racial discrimination, being hateful towards us?". Cambodian gangs form because of racism from other minority groups. Nothing good comes out of it. I hated the feeling of being hated. I’ve been fighting racism since I was a kid. As an adult, I was tired of fighting.

Dealing with racism made me miss my family and friends. I would reminisce about my visit to Cambodia, how it felt good to longer be a minority. When I was there, I'd say to myself "this is probably how white people feel in America".

But racism in jail did not break me. I always returned to general population and respect for me grew. I just felt alone.

When I was sent to Souza Baranowski, a maximum state prison, there was a lot more Cambodians. Many that I knew from Lynn and Lowell, Massachusetts. It did not matter if you we're a Blood, Crip or Tiny Rascal, as long you are Cambodian or Asian, we’re all united. Asian communities across Massachusetts state prison called themselves the "Southeast Asian Empire". 
The goal was to protect one another. I did not chose the label, but I believed in the unity.

In 2013, a prison riot occurred, it was labeled "The Asian Riot". Cambodians with knives attacked Boston gang members on several units, in the yard and chow hall. Months later, Cambodians stabbed a correction officer in the throat during Cambodian New Year. Just recently, Cambodian inmates were involved in a serious stabbing and several incidents against inmates and officers. Being the most violent in prison boost respect levels. But truth to the matter is, all of us hate the violence.

The violence usually stems from racism, ignorance and prison politics. If you don't react negatively, it becomes a sign of weakness and you become a target. A sad reality of prison.

I am now at a medium security facility, where again I am the only Cambodian. I do not deal with the same issues as before. Though many people are fascinated by how I talk or carry myself. People stereotype Asians to be a certain way. When they meet a Cambodian, I guess we shut down those stereotypes. At times, I do wish I had people to relate and reminisce with about my culture. Better yet, I wish to be free.