Not For Human Consumption – Intro

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to my blog, which I’ve titled ‘Not for Human Consumption.’ My name is Stephen Ogden, and I am thrilled to delve into the topics of criminal justice and prison reform, areas I am incredibly passionate about.

I’ll be covering a wide range of subjects, from mental health to the intricacies of gang life behind bars. If it pertains to life in prison or the criminal justice system, it will find a place here.

Though I lack a formal education in criminal justice, I have garnered extensive insight through my many years within the system, comprehending its mechanisms from the perspective of an inmate. Nearly everything you’ll read here will stem from my firsthand experiences, as I’ve been in and out of incarceration since the age of 13.

Many of the topics I’ll be discussing are considered taboo within the inmate community and could potentially endanger my life. Moreover, the Department of Corrections has attempted to silence me due to these subjects.

Warden Fairbaren at Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility suspended my visits upon discovering my YouTube vodcast on Prison Reform. Shortly thereafter, I was assaulted by three inmates, and the same warden used the incident as a pretext to place me in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement is typically reserved for extreme situations involving the most violent inmates, yet despite my positive actions, they seem unconcerned.

The experiences I’ve faced demonstrate the extreme taboo nature of these topics, but I refuse to be silenced. To ensure that none of this effort goes to waste, I urge you to read my blog and join me in advocating for change.”