Comics from Confinement
Gallery
Even though there were some benefits to my dad's incarceration, that doesn't mean that the wider carceral system is effective or positive for those it impacts.
My brother and I receive a lot of sympathetic looks and “Oh wow, I’m so sorry”s when we share that our dad spent a time in jail for a series of DUIs when we were younger. The thing is, we aren’t sorry. My dad has had a challenging adult life with some ups (but mostly downs) which has made it impossible for us to have a traditional relationship. His time incarcerated removed the outside pressures that always seemed to negatively influence him and gave him a daily routine where, frankly, he was his healthiest.
During this time, my brother and I received a letter every day that mail was delivered, containing written messages and some comics of the two of us doing our favorite things. But most of the illustrations were of my dad's dog, Zeus, a giant black lab who was so stinky but had so much personality.
There have been many challenging moments in our relationship with our dad, and often his words and actions fail us. While not the most beautiful, the comics—and his daily practice and dedication to send them to us—are a bittersweet but tangible reflection of how much he loves us. I’m so grateful for them.
Here are some of my favorites, selected for artistic, comedic, or sentimental value:
Even though there were some benefits to my dad's incarceration, that doesn't mean that the wider carceral system is effective or positive for those it impacts.