Can I Get Some Wipes?

Excerpt

In this town, white cumulus clouds free of pollution hover over low-rolling green hills and scattered silos. Few vehicles, mostly Subaru Outbacks, travel here. In this micropolitan area lies an isolated blinding white structure; floodlights overhead provide a luminous glow, and the peripheral electric fencing prevents residents from escaping, if they tried. Despite the impenetrable exterior, this supermax prison is laxer than envisioned. Inmates donned in blue jumpsuits are occupied with various activities in the yard. Here, the soon-to-be parolee does early morning push-ups, while one jogs without the front wheel walker he fervently protested for when I discussed its removal. A young man waters the patch of grass he has been tending for weeks, as a small group strolls to the pharmacy for medications under direct observation to ensure they are not cheeked. Their freedom is overseen by the watchful eyes of guards from the panopticon towers, much to my family’s relief. …