Early Release | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Early Release | Previous Challenge Entry
By Allison Egley
02/02/17
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I’m not supposed to be here. Not yet, anyway. Never the less, here I am, about to walk through these prison doors, two years early. But I’m nervous. I know this is a mistake. Do I dare say something? Do I dare not say something?

I’m pretty sure I know how it happened, too. The rumor mill is about the only thing in this prison that runs well. It seems Carlos Smith is supposed to be released today. I’m Carl Smith. Easy enough mistake to make, I suppose. A simple slip of the tongue. Man, I am so nervous. They’ll realize their mistake soon. I mean, they aren’t going to let me get all the way out the door, are they? They’ll see that our dates of birth are different. I suppose it’s possible that’s the same too, but the chances are slim. And our prisoner numbers are definitely different. And our pictures.

I keep following the officers, and keep progressing through. No one is acting like anything is amiss. They ask me my name, and I tell them Carl Smith. But I slur it together. No hint of alarm from anyone. Next, they ask me my birthday. Oh, what do I say? I don’t know his, so I tell them my own. They say nothing. Either we have the exact same birthday or... Next, my prisoner ID. Again, I tell them my own. Nothing. Oh my gosh. They pulled my file. They actually think I’m the one who’s supposed to be released today. But they’ll notice the release date.

I try to remain calm. But what do I do? Is this considered an attempted escape? I only get more nervous, as I sign my paperwork. Yes, mine. I quickly glance to see if my release date is printed. There it is. I’m doomed. And yet, I continue through the release procedures. I change into my street clothes. I’m dumbfounded. I jump when she cuts my ID bracelet off.

“Nervous?” the release processor asks. I jump again. She continues. “Don’t worry. Everyone’s nervous when they’re first released. Just do what your PO tells you to do and you’ll be fine. Find a job, make a living, and don’t come back.”

I chuckle inside. If only she knew. The crazy thing is I’m in here for computer hacking. I could design a program that would make a mistake like this nearly impossible... Set up a “similar name” alert and make sure they cannot proceed until the right ID and release date is confirmed, stuff like that. It would be pretty easy. Heck, even a simple release date alert and confirmation would have been enough. I guess the officers weren’t joking when they complained about the ancient system they had to use to track everything.

I’m looking out the glass doors. Freedom. I’d been hoping for it, but this is not how I expected it. They hand me a bus pass and wish me well, then go back. I’m alone. What do I do? I’ll be in even worse trouble if I’m caught later, for not turning myself in. Maybe if I’m caught I’ll offer to write that computer program for them. Wouldn’t that be ironic?

I briefly consider my options.

I run.

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