Day In The Life - Inmate spends time pondering mistakes

Robert Nork wakes up each morning in the bottom bunk of a 12-man cell in the Spartanburg County jail. The days, months and years have crept by for this soft-spoken man, who is serving a five-year sentence for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Waiting for his parole in late June, after serving about half of the sentence, Nork describes the last few weeks as the beginning of the end. "This has been a long haul and I'm just glad it's almost over," he said. "Prison isn't fun, that's for sure. You see a lot of your life pass you by. You could never understand unless it's your situation."

But Nork has had an easier time than some. After more than two years behind bars, he has earned the position of state trusty. Trusties in the Spartanburg County jail work with local government agencies. They are given private showers and can leave the jail when riding in a county vehicle with a county official. Most, including Nork, perform maintenance duties. Nork works at the County Administrative Building on North Church Street. The hours are long and the work hard, but Nork says the change in scenery is much needed. The state saves money by allowing the trusties to work. Nork reports to the maintenance department at 7 a.m. and doesn't return to the jail until 8 p.m. He works two shifts. When the maintenance department closes at 5 p.m., Nork spends the rest of the work day shredding old documents and boxing files for the records and management department.

"They treat me just like anyone else," Nork said. "I don't feel much like a prisoner when I go there. I just do my work and come back to the jail. It's the same thing every day." Trusties like Nork work 12 hours a day, six days a week. Take-home pay is $5 per week, which he spends during regular trips to the nearby Community Cash. "It isn't too hard to spend five bucks a week," he says. "Sometimes I save up the money and get something good to eat. When I get out, the first thing I'm going to do is grill a nice, thick steak. You learn to appreciate things people on the outside take for granted." The days and weeks run into each other, he says.

Although prison life offers little variety, inmates have many hours to ponder past mistakes and hopes for the future. "I don't think the jail system in this country reforms prisoners," Nork says. "It's the prisoner himself who is responsible for making himself a better citizen. You have a lot of time to think about what you did and who you hurt. It can drive you crazy, make you angry at the world, or make you swear never to land yourself in this situation again."

After his initial sentencing, Nork was sent to a McCormick Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison about 30 miles south of Greenwood. Nork remembers seeing riots, suicides and a hostage situation during his 11-month stay at McCormick. "The whole system is terribly flawed," Nork said. "The workers don't really care about you. Contrary to popular belief, you don't get many privileges no matter who you are. If you want to be reformed, you're going to have to do it yourself."

Nork is just waiting for bed space at the Livesay Work Release Center on New Cut Road in Spartanburg. He hopes to be released on parole soon. When he does get out of jail, Nork plans to live with his sister until he gets back on his feet again. And he says he plans never to return to this or any other prison. "Once I get out, I am never coming back," Nork said with a wishful grin. "Jail ain't the place for me. I've learned more than my lesson and paid tenfold for my crimes. You couldn't get me back here for anything in the world."