REDEMPTION

  Glenn Skinner

  Copyright © 2023 by Glenn Skinner.

  ISBN:

  Softcover

  978-1-6698-8039-4

  eBook

  978-1-6698-8038-7

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

  Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

  Rev. date: 03/01/2023

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  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 1

  It was spring of 1966 and Jimmy Harrigan was in a cold sweat.

  “Tom! Tom! Wake up! You have to help me!”

  Tom stirred and muttered “not now Jimmy, I want to sleep”.

  “No Tom, wake up! This is critical”.

  Tom half opened his eyes. “Alright. What is it that’s so important?”

  “I’m in big trouble. At the party we were at last night, you know that young blonde girl I was with who got paralytic drunk? Well I found her lying on the bed in Barry’s bedroom, virtually unconscious. Being three parts drunk myself, I did something really stupid” replied Jimmy.

  “Oh no, please tell me you didn’t” said Tom.

  “Yeah I did and she has gone to the police and accused me of raping her”

  “But if she was unconscious, how did she know it was you?”

  “I guess she wasn’t totally out and because everyone else had paired off earlier, it was me that she had been with virtually all night’” said Jimmy.

  “The police will still need proof it was you” said Tom.

  “Well they have asked me to go to the station to answer questions Tom”.

  “Deny it” Tom replied, “say it wasn’t you”.

  “But……”

  “Are you listening to me Jimmy? Deny it! Now calm down and pull yourself together, it will be your word against hers. Have you told father yet?”

  “No”

  “Well I think you should before the police do.”

  Just then the door bursts open and their father walked in.

  “James there is a police officer downstairs who is asking you to accompany him to the Police Station. Do you know what this is about?”

  “I think I do father. I will come downstairs with you and explain”.

  “Yes, that would be a good idea” replied his father.

  They walked downstairs and found a police officer waiting. Jimmy’s father said

  “Officer, this is my son James. Now tell me James, what do you know about why the officer wants you to go with him?”

  “I believe I may be about to be charged with the rape of a girl.”

  “I beg your pardon? Is this true officer?” said his father with a look of incredulity on his face.

  “I’m afraid it is Mr Harrigan” replied the officer.

  “And are you guilty of this offence James?”

  “The honest truth is I don’t know father. We were both very drunk and I have no recollection of what happened.”

  “Oh no” muttered Tom under his breath as he listened from the top of the stairs. “I said deny it Jimmy!”

  “I will need to contact my attorney first so that he can be with my son when you interview him officer” said Jimmy’s father.

  “That is your right” replied the officer, “Can you please call him to arrange this because we need to do this now, considering the gravity of the alleged offence”.

  With that, Mr Harrigan went out to telephone his lawyer. He returned after a few minutes and said his attorney will meet them at the Police Station in about forty five minutes. With that, the officer left.

  “I’m sorry father” said Jimmy.

  “If you are guilty of this offence, sorry won’t be sufficient. This is so unlike you James, what on earth were you thinking to put yourself in that situation? I will need to speak to your mother now and then we will need to go to the Police Station and talk to my attorney”.

  Jimmy went back upstairs to get his coat and was met by Tom.

  “I told you to deny it Jimmy. Now you’ve got a problem because she is saying you raped her and you’re saying you can’t remember, which is a bit like saying maybe you did. I hope father’s attorney can find a way to get you out of this” said Tom.

  “So do I” said Jimmy, before going back downstairs.

  By then Jimmy’s mother and sister Alex had joined his father.

  “Oh James, this can’t be true. I can’t believe you would have done such a thing” said his mother.

  “I’m not saying I did mother but as I told father, I was too drunk to remember.”

  “Too drunk? This is so unlike you James.”

  “Alright, let’s all get in the car and go down to the Police Station and wait for my attorney to join us” said Jimmy’s father.

  “Is Tom coming with us?” said Alex.

  “No, we don’t need him with us” replied her father “and you don’t need to be with us either Alexandra”.

  After they left Alex ran upstairs.

  “Tom, what is going to happen to Jimmy? He can’t be found guilty of this, can he?”

  “I don’t know Alex. I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait until they return to see what has happened and if Jimmy has been charged”.

  After nearly three hours, Jimmy and his parents returned.

  Alex immediately asked

  “What happened Daddy?”

  “James has been charged with raping this young woman and is allowed out on bail until a date for the trial is set. My attorney will now be trying to develop a case for the defence of your brother. This is a terrible day for the Harrigan family and the Harrigan name”.

  “The Harrigan name? Is that all you’re worried about?” said Tom from the top of the stairs. “This is your son being charged with a very serious offence that may see him end up serving a long sentence in prison and all you’re concerned about is the Harrigan name?”

  “Yes! A very serious offence!” replied his father. “And you of all people, are not in a position to give me counsel on my choice of words! You have caused me nothing but problems and I was pinning all my hopes on James that he would compensate for the disappointment you have been to your mother and me.”

  Tom turned and went back into his room, shaking his head. Alex rushed after him. “Tom please don’t listen to father, you know what he’s like with you. It wouldn’t matter what you do or say, it’s never good enough.”

  “It’s ok Alex.”

  Two weeks later, the attorney advises the Harrigans of the date for the trial, which is set for three months time. He recommends the engagement of an attorney that specialises in criminal cases of this type to handle the case and this is agreed on. After consultation with the Harrigans, they agree with the attorney to enter a plea of not guilty and they await the trial while the attorney prepares his arguments. He states that because there were no witnesses, it is essentially her word against Jimmy’s, however the potential weakness in their case is that Jimmy did not deny committing rape, only that he was too drunk to remember.

  “So what do you think Tom? Do I have a chance of being found not guilty?”

  “I don’t know Jimmy but what I do know is if the verdict goes against you, it will mean a long prison sentence. If only you had denied it instead of saying you couldn’t remember”.

  “I know” replied Jimmy. “You went to prison for that assault Tom, how bad was it?”

  “I only served six months Jimmy but it wasn’t pleasant. If I found it hard serving only six months, I don’t know how you could handle several years. You would be doing time with hardened criminals, you wouldn’t survive.”

  Over the ensuing weeks, Jimmy met with the attorney on several occasions. It was decided to present a case to the jury which showed Jimmy as being of very good character with an unblemished record, who came from a family of high repute in the community. Character witnesses would be called who would be asked to provide support to the argument that Jimmy would not have committed this alleged crime.

  Meanwhile, Tom was overwhelmed with thoughts of Jimmy and how he would survive in prison if he was convicted. Within a few days of the trial commencing, Tom said to Jimmy

  “We need to talk Jimmy”

  “OK Tom, what about?”

  “Let’s go out somewhere so we are private and don’t get d isturbed” replied Tom.

  So they both left the house and walked down to the local park. Sitting on a bench together Tom began…..

  “Jimmy you are a very loved son and brother and all of your family hold high hopes for your future. On the other hand, I have had a chequered past as you know, mixing with the wrong people and constantly getting into trouble”.

  “Yes but…..”

  “Don’t interrupt me Jimmy, let me finish. As I was about to say, I have given your situation a lot of thought and my honest feeling is that you are going to be found guilty. So rather than go through with the court case, I have decided to say to the police that I was the one that raped her and because she was very drunk, she wrongly assumed it was you”.

  “No, no, no! You can’t do that Tom!”

  “Listen to me Jimmy. You wouldn’t survive in prison. I would be able to. My confession would be much harder to be believed after the verdict is delivered, so I have to do it now.”

  “I can’t let you do that Tom”.

  “You must Jimmy”.

  Jimmy then broke down in tears. Tom put his arm around him to try and console him.

  “I’ve given this a lot of thought, please let me do this for you Jimmy. My only condition is that you tell no one, this is just between you and me.”

  Jimmy composed himself and said

  “Let me think it over first Tom”.

  “Don’t take too long, the trial begins on Thursday”

  The day before the trial Jimmy comes to Tom and says

  “Tom I can’t let you do this. Let the trial take its course and see what happens”. Tom replies

  “Bad decision Jimmy. I have made my mind up and I will go to the police today and tell them that I did it. You need to agree to this, it is in everyone’s best interests. But you must promise me that you will never tell anyone about this.”

  Jimmy slumped down onto the couch and covered his face with his hands. “Promise me Jimmy.”

  After a long pause Jimmy replied “I promise.”

  With that, Tom walked away and left for the Police Station.

  Later that day after Tom was taken into custody, the Harrigan’s attorney rang to say what had happened. All of the family but the father were dismayed and crestfallen.

  “None of you believed me over the years when I said Thomas was nothing more than a perpetual problem, an embarrassment and a failure. Of all of the misdemeanours he has committed however, this time it is a step too far and for which he can never be forgiven. After he is sentenced, I never ever want his name mentioned in this house again!”

  With that Mr Harrigan stormed from the room. The rest of the family were left in stunned silence. Jimmy left and went upstairs to his bedroom and collapsed on his bed. Presently there was a knock on his door and Alex said

  “Are you alright Jimmy?”

  “No, please leave me alone Alex.”

  Chapter 2

  Tom was sentenced to a term of 18 years imprisonment with a minimum non parole period of 12 years. After he was sentenced, he asked that none of his family would visit him in prison, seeing them would only make his suffering worse. They reluctantly agreed but said they would write to him instead. He would however never read or reply to any of the letters they sent. To make sure he knew how they were, he instead asked a close friend to let him know if anything important happened with his family that he should know about. He left the courtroom without looking back at his mother and Alex.

  He was sent to a penitentiary in Houston. Having experienced prison once before, Tom knew what to expect when he arrived in the prison van with two other inmates. Firstly the prison procedures were explained, what his rights and responsibilities were and that compliance with the prison policy was mandatory. He was issued with prison clothing, bedding, soap and toilet paper. He was then taken to his cell. The door banged behind him and was locked.

  He placed the blankets and pillow down on the bed, then lay down and closed his eyes. A minimum of 12 years. If he served the full sentence he would be thirty eight on release. The grim reality of that was only just beginning to sink in. Life without freedom. Monotony. Repetitive daily routines.

  06.30

  wake up call 06.30 – 06.45

  toilet, wash, dress, make the bed 06.45 – 07.15

  roll call 07.15 – 07.45

  breakfast 07.45 – 08.00

  receiving and reading mail 08.00 – 08.15

  prisoners escorted to work duties 08.15 – 12.15

  work duties 12.15 – 12.45

  lunch 12.45 – 17.00

  study, exercise 17.00 – 17.30

  dinner 17.30 – 20.00

  back in cell 20.00

  lights out

  Meanwhile Jimmy fell into a deep depression and stayed in his room all the time, other than when he needed to eat, bathe, or use the toilet. He found relief in sleep. Alex and his mother tried hard to communicate with him and encourage him but it was going to take a long time for Jimmy. The burden of guilt was heavy and couldn’t be taken from him, he had given Tom his word he wouldn’t tell a soul.

  Tom meanwhile, began to try and adjust to prison life. He was reluctant to engage with any of the other prisoners, knowing from past experience the risks that were ever present. He performed his work duties and chose not to exercise in the afternoons so he could avoid contact with anyone. Instead he went to the prison library as he found reading was a way to escape the reality of prison life and avoid most of the other inmates. He had never been much of a reader in the past but now it became very important and was an escape mechanism. And he was permitted to take the books back to his cell.

  But he knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be confronted by other prisoners.

  “Harrigan!”

  Tom looked up to see three inmates at his cell door. A particularly large and ugly one stood in front.

  “What?” replied Tom, standing up to face them.

  “Did you think you could avoid us by hiding in here?”

  “I’m not hiding.”

  “Well you better get to know that the warden isn’t the only one who has rules, we have rules too and you’ll need to get to know them fast if you want to survive here.”

  Tom didn’t reply.

  “So you’re in for rape?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How long did they give you?”

  “Eighteen years.”

  “Yeah……. we’ll talk again soon.”

  “That’s Fats McCutcheon.”

  Tom turned to see the inmate from the adjacent cell at his door.

  “He leads a pretty nasty group who take pleasure in controlling things in here. If you don’t go along with what he wants, he will make it really tough.”

  “Thanks for the warning” replied Tom.

  Jimmy Harrigan knew in his heart that Tom was right, he wouldn’t have survived in prison. He had penned many letters to Tom but never received a reply to any. Eventually he decided to write to the prison warden to see if he could elicit any news on Tom. However the warden’s response was that he could not give Jimmy any news without Tom’s permission, which he did not have. Mrs Harrigan and Alex had the same response.

  Jimmy slowly began to emerge from his deep depression and resumed his university classes. But he found concentrating for long periods very difficult and his results were declining along with his attendance. Alex and his parents tried to motivate and encourage him but to little avail.

  Tom decided he couldn’t avoid Fats McCutcheon and his band of thugs indefinitely, so he decided to begin doing exercise on a daily basis. Inevitably and almost immediately he was confronted in the exercise area.

  “We have some rules that you better learn if you want to survive Harrigan” said McCutcheon.

  “Because I have no choice, I will follow the prison rules. But I won’t follow any other” replied Tom.

  “Then you are going to pay a price.”

  With that several of his henchmen launched themselves at him. Tom took several punches and kicks but responded in kind. A loud siren sounded and several guards descended on them and separated the protagonists. Tom dusted himself off and held his hand against his nose and mouth to try and stem the bleeding. All were called before the warden and sentenced to confinement to their cells for seven days. As McCutcheon hadn’t personally involved himself in the fight, he escaped punishment. From then on, this became the norm for Tom, defending himself against McCutcheon and his thugs, then paying the price by confinement to his cell. Each time, there was a black mark registered against his record, however he was not prepared to back down, even if it meant that time was added to his sentence. This continued for several months. Some of the beatings he endured meant he had to spend time in the prison hospital. Although he fought back he was always outnumbered. Although McCutcheon had a feeling of begrudging respect growing for Tom and his refusal to back down, he knew that if he relented, he would put his status amongst the prisoners at risk, so the attacks continued, almost daily. Eventually, McCutcheon was called before the warden and it was made clear that the violence inflicted on Tom had to stop or significant penalties and removal of priveleges would be imposed on McCutcheon and his group.

 

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