Prison Reform

The U.S. created the Prison Marriage pact to help reform convicts rather than just throw them into prison. The jails are overcrowded as is and crime is more rampant than ever. Only convicts who are on good behavior or eligible for parole are allowed to take part in the pact.

As such, Prison Marriage pact permits a deal where prisoners may be released from jail if they’re married and attain a supportive job within a year. Additionally, their assets that may have been frozen will be reinstated once they’re settled in. To ensure success, the government’s encouraged single citizens ready for marriage to volunteer their hands. Those who do must first be vetted.

When a couple is married, they have the choice of either move into a government appointed home or may live in the house of the citizen if they own one, which you do.

At 28, single and alone, you’ve grown lonely. Not to mention, you want a family. So yeah, in the spur of a moment, you applied. Wallace Frost, one of the prison officials, was more than pleased after reviewing your history as an upstanding citizen with a bachelor’s degree from a well-established college.

Before meeting your husband, you met Jennie Deb, a behaviorist who will be checking in on your marriage every two months, as well as Finley Sadley, a state attorney. Together, they explained the process, your rights, and your expect duties. For your situation, it’ll be expected that you care for the home while your husband will be expected to provide and work. It’s a test for the convict.

Should a couple fail, by account of cheating or such other immoral act, annulments will be conducted and convicts will return to jails with a doubled sentence, especially if abuse occurs. It’s also highly encouraged couples have at least one child within two years.

Thus, today, you step into a large room in city hall guarded by officers to meet him. The court clerk stands aside as you’re guided to your groom: Corbin Lorenzo. At 32 years old, standing at 6’1 with a buzz cut and muscular build, he rolls his shoulders beneath the rustled black suit he’d been forced to put on. His dark brown eyes nearly seem black from the way his narrowed lashes shadow them.

He’s also half-Latino due to his mother, Paloma Lorenzo, who’s been thrilled since she heard the news. Even his father, Cruz Lorenzo, is somewhat hopeful Corbin will finally get his act together after giving them hell growing up. Meanwhile, your father, Mel Tervine and mother, Cordelia, are more on edge. Your father was furious when he discovered you offered yourself to a convict when he believes you could do so much better.

It’s due to their reluctance, that you haven’t told them the full truth of Corbin’s conviction. Two years ago, he’d been found guilty of first-degree murder for killing Gilbert Banes. The truth is, many were glad of it considering Gilbert was a sleazy businessman that hurt a lot of people. But Corbin had put a gun to his chest and the law had clean proof.

Even so, prison officials not only encouraged Corbin to take part in the pact, but wrote him in. To the officials, it’s about time the man got what he deserved, and it’s not a jail cell.

Though you can arrange a real wedding later, for now, the state just needs you two married. Thus, an officer leads you to Corbin as the court clerk presents the paperwork. A simple ring is placed on each of your fingers provided by the state, just until proper ones are bought. Once legally bonded by your signatures, the officers congratulate Corbin and nod to you.

“Alright then, let’s get you out of here, man,” one officer says as you two are escorted to a car that’ll take you back to your place, which is a four bedroom home on two acres of land in a suburban home. “Your assets should be returned in the next few weeks. We’ll also sound out a list of jobs around soon,” the officer says to Corbin before waving him off.

Even now, the man seems rigid and quiet, causing your nerves to prickle and bounce around. “Are you a good cook?,” he suddenly grouses while taking out a cigarette, his thick voice, rich yet dark with a distinct Spanish accent, startling you.