{"id":44907,"date":"2022-09-29T06:05:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T04:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cityvision\/the-ugly-american-former-inmate-tells-tale-of-his-life-behind-bars-20220929\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T01:00:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T23:00:42","slug":"the-ugly-american-former-inmate-tells-tale-of-his-life-behind-bars-20220929","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cityvision\/the-ugly-american-former-inmate-tells-tale-of-his-life-behind-bars-20220929\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The Ugly American’: Former inmate tells tale of his life behind bars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Former Drakenstein Prison inmate has published a book about his life behind bars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ishmael Baradien, from Island in Philippi, said he started writing his book titled The Ugly American while he was still in custody. He says his aim is to educate young people about the dangers of thug life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baradien (44), who refused to dwell on the details of the book, says he has been living a clean life since he was in prison. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI started being naughty at the age of 10. I joined a gang group called \u2018Ugly American\u2019 which was based at Bonteheuwel. We did a lot of things terrorising the communities. And I was arrested many times. Then in 2012, I was arrested again and I stayed in Drakenstein Maximum Prison. While I was in jail I started doing my own introspection and that\u2019s where I started to change my life inside the prison. I started writing my book in 2015 and continued until 2017,\u201d he stated, adding that he was sentenced for 15 years but he got a parole in the 10th year and was released in January this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baradien said he was arrested numerous times without giving too much information about his arrests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis book is about the story of my life and the Cape Flats. It also shows parents and other children how easy it is to be lured into gangsterism. Now, I want to redeem my life and be a good father to my two daughters aged 13 and 26 years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

Ishmael Baradien\u2019s book \u2018The Ugly American\u2019.<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Baradien is part of Funda Mzantsi Project which is spearheaded by the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) to instilling the culture of reading to the inmates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following his release, he said he became a motivational speaker visiting schools in Mitchell\u2019s Plain and Gugulethu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy aim is to see young people refrain from joining gang groups and substance abuse. I always encourage young people to focus on their studies,\u201dhe said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollsmoor prison communication manager Mkhanyisi Sphendu said before Baradien was released from Drakenstein prison he was transferred to Pollsmoor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs he was about to be released we were communicating with the Drakenstein prison. We had to verify his home address and ensure that he has a good support structure from the family,\u201d said Sphendu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated that as a Correctional Service department is working together with the NLSA to ensure that all the offenders are rehabilitated. He described Baradien is an ambassador for NLSA. He is visiting schools motivating and educating learners about the danger of gangsterism and life in prison. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Ugly American': Former inmate tells tale of his life behind bars | City Vision<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cityvision\/the-ugly-american-former-inmate-tells-tale-of-his-life-behind-bars-20220929\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"'The Ugly American': Former inmate tells tale of his life behind bars\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Former Drakenstein Prison inmate has published a book about his life behind bars.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cityvision\/the-ugly-american-former-inmate-tells-tale-of-his-life-behind-bars-20220929\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"City Vision\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" 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