‘I came out battered and worn’: Ex-officer turns prison life into memoir
After 20 years working behind bars, Rhonda Hāpi-Smith finally broke free from her past to pursue her dreams. For most of her life, she never imagined becoming a prison officer like her father and siblings. However, in her thirties, after drifting through unsatisfying jobs, she felt drawn toward purpose, structure, and service.
Though she knew the job would change her, she believes dedicating two decades to prison work was the right choice. “I came out battered and worn, but I’d do it all again,” the 58-year-old shared from her home in Wellington. “There was something about the job that gave me a reason.”
From prison life to writing
Rhonda transformed her challenging and often dangerous experiences into her first book, Inside the Wire: True Stories from a New Zealand Prison Officer. Writing served as a vital outlet throughout her career.
Maintaining identity behind bars
From the start, she made a clear separation between her prison identity and her life outside. At work, Rhonda developed a tough exterior to shield herself from constant verbal abuse and learned how to defend herself if necessary.
Challenges of being a woman in men’s prisons
- Had to work twice as hard to prove she was not someone to be underestimated.
- Faced unique challenges as a female officer in a male-dominated environment.
“I came out battered and worn, but I’d do it all again.”
Author's summary: Rhonda Hāpi-Smith’s two decades in prison work, marked by resilience and purpose, have inspired her memoir that reveals the harsh realities and personal strength within.