Category Archives: Justice Chronicles

Writings about crime and punishment, and more punishment.

THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-06

Posted on July 13, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

The law is meant to preserve freedom. Yet history reminds us that laws have also defended injustice, prolonged inequality, and restricted opportunity. This sentence asks us to distinguish between respect for the rule of law and blind acceptance of every … Continue reading →

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, Justice Chronicles | Tagged | 3 Comments

THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-05

Posted on July 10, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

The law library serves as a vital resource for incarcerated individuals, fostering hope and reclaiming dignity through research and argumentation. It plays a crucial role in the pursuit of justice, as determined individuals seek knowledge and solutions in a space where options are limited. Continue reading →

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THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-04

Posted on July 8, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Loss can occur suddenly or subtly, often going unnoticed for years. Innocence fades gradually through life’s challenges, prompting reflection on the soul’s essence. The importance lies in recognizing and protecting our true selves amidst external demands. This excerpt invites contemplation on what is truly worth safeguarding. Continue reading →

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, Justice Chronicles, Short Stories | Tagged , | 2 Comments

THE CONUNDRUMS QUOTATIONS PROJECT – CQ-003

Posted on July 6, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

The content emphasizes that despair often associated with imprisonment is misleading; instead, it highlights endurance and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite separation from community, individuals in confinement find ways to live meaningfully, ultimately framing them as “prisoners of hope” who continue to search for purpose. Continue reading →

Posted in ezwwaters, Justice Chronicles | Tagged | 1 Comment

Short Stories that Challenge the Legal System: A Review by Dr. Mark Chapman of “Conundrums: Stories of Law & Justice” by Easy Waters

Posted on June 26, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Easy Waters’ collection “Conundrums” features humorous and insightful short stories that explore the absurdities of prison and the legal system. The engaging narratives, filled with wit and deep reflection on justice, showcase Waters’ masterful storytelling and his ability to humanize incarcerated individuals. A must-read for enthusiasts of poignant fiction. Continue reading →

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, James Baldwin, Justice Chronicles, Life Sentences, Murder, Parole, parole board, Politics, race, raising black boys, remorse, Short Stories, Sonny's Blues, Streets of Rage, The Black Blood of Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature – The Series

Posted on February 17, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

In this series, I trace how a teenage brush with homicide headlines became a lifelong interrogation of justice. From police tape and tabloid “if it bleeds, it leads” narratives to courtrooms, prisons, and the literature that wrestles with guilt, I ask what truth survives punishment. Along the way, I revisit forgotten voices, personal losses, and hard-earned lessons—seeking a language that honors victims, confronts systems, and insists on humanity, story at a time, without flinching. Continue reading →

Posted in being a teenager, Black History Month, Education, ezwwaters, Genealogy, Growing Up, Justice Chronicles, juveniles, Life Sentences, Martin Luther King, Murder, Parole, parole board, Politics, race, raising black boys, Reentry, remorse, Segregation, Slavery, Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats, Streets of Rage, The Black Blood of Poetry, urban decay, Urban Impact | Leave a comment

Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature, Part IV

Posted on February 16, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I began writing this fourth and “final” installment of “Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature” on Martin Luther King Day. I re-read Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (16 April 1963), not for purposes of this series, but on this … Continue reading →

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, Growing Up, Justice Chronicles, Life Sentences, Martin Luther King, raising black boys, Slavery, Streets of Rage, urban decay, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature, Part III

Posted on January 3, 2026 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

Continued… (If you missed the second installment, then click here: Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature, Part II) The modern War on Crime, as we know it, was inaugurated with Richard Nixon’s campaign for the presidency in 1968. Nixon declared … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass, crime, ezwwaters, Justice Chronicles, Politics, race | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature, Part II

Posted on December 23, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

…Continued (If you missed the first installment, then click here: Journey Through Crime and Punishment, Part I.) Crime and Punishment was first published in The Russian Messenger, a literary journal, in twelve monthly installments in 1866. I reread passages of … Continue reading →

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, Justice Chronicles, juveniles, Murder, Parole, parole board, Politics, race, raising black boys, remorse | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Journey Through Crime, Justice & Literature

Posted on December 16, 2025 by William Eric Waters, aka Easy Waters

I first became interested in the story of crime and punishment, how we tell those stories, at 16 years of age. Then, three childhood friends were arrested for two homicides. Two were immediately arrested, one was on the run for … Continue reading →

Posted in crime, ezwwaters, Justice Chronicles, juveniles, Life Sentences, Murder, Reentry, Streets of Rage, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments