30-For-30: The Writings Behind the Wall

Well educated. Rewarding career. World traveller. An all-around well-rounded individual. These are a few of the notions that come to mind when friends, family, peers and acquaintances speak about Darren Smith. But, for a period in 2019, all the aforementioned was briefly, yet unexpectedly halted.




On March 15th 2019, Darren Smith became inmate #1474625, as he was sentenced to 60 days in the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis, MD for a DUI conviction. Suddenly, Darren goes from living in a world without limitation, full of promise and adventure, to being in a state of absolute confinement. All the while, his career, and the resources he's worked to attain up to this point, are hanging in the balance.




Being jailed was very much unchartered territory for Darren; so far removed from his regular life. Because of this, he felt it essential to document the entire experience. 30 For 30: The Writings Behind the Wall is the personal account of each day Darren spent being incarcerated. Revealing, compelling, and insightful, 30 For 30 explores it all, from Darren's daily rituals, interactions with other inmates, analysis of stories, books and current events, his time spent as a jail employee, and much more. Taken directly from the journal he kept while inside (and expanded upon once released), this intimate, extremely detailed and introspective account of Darren's time behind bars provides a front row seat to watch as he navigates, and ultimately perseveres, through the most difficult moment of his life.