The Unlikely Story of Boxing Behind Bars

Imagine a world where a prison becomes a boxing arena, with inmates as the fighters and the public as the audience. It may sound like a scene from a movie, but this was a reality at Rahway State Penitentiary in New Jersey in the 1970s. This unlikely story of boxing behind bars is a testament to the power of rehabilitation and the determination of one man to make a difference.

Bob Hatrak, a former prison guard, became the warden of Rahway in 1973. He was a firm believer in giving inmates opportunities for rehabilitation and saw boxing as a way to instill discipline and self-respect. With the help of inmates like James Scott, a troubled teen turned professional boxer, Hatrak created a boxing program within the prison walls.

The idea of televised fights and tickets sold to the public may seem far-fetched, but it was a reality at Rahway. The likes of “Sugar” Ray Leonard even provided color commentary for the events. Muhammad Ali even donated equipment to the prison’s boxing program, and comedian Bob Hope endorsed it.

But this was not just about entertainment. Hatrak’s goal was to give inmates a chance at a better life after their release. The program was a success, with more program space inside the prison than cell space by the time Hatrak left almost a decade later.

Scott, who had previously fought contenders like Baby Boy Rolle and Ray Anderson, continued his boxing career within the prison walls. He even defeated top contenders like Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Yaqui Lopez, earning the title of number one challenger for the WBA light heavyweight title.

The atmosphere at Rahway on fight day was unlike anything Hatrak had experienced in his years working in prisons. It was a testament to the success of the program in normalizing the environment and giving inmates a sense of purpose.

Looking back, Hatrak acknowledges that this was a unique period in boxing history and doubts that it could ever happen again. But he remains proud of what they accomplished and the impact it had on the inmates.

A Legacy of Rehabilitation

The story of boxing behind bars at Rahway State Penitentiary may seem like a distant memory, but its impact lives on. Hatrak’s belief in rehabilitation and giving inmates a chance at a better life has left a lasting legacy.

While the program may never be replicated, its success serves as a reminder of the power of determination and the potential for change, even in the most unlikely of places. The inmates who participated in the program were given a second chance, and for some, it was the start of a new life outside of prison.

As for Hatrak, he may have retired to Oregon, but he will always be remembered as the man who brought boxing behind bars and gave inmates a chance to fight for a better future.

The Unlikely Story of James Scott: From Prison to the Boxing Ring

James Scott, a convicted felon serving a life sentence in Rahway State Prison, was an unlikely candidate for a professional boxing career. But with the help of his dedicated trainer and the support of the prison system, Scott defied the odds and became a formidable fighter in the ring.

Under the guidance of his trainer, Bob Hatrak, Scott trained tirelessly and honed his skills, earning the nickname “Superman” for his impressive physical abilities. Despite the challenges of training and competing while incarcerated, Scott remained determined and focused on his goal of becoming a champion.

But it wasn’t just Scott’s talent and determination that made his story so remarkable. It was the unlikely setting of his fights – inside the walls of Rahway State Prison. While some may have been skeptical of the legitimacy of these fights, those who witnessed them were in awe of the intense atmosphere and the level of competition.

One of Scott’s biggest supporters was Hatrak, who not only trained him but also fought to get him recognized by the boxing world. Despite facing obstacles and criticism, Hatrak remained dedicated to Scott and his dream of fighting for a world title on a day release.

But just as Scott’s career was gaining momentum, Hatrak was transferred to another facility and the boxing program at Rahway State Prison was disbanded. This marked a turning point for Scott, who lost two fights and ultimately lost his passion for the sport.

Looking back on his time with Scott, Hatrak expressed regret that he was unable to see his fighter achieve his dream of fighting for a world title. But he also acknowledged the impact that Scott had on the prison community and the positive influence he had on his fellow inmates.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, the unlikely story of James Scott remains a testament to the power of determination and the potential for redemption, even in the most unlikely of places.

Summary:

The story of James Scott, a convicted felon serving a life sentence in Rahway State Prison, defying the odds and becoming a formidable boxer with the help of his dedicated trainer, Bob Hatrak. Despite facing obstacles and criticism, Scott’s determination and talent earned him the nickname “Superman” and the support of the prison community. However, just as his career was gaining momentum, Hatrak was transferred and the boxing program at Rahway State Prison was disbanded, leading to Scott’s eventual loss of passion for the sport. Despite this, his story remains a testament to the power of determination and redemption, even in the most unlikely of places.

The Untold Story of Bob Hatrak and His Impact on Boxing

Bob Hatrak may not be a household name in the world of boxing, but his impact on the sport is undeniable. As a former prison warden at Rahway State Prison in New Jersey, Hatrak used his love for boxing to create a unique rehabilitation program for inmates. This program not only changed the lives of the prisoners, but also left a lasting impression on the boxing community.

Hatrak’s story begins with his friendship with future Hall of Famer Dwight Braxton, who he knew from their sparring sessions in Rahway. In the lead up to their bout, Braxton, then known as Dwight Braxton, jokingly claimed that Hatrak owed him a few hundred bucks from their sparring sessions. But when Braxton won the fight, he made sure to collect his payment in full.

After Hatrak left Rahway in 1981, Braxton never returned to prison and James Scott, another inmate and promising boxer, never fought again. Hatrak, who had moved to Portland, Oregon, watched the fight from a bar and could see that Scott was not the same fighter he once was. “He was a disheartened fella,” Hatrak recalls. “I don’t know what happened to him, but he just really was not James.”

Despite his desire to help Scott, Hatrak was powerless to do so. In fact, he and Scott never spoke again after Hatrak left Rahway. But after Scott was released from prison more than 25 years later, Hatrak regrets not reaching out to him. “That was my fault,” he admits. “I should’ve reached out for him, but I didn’t want to bring any heat on James because people that were close to me caught hell.”

But Hatrak’s impact on boxing didn’t end with his time at Rahway. He continued to work in the prison system and eventually wrote a book, Not On My Watch, about his experiences. The book includes three chapters about Scott and the boxing program at Rahway, but the story is mentioned throughout. Hatrak believes that the program was the pride and joy of his career, as it fostered mutual respect between inmates and correctional officers.

While Hatrak’s post-Rahway life has been a happy one, his departure from the prison was far from it. “They abandoned everything that they could of mine,” he says. “Except Scared Straight, because that went all over the world.” But Hatrak’s boxing program was a success, and it gave him an important bargaining chip in the prison system. “Without that kind of peace, a boxing school or Scared Straight, none of that would have been possible,” he explains.

Now, Hatrak’s story has been immortalized in his book, co-written with his wife Joan. The book has received positive reviews and has even reached the top of Amazon’s new releases list for penology and boxing. Hatrak is proud of the final product and is happy to finally share his story with the world.

A Legacy That Will Never Be Forgotten

Bob Hatrak may not have been a famous boxer or promoter, but his impact on the sport will never be forgotten. His unique approach to rehabilitation through boxing not only changed the lives of inmates, but also left a lasting impression on the boxing community. His story, chronicled in his book Not On My Watch, is a testament to the power of boxing and the resilience of the human spirit.