PRISONER EXPRESS

Happy New Year. I know that I have mentioned to you that I live on a Control Unit, but do you know what that means? There are 6 cell blocks branching off a long hallway and inside those each cell block is divided into 6 sections, each containing 14 cells and one shower. Every cell is a single solitary cell.

The guards work 12 hour shifts from 6 to 6. Our day begins with breakfast at 3 AM served in your cell as is all meals. Each steel door in every cell has a food tray slot. The guard comes by and opens the slot cover, which stays locked closed, gives you a tray of food, then re-locks it.

At about 6:15 AM, the guards (2) working the cell block make the rounds stopping at every cell and asking "Rec? Shower?" We are allowed to "recreate" for one hour a day. This means being placed in a bigger cage with a chin up bar or, every 3 days a cage with a basketball and hoop. Also every day each prisoner is allowed a shower. Anytime a prisoner is taken from his cell he must first get on his knees, back up to the food slot in his cell door, and stick his hands out to be handcuffed behind his back. Every time. No exception even to go to shower. Some men who have exhibited rebellious behavior must also wear shackles on their ankles. Yes, even to shower.

Recreation and shower are the only times a prisoner leaves his cell unless it is for an appointment. This type of incarceration is labeled "Administrative Segregation" or the more commonly used "Ad. Seg." It was first implemented as a means to control "gang members," but over the years has evolved into a place to dump psychiatric patients, malconformants and prisoners in need of protection as well as gang members. Prisoners in "Ad. Seg." Stay locked in their cells every day, all day. They are not allowed to go to school, church, vocational courses, work or any other activity. It is unending solitary confinement.

In this environment guards "control" everything in your life. Your food, mail, toilet paper, soap, who your neighbor is...everything and they use that power to manipulate, punish. If a prisoner rebels, like currently I am refusing to shave, I am moved and the cell I am put in has a lightswitch (on/off) that doesn't work so the lights stay on 24/7. 4 ft. long fluorescent lights, 4 of them, illuminate every 9x7 white painted cell...also the portions of food on my tray get very small. And less. Instead of the normal 5 items per tray I am now getting 0-3 items...also a monthly mag I receive I suddenly don't receive. In addition, the prisoner living in the cell atop me is very psychotic and beats on his/my wall ranting incoherently all the time. All of this began when I refused to shave. And I have no doubt it will continue...

Of the 6 cell blocks one is for punishment and any time you break a rule you are moved there for a minimum of 90 days.

Other methods of "control" used are rumors and snitch/agitators, both used by officials to control the 504 prisoners in Ad. Seg. through their agitators officials spread false information or label an inmate to keep inmates arguing/threatening each other. As long as prisoners distrust each other they cannot organize to confront officials.

Long periods of solitary confinement and such manipulation lead to paranoia and other problems. Four days ago the prisoner living on the tier above me cut his veins in his arms. He was taken to the medical room, sewn up, and returned to his cell. Psychiatric help is available "on paper," but in reality is non-existent. I do not know what the attempted suicide rate is on Michaels' Ad. Seg., but I would guess it to be on average 3-4 a month.

This prison system has a psy. Unit that feeds much better, treats prisoners much better, and the first time you attempt suicide you are sent there for evaluation. That may last anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks. And all that time you are treated nicer and fed better...after the first time you are not sent there again unless it is actually a very serious attempt. So prisoners in Ad. Seg. try to get sent there when the pressure just becomes too much.

You mentioned prisoners keeping a daily journal. You are naive my friend. Several times a year everything I own is gone through, scrutinized by guards conducting a "shakedown." If I am honest in keeping a diary they are not going to be happy with what they read. I have no privacy. I will be retaliated against.

And too, by being honest my journal would become and accounting of abuses and hurts that I would have to face again every time I open it. A reminder of things I would just as soon forget. You understand? Well I'll close this missive and try to get it in the morning mail.