The past three weeks have been quite the introduction to life in a federal prison. While I am assigned to the lowest security prison in the judicial system, I do encounter a lot of guys that have had experience in state and higher security prisons. Their stories are fascinating and some horrifying. For this entry, I will focus on just a few of the myths and cliches that seem to ring true so far (this is just a sample for Part 2):
CLICHES
-Prisoners workout all day… Well they do work out nearly every day on average. I have met a majority of guys that have lost substantial weight from 40-60 lbs at a time.
MYTHS
-Prison food is awful and a bunch of mush… Obviously from my previous blog posts, this is just a myth. The food is basically cafeteria style quality, not to the point of hospital food but just a bit above it.
-Prisoners are terribly mean, awful people… On the contrary, I have met some incredibly nice, passionate, and good men in the prison. They are not perfect and there are hooligans here, but again the majority of the guys are quite nice and kind-hearted.
I just posted a few of these in hopes that maybe you could share some perceptions or questions that you might have that I could include as a Part 2 of Cliches and Myths! Simply email me at kengaughan@gmail.com or have someone email directly here…I’m happy to address any and all of them 🙂
Brief summary over the past week:
I do miss blogging every day, but the costs where beginning to add up. Over the past week, I had the opportunity to fall into the daily routine of trying to find activities to occupy my time.
Thursday was just a normal day. I have been spending time in the law library learning about the Second Chance Act of 2007 (gives prisoners the opportunity to be released to a half-way house or finish serving their time in home confinement – aka house arrest) and the First Step Act of 2018 (gives credit opportunities to serve less time in prison and more time in half-way house or home confinement). Dinner was a chicken curry (as I called it) since it was served thick and soupy with quite the spice but the white rice helped to cut the heat. It was overall really good. I am also addicted to sweet tea packets that they have here. I am trying to buy as many of them as I can from the store. It’s 8 packets for $1.50, but it is a nice treat to have during dinner in lieu of just water.
Friday dinner was a beef brisket with mashed potatoes and corn. It was really good and perfectly cooked.
Yesterday, I formally applied to be a librarian as my work job, while I’m taking a mandatory class offered for GED tutors. This assignment involves helping guys obtain their GED during their imprisonment. Meanwhile, a librarian job would keep me out of the kitchen or doing some outside maintenance. Then, I played some euchre and spades (card games) with a group of guys. Two of the guys that I play with are here because they both sold LSD (they were separately arrest in two different states were not involved). These are the first guys that I have met that sold this type of drug. Apparently one of the chemicals in LSD is a highly controlled substance. Typically if you are guy in here for a drug, it was for dealing meth, dope, cocaine, crack, or fet. These two guys break the mold and are really nice guys. In fact, one guy found an old pair of tennis shoes in my size and even found shoe laces for them. Unfortunately, the one shoe has a huge hole in the sole, so it is not usable – but it is the thoughtfulness that counts.
Saturday was a sleep-in day since I stayed up a little later at night. It was nice to sleep in until 9:30 am, but it was really cold outside. I mostly stayed inside and learned a new game with 6 dice called, Frackle. I’m really not sure if that is just some made-up name, but Google it – it’s a really fun dice game and helps the time fly by. I also played some cards, a little later than expected but it was a good day just to relax a bit.
Sunday was the Second Week of Advent! It was good to go to Church, and I was designated to light the wreath each week (woohoo). A new guy showed up to Mass who was just assigned here from Painesville, OH. I tried talking to him, but he proved challenging – he does give off creepy vibes like you would not want your children around him if you catch my drift (yes, I am being a bit judgmental but something just seems off). I figured that I could have some connection with another Catholic, especially from Northeast Ohio. Most of the other Catholics here are from Chicago, Indianapolis, or Detroit.
Monday, I applied for a job in the library. The person in-charge of the job placement told me that he would be hiring the next day and to listen for my name for the interview. I quickly submitted my documentation, and he seemed impressed by my diligence.
Tuesday was the long awaited orientation day, which seemed more like a formality versus an actual education on how to be successful as an inmate. The staff are pleasant and truly want us to succeed within the programming, so it was great have facetime with many of the staff that are around the campus. However, while I was in orientation, my name was called for the librarian position. After about an hour and at the completion of orientation, I checked in with the person in-charge of the library, who told me he called then filled the two positions with the two candidates that he had. I was quite bummed. However, I received some pictures over the past few weeks, so I purchased a small photo album at the store and was able to arrange a little album that I have displayed – it is really special to me and definitely offset the moment that I bummed for not obtaining the position. I also received my sweat pants (Thank you, Maria). I am now ready for the winter! Just waiting on the shoes (Thank you, Fishers)!
Wednesday, we had a search again of our unit, which probably had something to do with the idiotic comments that some guys made during our orientation. The search did not last long. Then, I had a formal meeting (called a team meeting even though I met with one person, who is my case manager). The case manager is a pretty powerful position since the person creates a program that I must complete before I am released. Part of my program includes obtaining and maintaining a job here and taking a personal finance class (which is a high school caliber class required of inmates involved in financial crimes). Still bummed since I did not obtain the librarian position since I missed the call, I ended up going to the facilities department and inquiring about an electrician position. I was tentatively hired (pending final approval from my counselor – it’s a whole bureaucratic system here)! I am quite excited about this opportunity! I do not know when I will start, but my counselor will be away for the next week, so I will just be sitting tight and waiting! Oh, we had spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread for dinner – it was really good! Also, the weather was incredible – about 60 and sunny all day!
Overall, I had another wonderful week, but it is really wearing on me being away from everyone. Thank you for all the kind support and love that you have outpoured over the past 3 weeks! I would not be doing so well, if it was not for the positivity, prayers, and love from everyone!