. * * * * Accommodations
* * * Services
* * Hospitality
- * * * Food
- * * * * Safety
- * * * OVERALL
Please indulge me as I do a quick review of my six months in Morgantown College – like a Yelp Review! The 4 star accommodations have been wonderful for me. The campus is beautiful and exceptionally maintained; the dorms are well ventilated; and the restrooms are super clean with lots of hot water.
The 3 stars for the services relates to the education opportunities and lack of a work programs which would greatly benefit many of the inmates. The only true programming in the education arena is working on a GED. It would be great if they had college courses, computer/online courses, or some instruction where guys could earn degrees. Also, the pay here is below the BOP standard, which is due to the lack of a job training service known as UNICOR that other prisons have. Fortunately, I am in an apprenticeship program, but this opportunity is only for a select few and not readily available.
For hospitability, the 2 stars cover the disparity between what is described in programming and what actually occurs. Three stars are deducted for lack of commissary options, how poorly it is managed, and a degrading procedure for how to distribute the purchased items (like handicapped inmates must wait hours in all inclement weather to make any purchase). Another example of the discrepancy would be the uniform exchange policy. I just traded out my uniform for a smaller size. I read in the handbook that a uniform exchange could happen every 6 months; however, the corrections officer brashly clarified that uniforms are not exchanged at six months -again a disparity! Yet, I have received courteous responses for other matters, which I am very appreciative of those few officers that really show respect and authentically want to help resolve a matter.
For food, I am on the fence of giving 5 stars, except the quality has been lacking over the past two months. The food still remains delicious and nutritious, but sometimes the meals do not follow the menu or lapse in providing an option. For example, we had biscuits and gravy for breakfast one day, but they served slices of bread with gravy (the biscuits are warm and fresh – not so much with the bread). 4 stars suffices for the food service and the quality being provided.
Safety receives 5 stars. A few weeks ago I wrote about the health services that I received, but I happily share that I was called for an evaluation by the nurse (finally). My health results look better than they have in years! I am also quite safe, as far as a prison environment. I never feel like my life is endangered or that someone has it out for me. We also have opportunities to anonymously report issues and have specified emergency phones should an issue ever arise…Safety is really important to me!
Overall, I am really happy that I was assigned/accepted at Morgantown College! I am safe, healthy, and have plenty of opportunity to focus personal efforts in reflection, prayer, and solitude regarding my past actions. Additionally, the visitation center fosters a positive atmosphere and experience, which is largely due to the warm welcoming of the correction officers. Morgantown is a beautiful location, and is at times is truly “almost heaven” even if one is imprisoned.
It’s been a full half year of me being in a federal prison camp, and only six more years to go on paper! Six more years is actually a technicality. Just for being good, I will be given a year credit – so 5 more years. Then, another year credit will be given for the law called the First Step Act – so 4 more years. Wait, I’m also in a specialized recidivism program that offers another year credit, so 3 more years. Oh gosh, there’s the law called the Second Chance Act that will permit me to have at least 6 months of home confinement, so 2 and half more years of federal prison. Is that it? Nope, I will continue to earn credits toward home confinement or a half-way house, so that would reduce my time even more! Are you confused by all these credits, policies, and laws? Well me too, but these are the many factors that determine my actual stay in federal prison, which thankfully will not be a full 78 months, but less than half of it! I’m ready to be home and correct my mistakes, but this half year benchmark helps me to focus on how temporary the situation of being in prison is (at least for me) and the multitude of life lessons learned.
I remain mindful and humbled to many incredible family and friends for all their generosity, concern for my safety, and genuine support. I am beyond grateful to so many of you, especially for keeping me connected with the reality of everyday life. Over these past months, I have experienced incredible miracles, and I continue to pray that you become aware of the little miracles in your own life! Thank you for taking the time to allow me to share my prison journey with you throughout these past six months 🙂