In mid-September, a fellow inmate approached me to ask if I would be able to help him with his job. He was in a bind; he confided that he was transferring to another prison to be closer to home. Since the transfer was pending, he asked for my strict confidence (he was a former bunkie from early 2023, so an element of trust was already established). He shared that I’ve already been approved for succession and that he was going to train me. The job entailed preparing payroll for about 50 guys. Remember, we don’t receive much money, typically guys earn between $.60 to $100 per month. I would have to learn how to complete timesheets and obtain staff signatures to approve the final payroll. He showed me half the paperwork that he completed for September, and I helped him with the other half of the paperwork.
Since October begins the new fiscal calendar for the government, budget approvals were pending. The guy introduced me to the staff member overseeing the job, and she handed me blank timesheets for October. The guy told me that there wasn’t anything to do until the budgets were approved. On this past Monday, the guy informed me that he was transferring the next morning, so he asked me to meet with the staff supervisor. I did, and she told me to return the next day to meet with another staff member. On Tuesday (the next day), the guy left, and I went to the staff supervisor, who instructed me to meet with a head officer. When I met with the officer, he simply quipped that someone else was hired. I was perplexed by this situation since I thought that I was helping out the guy who left. I didn’t know that someone else was already hired. Oddly, the guy who left wanted my assurance that I would submit his timesheet so that he could get paid for the month. He manipulated the situation knowing that I was not going to be hired, but he was hoping that I would be able to complete his timesheet.
Then, Wednesday at lunchtime, the officer who told me that I didn’t have the job approached me while I was eating and asked, “Where is the folder that you were given?” Since I had not been given any folder, I respectfully replied that I had not received any folder from the guy who left. He asked that I just go and get the folder and give it to him since he thought I was holding a grudge for not being hired. I already have a job as an electrician apprenticeship which I was not going to leave, so no grudge at all. Confused, I replied that I didn’t have any folder. I am not sure what was in the folder, but most guys on campus could tell you that the guy who left carried this folder everywhere on his person. During weekday lunches, the warden, officers, and other staff members gather outside the dining hall so they could be approached if you have any questions or need to speak with them. When lunch ended, I walked out of the dining hall and was called to attention by a lieutenant within this gaggle. Lieutenants are the high ranking officers that you definitely do not want to engage with since they are the disciplinary enforcers. Being called by name is never good. The situation of being surrounded by two lieutenants and a special correctional officer in front of the warden, staff, and the whole inmate body is intimidating. Again, I respectfully told all three of them that I never received a folder and did not know what exactly they were referring to. Understanding the severity of the situation, I quickly went to obtain the blank timesheets and show them that these were the only items that I had – no folder. Then, the group realized that I had nothing to do with this folder: potential crisis averted.
To date, I am not even sure what was in that mysterious folder and definitely did not want any part of it! I later learned that the guy who left was not approved to train me, and I was not in line for succession. Apparently, he pulled the same cloak and dagger on another guy. Sheesh, even at my age, I am still schooled with life lessons, especially this one on gullible susceptibility. I truly wanted to help this guy and was excited that he was going to be moved closer to his family. In fact, I helped him draft his request for the transfer. He was a former bunkmate, and I never thought he had an ulterior motive. I learned to be more aware and confirm facts, especially when they are whispered. I share this particular story since it captures the manipulative nature of so many of the guys in prison. It’s actually quite tragic that this behavior is a norm here. Thank you for continued support and encouragement simply by visiting this blog. I look forward to the day that I do not have to deal with prison whispers and constantly doubting someone’s integrity and genuineness. Have a wonderful week and continue to be mindful of any little miracle in your life this week 🙂