After a hot, humid week full of evening hours playing pickleball, this week absolutely flew-by. My living quarters is air-conditioned, whereas, all the other guys have to live in the sweltering heat with just a few large, loud fans to cool them. Many describe the situation of what sounds like an air-fryer…just hot air being pushed around by the 20+ year-old fans. It is quite unfortunate that these housing units become this hot. The temperatures inside these units probably exceed 85+ degrees. I have been in a all of them to work on electrical systems, and a sweltering Indian sweat lodge doesn’t begin to describe how it feels inside. Again, I am really fortunate to have quarters that have great air-conditioning…and kept very cool. In fact, I sleep with my sweats on (as do most of the guys in my unit) since it is about 60 degrees on average. With 9 dogs in my wing, I live in the coldest place on the campus (and I couldn’t be happier). Guys constantly comment that the dogs are treated better than we are – and why shouldn’t they be?
Honestly, this week was quite a blur as it flew by so fast. I think much of it had to do with the grief from losing my friend, Tarik. I was finding things to do to distract my mind, so playing a lot of pickleball, even though it was quite hot and muggy outside. Work in the electric shop has been very consistent which helps with the time passing by. I’ve fixed quite a few of those large fans that hadn’t been working in years and was able to place them in areas of other units that otherwise didn’t have a fan or airflow. I was at least feeling accomplished by helping other guys be somewhat comfortable.
When I was researching the best “college” to attend, I had considered the different cultures in each of the campuses and accommodations. However, I falsely assumed that all prisons were kept heated and cooled since I had read about the BOP policies for keeping housing units within certain temperature ranges. I didn’t learn until after about a month of being in Morgantown that Bates was the only unit with air-conditioning. I was dumbfounded that these units didn’t have a/c and guys laughed when I presumed that BOP policy dictates certain temperatures to be kept. Given that the Bates unit windows do not open, a/c and heating are required to keep temperatures within proper ranges…again, I am grateful for my living situation! Please stay safe, cool, hydrated, and continue to be open to the little miracles in your life, even when it is difficult to keep mindful of them! Have an amazing week!