The week began with near record lows between -9 and -11 degrees Fahrenheit, even colder with the wind chill. As much of the US experienced the wrath of the polar vortex, like the record snow in Florida, Monday was a federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King and of course the inauguration of Donald Trump 2.0. During the frigid day, we were kept warm by a delicious holiday meal of BBQ chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and a Little Debbie Christmas Tree, which had expired two weeks earlier. Throughout the week, media headlines focused on Trump and what seems to be the endless parade of executive orders, which fulfilled many campaign promises for better or for worse. Trump's political actions are synonymous with controversies: national emergency at border, full pardons for the J6ers, tariffs on exports, oil drilling, saving TikTok (certainly the most important for young people), etc.
With the record lows, the geese and ducks have been quite active flocking to the meal hall for crumbs. Some inmates had been active too. My housing area was searched on Thursday, which occurs every few weeks, but it had been nearly 2 months since the last search. Searches mean that a group of correctional officers inspect living quarters and bunk areas. They unlock our lockers and just check to ensure that all our belongings align with approved items. Some guys, who like to stay on "crime time" or not fully adhering to prison rules, engage in other activities like using cell phones, smoking cigarettes and vapes, or possessing pornographic materials. They will often hide these items in common areas, like a bathroom or a TV room. A vape and small cell phone fits in an electrical outlet (I've seen the remnants of these outlets when they disconnect the electricity) or remove back panels on the washer and dryer machines, or covers on radiator heaters. During this last search, it is rumored that 8 cell phones and several vapes were found and confiscated. One officer used a screw driver to remove a small ceiling plate in a bathroom. Once removed, he reached into the dark of the hole and found a bag full of prison wine or hooch. As he dragged the bag toward the opening, it ripped and the contents gushed on the officer covering him in a cold, smelly liquid syrup (quite the occupational hazard). As punishment for all this discovered contraband, all televisions in our housing unit have been shut off for the foreseeable future. Aside: As I've learned from other guys and shared in a prior post, prison wine consists of fruit juice, lots of sugar, and an activator like yeast or citrus peals. The contents are shaken in a bag and stored in a dark environment to allow the fermentation to activate. After a week, the juicy concoction turns into a fortified "wine".
On Friday, the band played for the alcohol/drug program graduation (my 9th graduation). We humorously dedicated a song, "Closing Time" by Semisonic, to the closing of FPC Morgantown. While I do not have any update on the closing of this prison, I do know that I will be transferring to another prison very soon, probably within the next two weeks. I will definitely provide information when this happens. I really appreciate you taking time to check-in with me. I hope you have a wonderfully warm week and continue to be mindful of any little miracle in your life 🙂