It's true, you know.

It's true.

Correctional officers are called, on a daily basis, everything but a child of god.

People who are incarcerated don't like being told what to do. When you look at it from their perspective, it's understandable.

It's hard for many of them to go from almost total freedom to satisfy their id, to a situation where someone, acting as a representative of "the man," is telling them to stop walking on the top tier of the housing unit, or to keep their shirt on while they're out in the dayroom.

It makes some people a bit tense until they settle into the flow of things.

Some people never settle.

Those are the people who end up locked down for the majority of their stay in our fine institution.

For those people, a few words:

While I may indeed be an "asshole," I am the asshole who is telling you the way it's going to be.

I'm the asshole who is going home tonight to my sleeping family, a microwaved hot pocket, possibly some hetero sex and maybe a hot shower.

You are the asshole who is going to stay in this room until the morning shift decides to let you out. You're the asshole who is unable to make a phone call whenever you want. You're the asshole who can't enjoy Taco Bell's new breakfast menu.

Just so we're clear.

I'm not saying that private prisons suck, but...

...in their eternal quest to cut costs and pull in a regular profit, sometimes things fall by the wayside. Things like safety and security.

Things like this happen.

Police in New Castle, Indiana are saying that as of 4:30 PM, they are stabilizing the riot taking place at the New Castle Correctional Facility. Fortunately, so far only two staff members have been reported as having been injured.

If a government is going to take upon itself the responsibility to dispense justice, it needs to take the responsibility of seeing that justice through. Government has a moral responsibility for not only regular citizens, but also the inmates of its correctional facilities.

Government should not pay private companies to provide cheap judge services. Government should not pay private companies to provide cheap police services. Government should also keep private companies out of the incarceration business.

The only reason a government would pay a private company to house inmates is because of the kickbacks that public officials inevitably get during the bidding and construction process of these private prisons.

Watch out for gopher holes.

According to the Des Moines Register:

A former inmate at the Oakdale Correctional Center in Coralville is suing the state and the Department of Corrections based on allegations he was injured when he fell into a gopher hole on the prison's grounds.

Alfonso McKnight, who was released on parole in 2006 and now lives in the Chicago area, alleges in court documents filed in Johnson County District Court that his injury was a result of the center's failure to properly maintain safe conditions in the recreational area. His lawyer, Robert Leyshon of Rock Island, said McKnight suffered a badly fractured ankle that required surgery. Leyshon would not elaborate on the extent of the mental anguish, disability, or other losses for which McKnight is asking compensation.

The only realistic solution for this serious, serious problem is to close the recreation area until such a time as a professional can be found that can solve the gopher problem once and for all. Hopefully the inmates will get recreation again sometime in the next month or so.

I'm waiting for a criminal to donate his kidney, get out, then steal someone else's kidney.

Inmates in South Carolina could soon find that a kidney is worth 180 days.

Lawmakers are considering legislation that would let prisoners donate organs or bone marrow in exchange for time off their sentences.

A state Senate panel on Thursday endorsed creating an organ-and-tissue donation program for inmates. But legislators postponed debate on a measure to reduce the sentences of participating prisoners, citing concern that federal law may not allow it.

"I think it's imperative that we go all out and see what we can do," said the bills' chief sponsor, Democratic Sen. Ralph Anderson. "I would like to see us get enough donors that people are no longer dying."

The proposal approved by the Senate Corrections and Penology Subcommittee would set up a volunteer donor program in prisons to teach inmates about the need for donors. But lawmakers want legal advice before acting on a bill that would shave up to 180 days off a prison sentence for inmates who donate.

South Carolina advocates for organ donations said the incentive policy would be the first of its kind in the nation.

Federal law makes it illegal to give organ donors "valuable consideration." Lawmakers want to know whether the term could apply to time off of prison sentences.

"We want to make this work, we really do," said Republican Sen. John Hawkins. "But I want to make sure no one goes to jail for good intentions."

Mary Jo Cagle, chief medical officer of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville, urged senators to find an allowable incentive.

"We have a huge need for organs and bone marrow," Cagle said.

But Melissa Blevins, executive director of Donate Life South Carolina, said any incentive would break the law and the principle behind donations.

"It really muddies the water about motive. We want to keep it a clearly altruistic act," she said.

Under the proposals, money for medical procedures and any prison guard overtime would be paid by the organ recipient and charitable groups. The state would also decide which inmates could donate.

Corrections Department Director Jon Ozmint said he believes inmates would donate even without the incentive.

"There are long-term inmates who would give if they knew a child was dying," he said. "They're lifers. They know they're going to die in prison."

More than 95,300 Americans are awaiting an organ transplant, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. About 6,700 die each year.

I'm in Jail. What now?

At some point in your life, you may find yourself in jail. It is remarkably easy to find yourself in jail - it really doesn't take much. All that's required is:

a) a momentary lapse of good sense
or
b) an annoyed police officer or sheriff

Some people go to jail on a regular basis, and have learned the ins and outs of how the system works and how to behave. They've learned how to deal with an incarceration situation and how to come through the experience unscathed. You may know a few of these people. You may be related to a few of these people.

Most folks, however, do not have experience in a correctional setting. They do not know what to do, or how to act. Sometimes, through no fault of their own, these folks get hurt. This guide is for those people.

So you're in Jail!

The cops have just dropped you off at your local county jail and you're pissed. You've been wronged! You didn't do anything, dammit! You'll sue their asses and have their jobs! Screw the man!

Tip #1 - Your grudge against authority belongs on the street, not in here

The cops are the ones who did this to you, not the correctional officers. It serves no purpose for you to become agitated once you've been dropped off at the county jail. If you act in a way that a C/O construes as a threat to order in the facility, you could be:
a) put into an isolation cell to cool off for a while (keeping you from using the phone)
b) put into lockdown for a number of days (keeping you from using the phone)
c) put into intensive care, and then into lockdown for a number of days (keeping you from using the phone)

You'll be booked into the facility. Your fingerprints will be taken, your photograph will be taken. You will be interviewed by classifications personnel to determine your classification level. Do not annoy the classifications personnel. If you have no criminal history, and your charge isn't rape or murder, you'll probably get classified as a minimum security inmate, which is EXACTLY where you want to be. If you annoy the classifications personnel, there is a chance you will be classified as a medium security inmate, which is NOT where you want to be.

You will be interviewed by medical personnel. Tell them about any conditions you may have, and any prescriptions you may have. Be friendly and respectful. The medical personnel will determine whether or not you get your medication or special medical treatment.

You will dress in, giving your clothes to an officer to inventory and store, and getting jail-issued clothing in return. Be polite and cooperative. Do not be afraid to ask for a larger size item, or a smaller size item, if you feel what was given to you doesn't fit. You might be wearing these clothes for a while, so they should be as comfortable as possible.

Different jails issue different clothing. Typically you will be given a jumpsuit or pants and a shirt, underwear, socks and shower shoes. You will usually be given a towel, a cup, and an inmate handbook. Hold onto all these things, as you can be charged for the cost of those items when you leave if you don't turn them in.

You will be given a chance to use the phone. Most modern facilities have a free phone call system where you can make as many calls as you want up until the time you get taken up to your housing unit. Take advantage of this. Call mom and dad, siblings, aunts and uncles, friends, anyone you can think of who can come and bail you out. Pride at this point is stupid. Get the money you need to get out however you can.

So you couldn't get the bail money, eh loser?

Escorted by a C/O, you will be taken to your housing unit, also called a "mod." Hopefully you will be taken to a celled housing unit, where there are usually two inmates (sometimes more) housed in a single cell with a door that can be opened or closed, depending on the time of day. If you're in a really nice facility, you may even have control of your door.

If you're unlucky, you will be taken to a "dormitory-style" mod, with open bays and rows of beds. Prepare yourself for uncomfortable nights listening to snoring, smelling unpleasant odors, and hoping you won't have your things stolen while you sleep. If you're in a dorm-style mod, keep as much of your property as you can in your locker, or it will get stolen.

The housing unit C/O will tell you where your bed is. Go there, put your stuff away and get your bed ready.

Tip #2 Get along with other inmates

If you're in a celled mod, respect your cellmate, or "celly." Take whatever bed he is not in. Do not touch anything that might be his.

Some more hints to help you get along:

• Keep to yourself, but do not isolate yourself. Mingle like you're at a party full of people who would beat you to death with a salad bowl at the slightest provocation.
• Stay with your own race as much as possible. Often there are subtle racial issues in a correctional facility that you may not understand. Staying in the same general area as the rest of your race will often keep you from crossing an invisible social line. Don't cross that line. People get stabby.
• Do not ask other people what they are in for.
• Do not lie about your charges, people will find out what they are, and will probably be annoyed with you for lying to them. They might feel a bit stabby.
• Do not gamble unless you fully understand the stakes - it sucks to give away your breakfast tray for a week because you lost a game of chess.
• Do not borrow if you can help it, but if you do, pay your debts. Usually debts are paid back on a two for one basis: ie one candy bar today will cost you two on store day.
• Watch whatever other people want to watch on television, do not get involved in television arguments.

Tip #3 - If a fight breaks out, get to your bunk or cell.

As a general rule, if a fight breaks out between two other inmates, move away from the fight as rapidly as possible without bringing attention to yourself. Do not bump into other inmates while doing so, or you may find yourself on the wrong side of defensive aggression.

Your goal should be to remain completely uninvolved in the altercation and to get on your bunk or in your cell, whichever is appropriate, NOW. If your cell door has been closed, stand by the door with your hands in plain view. Do not speak. Follow C/O directions immediately. In a fight situation, or "code," responding officers are usually high on adrenaline. They don't know if there are two inmates fighting, ten inmates fighting, or an inmate and one of their fellow C/O's fighting. If you are in the way, they will go through you to get to the incident. It is very likely that you will get hurt. So get out of the way.

Tip #4 You are vulnerable.

Be aware at all times that you may be assaulted at any time, for no reason at all, by another inmate. Regardless of how tough you are, or how skilled you are in a fight, you are vulnerable in a jail setting.

Be aware of your surroundings. Watch hands and body language.

If you think you are about to be attacked, get into a housing unit officer's field of vision. Help him do his job. Make some noise, bring attention to the situation.

If you are personally involved in an altercation, fight to live. Your strategy should be to protect yourself until correctional officers arrive to intervene and slam both of you to the ground. Do not resist responding officers at all, do not argue with them. They will win and you will get hurt.

It is entirely possible that you will get attacked from behind while standing toe-to-toe with your assailant. Keep this in mind and as long as weapons are not in sight, get your back against something solid.

If weapons are being used against you, run if possible. If running is not a possibility, back away quickly while holding the outside of your arms up towards your assailant. You will get cuts to your forearms but your vulnerable nerves and arteries on the inside of your arms will hopefully remain intact. If you have a chance, try to grab something to help you keep them from sticking something inside you...a chair, a broom, a fire extinguisher.

Pacifism is not an option if you are attacked. You will go to lockdown regardless of the circumstances of the fight. That's policy, so you might as well fight as hard as you can.

Tomorrow I will continue this guide, focusing on how to deal with correctional officers, how to make requests, programs that are available, and how to make your life a little more comfortable while you're waiting out your time, or waiting for your trial.

Over 12 years in administrative confinment...?

From the Lincoln Journal Star:

Nebraska State Penitentiary inmate Thomas Fleming told a federal judge that his stay in administrative confinement — from August 1991 to January 2004 - constituted cruel and unusual punishment. Fleming, 45, is seeking $1 million in punitive damages as well as unspecified compensatory damages from corrections officials for the more than 12 years of confinement that, he alleged in a 2003 lawsuit, left him psychologically and physically scarred.

Fleming was placed in administrative confinement following an Aug. 31, 1991 assault, in which penitentiary employee Max Fredrickson was stabbed multiple times with a homemade knife, doused with flammable fluid and set on fire by inmates bent on escape. Fredrickson survived the assault and the inmates involved -- including Fleming -- were quickly subdued.

The inmates eventually received extended sentences, including stays in administrative confinement. That's spending 23 hours a day, Monday through Friday, in a cell described by Fleming as 7 by 10 feet. They are allowed one hour on those days in a small yard defined by three high walls and a grate. The inmates are restricted to their cells on Saturdays and Sundays. The cells consist of a concrete slab and thin mattress, sink and toilet. Visitations and shower times are constricted, as is the chance to communicate with other prisoners or staff. On at least one occasion in 1992, Fleming said, he was beaten by staff after he returned from a Lancaster County District Court hearing on the incident. On other occasions, he said, he returned to his cell to find the room torn apart.

Fleming was sentenced in 1987 on three robbery counts. He was paroled in 1990 but was arrested again and sentenced to 15 to 30 years for armed robbery.

I'm sure that Mr. Fleming, if just given one more chance, could mend his ways and become a productive member of society. After all, he didn't mean to stab that CO multiple times and set him on fire - the CO was just at the wrong place at the wrong time! Mr. Fleming has been a model of virtuous behavior since he's been in administrative confinement, I'm sure.

Administrative Confinment is for inmates that choose to assault an officer, whether or not they are successful. Inmates have also been put into AC for special circumstances involving threats towards officers, as well as instances of violent attacks on other inmates. These inmates generally are not what you would consider as "good people." Many are mentally ill.

The administrative confinement housing unit in the facility I work at is set up so that an inmate can get out of AC within 4 to 6 weeks if he behaves himself. For the first week of AC, the inmate is considered in ZERO status. He gets nothing but hygene items, his bedroll (consisting of 2 blankets, a sheet, and a towel), his clothing, and himself. All AC inmates get 5 hours of recreation a week, per Nebraska Jail Standards. When they come out of their cell, they are shackled and belly-chained.

If the inmate gets no write-ups during that week, he will be placed into 8-20 status, which means he can have up to three books in his cell at one time and he can start earning privileges back, such as a radio, extra recreation time, visits and telephone privileges.

If at any time an inmate commits an infraction (which some can't seem to help themelves from doing) the inmate goes allthe way back to ZERO status and has to climb up the ladder from the bottom once more.

Inmates that behave...go back to general population. It's entirely up to the inmate which direction he or she wishes to take. I personally recommend behaving, but we can accomodate you either way.

I have a feeling that Mr. Fleming has a hard time dealing with other people in a humane manner, that he has a hard time viewing other people as something other than as a tool to get him what he wants. Mr. Fleming belongs in AC until he's judged to be safe for both officers and other inmates to be around on a regular basis.