Can We Say "Power Trip?"

Written Monday, February 7, 2011...

  Today started off like a typical Monday in D.C.I. Until after 12:15 PM count. It was time to do cell clean-up so I picked the cell up to get ready to sweep. As they worked their way down the hall from cell to cell my cellmate said hello to the female Sgt. who was supervising the cell clean-up. He then laughed about something someone said in the hall, so the Sgt. came to our door, opened the trap door, and told both of us that we were being loud and to keep it down. When she shut the trap my cellmate turned and said, “We weren't even being loud and you didn't even say anything.” I agreed, but the next thing you know she came back to the trap, opened it, and this time threatened to send both of us to the hole.

  I had enough at this point, so I said, “Wait a minute... WE weren't being loud, I didn't even say one word from before you started cell clean-up until just now when you threatened to send us to the hole. This is way out of line.” She just shut the trap.

  So I sat here with my cellmate in silence until she once again came to the trap, opened it, and told us we'll be cleaning last so she can keep an extra good eye on us. I waited until she opened the door to say anything to her. In a formal complaint process an inmate must address an officer personally to make an attempt to resolve an issue before filing his complaint. So, that's what I did. I told her that I hadn't spoken once in the duration of her complaining about my cell being disruptive and my cellmate even agreed with me.

  She told me, “Just forget about it and clean your cell.” So, I spent an hour at least debating whether I should file my complaint. I asked the swamper if we were being loud and he told me he spoke to her and clarified that I was never disruptive, disorderly or disobedient. So, I put off writing my complaint.

  After dinner and count we finally got mail passed out. I finally got a letter from someone other than my Mom and my attorney. At least someone knows I still exist and will get out of prison someday. I spent the next few hours writing them back. It wouldn't have taken so long if I weren't interrupted so many times. My cellmate asking all kinds of questions. About cars and women, the swamper passing out ice and toiletries and guess who? The same female Sgt. returned yet again.

  This time she directed her attention solely to my cellmate. She brought up his behavior from earlier and then mentioned his “card looked awful.” Apparently, every inmate has a “card” showing their past warnings and/or write-ups. She never looked in my direction at this time. Instead, my cellmate apologized yet again, and she left.

  I finished my letter and mailed it out just after 9:00 PM count so it would go into the USPS mail by the morning. After this I laid in bed listening to my cellmate tell another story before I read my book and fell asleep.

  Until tomorrow...

~J. Doe

Less To Say? Maybe Truely A Typical Day.

Written on Monday, January 31, 2011

   Today was a typical day for me here a Dodge Correctional Institute. I had Rec at 7:30 AM downstairs in the small Rec room. I pushed myself to the limit, damn near passing out while on the bench press. After that, we did clothing exchange. I tried to get out of my cell to “help” the swamper all morning but, the 1st shift Sargent wasn't going for it.

   We did cell clean up after 12:15 PM headcount and shift change. The 2nd shift Sargent let me out to help fold laundry until 4:15 PM when we had dinner. Then, I just came back to my cell to lock down. It makes it easier for the Sarge since everyone has to be locked down for headcount at 5:30 PM anyhow.

  I used this time to fill out my canteen order form.

   After count, the Sarge came and got me out for a phone call... But I never signed up...? I found out the swamper mistakenly signed me up for a phone call instead of my cellmate. I told the Sarge that I didn't want a phone call but he let me stay out to help finish folding laundry and doing “rounds,” answering questions for other inmates and whatever else.

   After the swamper passed out ice at 7:00 PM we just played cribbage until 8:45 PM. He told me he heard a number of people may get moved tomorrow but doesn't know who. I guess I'll see then. Now, I'm going to eat some noodles, read my book and lay down for the night.  I'm exhausted.

  Until Tomorrow...


~J. Doe

Rec, Cell Clean-up and Thinking About Family and Friends

Writings of Monday, January 24, 2011

  Today when the swamper came after breakfast neither my cellmate or I had any appointments but we both signed up for Rec. at 7:30 AM.  I was laying on my bunk for a while and when it seemed close to 7:30 I got up and got ready for Rec.  Made my bed, put on my shorts and my Rec. shoes and told my cellmate to get his ass up and get ready.  He didn't listen and before you knew it the C.O. was yelling to us, "Be sure your bunks are made, shirts are tucked in, shoes are tied and you I.D. is on!  You can step out for Rec!"  Well, lets just say, my cellmate couldn't get ready in time and got sent back for not tying his shoes.  I, on the other hand, went and worked out for 50 minutes in the downstairs Rec. room.  Maybe a dozen people were down there and damn near any exercise machine you could ask for.  After Rec. I took a short nap until lunch.

  After lunch we had standing count, then the C.O. had shift change.  Then came cell clean-up.  They open four cells at a time to let us sweep, mop and clean our toilet, sink and anything else you may touch that can use sanitation.  My cellmate likes to talk to everyone while I clean.  He's just too distracting and loud.  They keep warning him to quiet down and that he's so close to going to the hole for being loud and disruptive.  I try to tell him to calm down because a rule violation might get him kicked out of boot camp before he goes.  I hope for his sake and mine, that he takes them seriously so he will go to boot camp by February 2nd.

  Cell clean-up is finished and the C.O. just passed out a huge stack of mail.  Unfortunately nothing for me.... making me start to wonder about some people.  It's hard to not let your imagination to run too wild and start thinking about all the things your friends are doing while you're in here.  The majority of the time you find out what you were imagining was far from the truth, but one can't help but to imagine.  I will say one thing, you hear from your real family and friends that's true.  When you're locked up you find out who your real friends are. 

~J. Doe