9:47 pm
The day began with us still under lock down and shock waves went through population when five men were sent to seg. for failing the drug test. After we ate dinner the lock down was lifted and my basketball team, Ohio States, played a game against the Florida Gators. It went just like the NCAA Championship with the Gators winning, our record is 7 and 12- last place of the six teams in our league. I hate losing but it felt wonderful to run up and down the court after two months in jail, this was my second game since getting out.
Monday, August 6, 2007
July 11, 2007
To say that yesterday was eventful would be an understatement. Someone woke me to pass the word that they were shaking down, a “shake down” is when the police search dorms, cells and all other areas of the prison. When they shake down all 114 inmates are sent to the TV room and called out by bed numbers, our bodies are searched as we pass several officers to reach the one or two that are waiting at our beds. This one came with an added bonus of being drug tested and that really had the dorm buzzing because since I’ve been gone the marijuana had flowed. Drugs are always welcome in prison because of the monotony of our lives and the high percentage of junkies inside, but using them comes with a risk of punishment and harassment. Our warden hates drugs as much as we love them, he actually gets offended when his methods of interdiction have been beat.
It took all day for them to search all five dorms and the prison is still locked down, that’s when only the kitchen workers and other essential workers are allowed out of the dorms, everyone else is held in place. All types of contraband are taken as they look for weapons, homemade alcohol and drugs but often have to settle on taking old magazines, extra clothing and other junk. Oh, I forgot to mention that before the real shake down began they primed the dorms with some drug dogs. Two German Shepherds walked through the dorm and found nothing, at least that’s how it appeared from my vantage point.
After it was over we put our belongings back in place because the police leave things in such a mess. The rest of the day was spent contemplating what and who sparked all of this.
It took all day for them to search all five dorms and the prison is still locked down, that’s when only the kitchen workers and other essential workers are allowed out of the dorms, everyone else is held in place. All types of contraband are taken as they look for weapons, homemade alcohol and drugs but often have to settle on taking old magazines, extra clothing and other junk. Oh, I forgot to mention that before the real shake down began they primed the dorms with some drug dogs. Two German Shepherds walked through the dorm and found nothing, at least that’s how it appeared from my vantage point.
After it was over we put our belongings back in place because the police leave things in such a mess. The rest of the day was spent contemplating what and who sparked all of this.
July 10, 2007
12:25 am
It's been a full week and everyone has learned what sent me to jail and chastised my mistakes. Some of those opinions actually surprised me because I thought of these men as enlightened and to have them revealing a slave like mentality is new to me. Whatever happens to us standing up for ourselves as black men and/or convicts? Am I supposed to let anyone put their hands on me, especially when there isn't a justified reason?
A day or so after I reached pop. Officer Bennett saw me and wanted to talk, but I was moving too fast to give a damn. The next day he had the "pill call" window and as I got my medicine he went into his stich about he wasn't gonna lie for anyone. He thought that when I called him as a witness for my disciplinary hearings that I wanted him to lie for me. After letting him get it off his chest I did not hesitate to inform Officer Bennett that he was dead wrong, that I only wanted him to tell the truth about what he saw and heard. He kept going about how he doesn't lie for anyone, including his co-workers, and I just looked at him like he was an imbecile. Anyone who knows Bennett should already know that he's a self righteous police, a Bible Thumping Ass kisser of his superiors.
It seems like things have changed since I've been gone, but in reality not much has. I was placed in the same dorm I left, a good thing because I thought I'd have to maneuver to get back here. I had planned for such cause I didn't want to get use to living and sleeping around another 113 men, at least now I'm familiar with the majority of the dorm. I even know most of the new faces in the dorm from seg., the jail birds are flying together again.
Officially I'm still assigned to my job as a law clerk in the law library, but they have hired three new clerks and ever fired one of my co-workers so there isn't a need for me. The supervisor of the law library told me while in seg. that I was going back in there and I said that I wasn't. Why? He hired a guy who's a rat/snitch, snitches are everywhere but having to work with one that runs to the police like a child runs to tell on their siblings is beyond something I can handle. I don't want my name in front of the police like that because they treat us different based on our reputations. Hopefully, the supervisor won't force things, but if he does I believe I can talk my way out of it with the warden because in less than one year I've logged more hours at my job than most others have in five years. Oh, it helps that it was the warden who actually hired me.
Same dorm and same job. But nothing can replace the wasted time and one opportunity that's lost, the leather shop. I'd been waiting for the chance to submit an application to get into the leather shop since I reached pop. in February of 2006 and by going to jail I missed out. Currently I'm begging the officer in charge of the Hobby Craft Program to let me in, something that would be a minor miracle if allowed because you must have a record clear of disciplinary infractions for at least six months and $200. Guess which one I'm lacking. The money is required cause they don't want to approve anyone who can't afford to order supplies, making leather goods takes money but can still be profitable.
It's been a full week and everyone has learned what sent me to jail and chastised my mistakes. Some of those opinions actually surprised me because I thought of these men as enlightened and to have them revealing a slave like mentality is new to me. Whatever happens to us standing up for ourselves as black men and/or convicts? Am I supposed to let anyone put their hands on me, especially when there isn't a justified reason?
A day or so after I reached pop. Officer Bennett saw me and wanted to talk, but I was moving too fast to give a damn. The next day he had the "pill call" window and as I got my medicine he went into his stich about he wasn't gonna lie for anyone. He thought that when I called him as a witness for my disciplinary hearings that I wanted him to lie for me. After letting him get it off his chest I did not hesitate to inform Officer Bennett that he was dead wrong, that I only wanted him to tell the truth about what he saw and heard. He kept going about how he doesn't lie for anyone, including his co-workers, and I just looked at him like he was an imbecile. Anyone who knows Bennett should already know that he's a self righteous police, a Bible Thumping Ass kisser of his superiors.
It seems like things have changed since I've been gone, but in reality not much has. I was placed in the same dorm I left, a good thing because I thought I'd have to maneuver to get back here. I had planned for such cause I didn't want to get use to living and sleeping around another 113 men, at least now I'm familiar with the majority of the dorm. I even know most of the new faces in the dorm from seg., the jail birds are flying together again.
Officially I'm still assigned to my job as a law clerk in the law library, but they have hired three new clerks and ever fired one of my co-workers so there isn't a need for me. The supervisor of the law library told me while in seg. that I was going back in there and I said that I wasn't. Why? He hired a guy who's a rat/snitch, snitches are everywhere but having to work with one that runs to the police like a child runs to tell on their siblings is beyond something I can handle. I don't want my name in front of the police like that because they treat us different based on our reputations. Hopefully, the supervisor won't force things, but if he does I believe I can talk my way out of it with the warden because in less than one year I've logged more hours at my job than most others have in five years. Oh, it helps that it was the warden who actually hired me.
Same dorm and same job. But nothing can replace the wasted time and one opportunity that's lost, the leather shop. I'd been waiting for the chance to submit an application to get into the leather shop since I reached pop. in February of 2006 and by going to jail I missed out. Currently I'm begging the officer in charge of the Hobby Craft Program to let me in, something that would be a minor miracle if allowed because you must have a record clear of disciplinary infractions for at least six months and $200. Guess which one I'm lacking. The money is required cause they don't want to approve anyone who can't afford to order supplies, making leather goods takes money but can still be profitable.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
July 9, 2007
Greetings from general population! Yes, I've made it out of seg. and resettled into pop.. The following is how it all played out.
As I expected my appeals for help with getting the disciplinaries dismissed were unsuccessful. The Deputy Warden kicked me down and the Warden quickly followed suit, but it wasn't all for nothing. I believe that my efforts earned me the respect of the Deputy Warden, who helped me leave seg. quiches than most others would have in my situation. Besides writing him a very long letter we talked about how things happened when he came through seg. with the weekly Segregation Review Board.
When I got what's known as the "final copy" of the disciplinaries and saw that he'd approved them and not dismissed either I was shocked. Those papers arrived at my door on June 7th, but were supposedly signed on the 22nd of May. Once again they have skirted their own rules and there was nothing I could do about it. The rules state that they have ten working days, not including weekends or holidays, to sign off on this. But somehow they rewrote the rules without adding the changes to the "imamate rule book" and have 30 days to sign off, anything beyond that must be explained.
Once I accepted that there is no escaping my punishments I quickly wrote the Deputy Warden and the Captain over segregation trying to get moved into the doghouse as soon as possible. The reason for that was they were talking about sending me to pop. while waiting for a spot in the doghouse during our chats when they were with the Seg. Board. There plans would've had the punishments hanging over my head for a long time and had me in limbo while in pop. because I would've been unable to tell my mother to visit cause I could've been moved anytime.
On June 12th I was moved into the doghouse and several inmates were pissed off that I was moved ahead of them. When I tried to explain how it happened they still had no understanding. The Deputy Warden and Captain pushed me ahead of them because they are always looking for guys to release into pop. and I fit the bill, when my doghouse days were over with I'd quickly be released into population.
After over 17 1/2 years of imprisonment I've finally experienced the doghouse. During my early years when I had many fights there wasn't a doghouse for death row, now there is one and luckily I’d learned from those early mistakes. When the officer processed me into the New cell they searched my property and took some magazines, batteries, candy, radio and headphones. The cell was as nasty as the others so I spent several hours cleaning it.
The routine while there was the same as in the other cell, expect there wasn't a radio to block out the day and increased things as the weeks went by. My mail was kinda slow so I didn't write much and I neglected the blog because I doubted if it would get built. I'm sorry that doubt took over because Claire has never let me down before, her dedication and love have always shined through.
Being unable to spend money to get the things I was use to having had me eating almost everything on my trays and grateful to get a very thin cigarette (illegal) and one spoon of coffee. It was rough on me, with a life so depriving I hate being denied what's within my reach. The weeks leading up to the doghouse I purchased the necessities, you know soap, deodorant, pens, paper, envelopes, multi-vitamins and candy because I wanted to prepare for not having any snacks. The candy went quickly and I had to swear off candy bars after I ate five in one day.
The guy who had that cell before me was feeding the birds through a hole in the window the size of an ink pen and I wanted to follow suit. It was hard looking at the birds cock their heads to eye me when I'd be in the window and a few times I manages to feed them, but like I said earlier hunger made me eat everything. I needed my bread! :) Other inmates fed them and they'd survive without mans intervention so I managed to still enjoy bird watching without any guilt, actually I'd be in thee window to see the women thanks to a view of the parking lot and would watch the birds during intermissions.
Leaving the doghouse gave me a good feeling and I was put in a cell under someone I'd known for ten years. Jeremiah Jackson got off death row thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Atkins vs.
My stay under Jeremiah didn't last very long because I was let out of the doghouse on June 29th and released into population on July 2nd. He and I knew that we were on the release list, #5 and #9, and couldn't wait for our numbers to be called.
I left seg. around
The prison was locked down for the rest of the day and I suspect that it was for only one day due to the camera crew being here from MSNBC.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
May 9, 2007 - The hearing
Just as I figured it would happened, Wednesday (today) was the day I went to disciplinary court. Everyday I’ve been in the window paying attention to the schedules of the police, only the three that are needed for this hearing really matter. As I’m standing in the narrow window my gut tells me to get ready, so instead of napping until dinner arrives I reread everything once again.
After dinner I’m taken to the “Shift Commanders Office” and told to sit down next to Lt. Raines. The Hearing Officer, Sgt. English, starts reading the disciplinary and asking me am I inmate Gary Hart, 246445X (the “X” signifies life without parole), Black , Male … I’m looking at this man like please come on with it cause there is no need to be so damn formal. Sgt. English starts with the insubordination charge, not the correct order in which things happened and I know he’ll get confused.
Lt. Raines recites his version of the events and concludes with “Don’t put your hands on me Joe Raines”. I never called his name when I said that. But I’m not tripping on his mistakes or lies and enjoy the process, it’s been over seven years since I’ve had to be in disciplinary court. In walks Sgt. Gaines after being called on the radio and something ain’t right.
Sgt. Gaines won’t look me in the face, but that could mean he doesn’t wanna show that he’s on my side. Wrong again !! The minute he opens his mouth I’m looking at Clarence Thomas, I didn’t know this man could studder. The Sgt. nearly mirrors the Lt.’s statement and I’m left wondering if he was mistaken due to hearing that version many times or has he lied to keep me from embarrassing his boss.
Next up is Officer Bennett who has watched too many politicians, because all he says to my questions is “I don’t recollect, I can’t recall” and that what he does remember is from hearing other officers talk about it. Suddenly the fog clears from my path and is replaced with anger, obviously I‘ve bamboozled myself, too many days fantasizing in the law library has made me forget how real justice is done all over the world.
The Lt. and I are told to wait in the hall while Sgt. English makes his decision. Punishment is already known cause he told me that if I plead guilty or get found guilty I’d get 45 days lost of privileges, I did not hesitate to say not guilty because I’ll be damn if I ever plead guilty for the same punishment that I’ll get for fighting the charge. I’ve got nothing but time and pissing off the staff can be rather entertaining.
While waiting on the verdict the Lt. and I start talking about the incident and how he’s mistaken about what he said. As this exchange was intensifying I realized he won’t admit he’s wrong, so I let it be. Soon we’re called back in the room and Sgt. English said I’m guilty and punishment is 45 days lost of stare, visit and phone. I’m cool with that until the asshole said that he’s certain Lt. Raines would not lie on me and if the Lt. thought he was wrong I never would be here today – especially with two disciplinaries. Keep in mind that he was saying this about a man who’s been involved in so many excessive force claims that he was a Captain once and every time he got rank it was snatched away again and again. If Lt. Raines had told the truth on those incidents, he’d be working elsewhere.
For the charge of disobeying a direct order I decide not call Sgt. Gaines or Officer Bennett. They’ll only repeat their lies. As usual the truth is meaningless when determining guilt and innocence. My statement was read by the hearing officer and he dismissed my reasoning and found me guilty. After the first hearing I clearly know what to expect, so I’m not as emotional. In fact, I’m smiling and tell Lt. Raines and Sgt. English that they got me and taught me a lesson. When I told them the lesson was once a disciplinary is written the inmate is already dead cause the truth is meaningless they didn’t like that.
The sentence for the 2nd charge is 20 days in the doghouse. No, not a real doghouse but I’ll be moved to a row of cell that’s known as the doghouse where the inmates aren’t allowed radios, newspapers, magazines and such. My 45 days will also start once I’m moved to the doghouse. Some years back inmates in the doghouse were fed only twice a day and no desserts, plus their mattresses were removed from the cells at 7:00 am and returned at 5:00 pm.
I’ll appeal both disciplinaries to the warden for two reasons. 1) Sgt. English was clearly biased against me based on his misguided assumption that Lt. Raines would not lie. (20 years of friendship my ass, even the Pope lies sometimes – especially when he tells parents they have a beautiful baby when he knows that rascal looks like Gaullum from the Lord of the Rings). 2) Both disciplinaries have the same number for their tracking system.
Maybe I’ll win and at least get one off my record. I have nothing to lose for trying cause they’ve already bust my head. Oh, I likely won’t reach the doghouse for a week or two, but I’ll complain about that cause the sooner I’m finish with that I could leave segregation.
May 8, 2007
Today they finally allowed me to use the phone, but with everyone else. When we come to seg. they are supposed to give us a five minute phone call within 36 hours, if you have not noticed I’ve done 144 hours. Rules mean nothing if they aren’t enforced, and as usual they enforce the rules that benefit them and harm us.
I’ve spent the last few days preparing my defence. The truth is all I have and I’ll call the Sgt. as a witness and officer Bennet who had the entrance door to the kitchen that day. I feel that I can beat the disobeying a direct order charge, but that insubordination charge is likely to stick.
Why? They consider insubordination to be any act, gesture, remark or statement which obviously reflects disrespect to lawful authority. Yes, I’ve read their rules so many times that I’ve nearly memorized them. Why is beyond me, because I know they will twist and do their will in kangaroo court. Oh, I know why, it’s always best to know who, what, when, where and how we’re being screwed in this world.
I’ve spent the last few days preparing my defence. The truth is all I have and I’ll call the Sgt. as a witness and officer Bennet who had the entrance door to the kitchen that day. I feel that I can beat the disobeying a direct order charge, but that insubordination charge is likely to stick.
Why? They consider insubordination to be any act, gesture, remark or statement which obviously reflects disrespect to lawful authority. Yes, I’ve read their rules so many times that I’ve nearly memorized them. Why is beyond me, because I know they will twist and do their will in kangaroo court. Oh, I know why, it’s always best to know who, what, when, where and how we’re being screwed in this world.
May 5, 2007 - Racism
Whenever someone comes into seg. everyone wants to know who they are and what they did. Well, I’m no different except that everyone seems surprised that I’m here, police and inmates. Once I reveal the charges and describe the incident they really can’t believe it, not because they think I don’t violate the rules but they know the charges are ridiculous and that Lt. Raines is not seen as a friend to a Black man.
Yes, there was definitely racism involved cause he wouldn’t have thought twice if he’d seen me standing near some the white officers that usually have the main hall or if there hadn’t been a new white woman in central. Racism isn’t an illusion, it just manifests itself in ways that most black and white people are unable to detect, blame that on miseducation.
Yes, there was definitely racism involved cause he wouldn’t have thought twice if he’d seen me standing near some the white officers that usually have the main hall or if there hadn’t been a new white woman in central. Racism isn’t an illusion, it just manifests itself in ways that most black and white people are unable to detect, blame that on miseducation.
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