Thursday, July 11, 2014
I have hit an inner prison milestone.
I am officially eligible for placement in a minimum security prison unit. This
is actually a pretty big deal in the cosmic scene of things. I never would have
thought that I would go to a minimum yard because I began this odyssey in a
Super Maximum prison known as SMU (Special Management Unit) Inmates that begin
there, rarely, if ever, make it to a medium security facility, let alone a minimum.
Prison security levels are somewhat
complex – so I will try to break them down for you. Hopefully you will have a
better understanding of how inmates are housed in a correctional system.
1. SUPER MAXIMUM UNIT
Inmates live alone in a 6x10’ cell for
a minimum of 2 years upon entering prison. It’s underground so there is no
daylight, no recreation, no contact with other human beings and the lights stay
on 24/7. Inmates are permitted to have a television, hygiene products and
stationary only. Inmates are allowed (1) 5 minute long phone call per week and
(1) 2 hour visit behind glass on weekends however the inmate is chained to the
phone receiver and the table behind the glass. Meals consist of a sack
breakfast/lunch and a hot dinner.
This population consists of: murders,
rapists, lifers, death row and inmates deemed as ‘STG’ (Security Threat Group)
I served 2 years and 19 days in SMU
2. MAXIMUM SECURITY FACILITY
Inmates are in a cell with another inmate
of the same race or gang affiliation (when necessary) They are allowed 3 hours
of recreation every other day along with a shower. If behavior warrants, the
inmate can have a job and receive contact visits on the weekends. Inmates can
purchase food at the commissary and receive packages from family and friends
monthly.
This population consists of: Inmates
who have already served 2 years in Super Maximum, and those who have committed
armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and manslaughter.
I served 3 years, 4 months and 21 days
in Maximum Security (The “Walls”)
3. MEDIUM SECURITY FACILITY
Inmates live in large, open
dormitories or Quonset huts. They are assigned a 6’x8’ cubicle space which has
a bed, a locker and a desk. Inmates can shower, go outside and use the phone
whenever they want between 0500 and 2000 hours, Inmates can shop at the
commissary weekly and are allowed better paying jobs with greater
responsibility.
This population consists of: Inmates
who have already served in Maximum Security or for those who have committed hit
& run, burglary, simple assault, weapon or drug violations.
I served 7 years and 2 days at the
following Medium Security facilties: Barchey, Santa Rita, East Unit, Stiner,
and now, Cheyenne at Yuma
4. MINIMUM SECURITY FACILITY
Everything is the same as a Medium
Security facility with the addition of minimum wage paying jobs off site the
prison complex, more freedom of movement and less prison politics
This population consists of: light
drug charges (marijuana, prescriptions and paraphernalia), forgery, DUI, & resisting
arrest.
The demeanor of Minimum Security is
said to be unlike anything else I have experienced and it is something I will
have to adapt to.
The other night I was speaking with
Joey and sensing my nervousness over this change, he turned the situation
around for me. He was able to get me to view this Minimum Security yard as a
good thing. It is simply another step toward letting go of so many of the
traits that I have adopted in here that I will absolutely not need outside of
prison. As I have said before, “change” is a good thing and I will embrace it
because I have earned this privilege. I doesn’t mean that I have any less
anxiety about it.
Minimum….Here I come….
