This letter is being syndicated from The Rage. It was initially posted right here.
Good day Reader.
I’m writing to you from the FPC Morgantown in West Virginia. I surrendered myself on December 19 to start my 60 month (5 12 months) sentence.
Surrendering your self to jail is a essentially complicated and unnatural expertise. One the one hand you might be grateful to have been given somewhat extra time together with your family members, and extra time to organize. You fortunately get to keep away from the dreaded “diesel remedy” (That is when the BOP sends you all throughout the USA by bus or aircraft, spending a number of weeks in numerous jail settings, with murderers, rapists, baby molesters, and the like earlier than arriving to your closing designated establishment. All of the whereas since you are unable to take courses you aren’t incomes the doable credit wanted to scale back your sentence.) and are available in on “your individual phrases”.
Alternatively turning your self in to be incarcerated tugs in opposition to each essentially primal intuition we now have as human beings. The completely surreal reminiscence of driving myself to the jail, my spouse as my trusted passenger, using collectively like we now have carried out so many instances earlier than. We each get pleasure from a banal dialog in regards to the climate that day (snow, rain, and hail multi function drive) to try to masks the truth that I’m on my manner to surrender my liberty, to say goodbye to our household, to start an extended interval of incarceration. It’s perverse.
At round 1:00 PM on December nineteenth I pulled into the guests car parking zone. I hugged and kissed my lovely spouse for the final time and walked within the freezing wind and rain to my new residence for the foreseeable future.
The officer who met me on the gate was a kindly individual. He provided to let me stand within the gatehouse to keep away from the blistering chilly. He carried out a breathalyzer and tried to make me really feel comfy with some pleasant and informal dialog. A second officer finally confirmed up. He searched me, counted the cash I introduced in with me (bringing in money was an enormous mistake I might quickly study), and finally escorted me into the consumption part of the ability.
On the way in which to the consumption part the guard acknowledged matter of factly that it could take till after Christmas for my money to seem ‘on my books’ – that means no telephone calls and no searching for over every week. Ah, nice. Total the consumption course of was fast and environment friendly. The Corrections Officers (CO’s) and help workers have been all skilled, some have been cordial, some others have been even pleasant.
I had worn in plain gray sweat pants and a plain gray sweatshirt within the small probability that the consumption COs would let me convey these objects contained in the jail with me. Sadly they didn’t. I used to be instructed to strip off the garments till I used to be totally bare. The garments have been thrown right into a plastic bag to be discarded or destroyed. After inspecting my cock, balls, and asshole (sorry, however it’s what occurred) the CO handed me an outsized pair of khaki pants, a brown shirt with suspicious bleach stains throughout the entrance, and a pair of low cost blue slip on footwear.
After getting dressed within the uniform that may scream “beginner!” to everybody who encountered me I used to be instructed to fulfill a number of members of workers.
First on the carousel of rubber stamps was Psychology. I mistook the psychologist for an additional inmate going by means of consumption. A giant man, imply wanting, an extended scraggly beard all the way down to his chest. In case you advised me he was on the final 5 years of a 30 12 months bid I might have stated “after all he’s”. Anyway he was the psychologist I used to be instructed to fulfill. His concern was primarily my psychological well being and if I used to be suicidal or not. Like each different member of workers he was respectful {and professional}.
I used to be then instructed to fulfill with the Doctor’s Assistant to be medically cleared. Moreover a TB take a look at and DNA assortment by use of a internal cheek swab, this was as common of a medical examination as one would discover in a college nurses workplace. As soon as I used to be by means of the merry-go-round of clearances I wanted to acquire earlier than getting into the final inhabitants I used to be launched to the primary inmate I had encountered in the present day.
Shane is an orderly who helps introduce new inmates to their new residence. Common peak, common construct, most likely early 60’s, a really pleasant Irish face and rosy cheeks. Frankly, he’s the proper individual for this function. Shane had collected a jacket, hat, and gloves for me. He was carrying a pillow and mattress roll for me, I used to be carrying a big plastic bag with two spare units of Consumption uniform, two sheets, two towels, two washcloths, two boxers, two pairs of socks, a bathroom paper roll, and a small plastic bag full of fundamental toiletries. It was defined to me that as a result of I used to be ordered to give up on a Friday, I might not get to Laundry for a correct uniform till Monday.
So, I might stick out like a sore thumb till then. Mixed with the problems of depositing cash onto my account attributable to a Friday + Vacation give up it actually felt like one other farewell present from Choose Cote who bought to show the screw in opposition to me one closing time.
Shane identified every constructing on the campus whereas I attempted to maintain up with him and retain all this data. I used to be to be housed within the Bates Unit, apparently that is luck as a result of Alexander Unit is full of rowdy reprobates and has no air-con. I will probably be housed inside the B Wing of Bates Unit, which is seemingly the place they put all of the newcomers and youthful guys. Older guys and extra skilled inmates get assigned to A Wing which is somewhat quieter.
As we handed each inmate, unmistakable of their khaki uniform and inexperienced jacket Shane greeted them by identify, all of them returned the greeting earnestly. After what felt like 12 left turns we arrived within the B wing, to bunk 25. I used to be launched to my cell mate, or “celly” Mike who I used to be advised solely arrived right here every week in the past from a camp in Lexington.
Mike is definitely 280-290 lbs so he clearly had the underside bunk. I might take the highest bunk. Attempting to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells, I famous that I could have been fortunate to get Mike as a celly, his cell was pretty tidy, he appeared mature and respectful. I felt comfy with Mike, which is an efficient factor to really feel when you’ll be residing with somebody in such shut quarters. As soon as Shane dropped me off at bunk 25 he was off. I used to be left standing like a deer within the headlights.
Practically instantly Mike was handing me some Cup-O-Noodle Rooster Soups and a water bottle. I didn’t know if this was some kind of mortgage that may should be paid again or what, however as I had actually nothing however the beginner uniform I took the handout and made a observe to repay him when doable.
Then from throughout the aisle, Dave launched himself, – on the skin a former household physician, on the within a jovial older man at all times cracking dry sarcastic jokes – and handed me a can of Coke, some Mrs.. Subject’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, some extra Cup-O-Noodles and another goodies. This procession of introductions and providing of items continued for almost half an hour. It grew to become clear these weren’t loans to be repaid however acts of kindness by gents who remembered what their first night time in jail was like, and who presumably have been helped by somebody in a manner they’re now passing on to me.
Finally phrase had bought across the camp – they name the gossip community “inmate.com” – {that a} new man arrived. Quickly I had guests from different Wings within the Bates Unit.
One gentleman had a complete assortment of sweat shirts and sweat pants. He sized me up and handed me a pair in addition to some quick sleeve and lengthy sleeve gray shirts. Lastly he checked out my ft being attentive to a budget flat slip ons that they provide you throughout consumption, requested my shoe dimension, I advised him 12.5, after some rummaging he discovered a pair of sneakers dimension 11 and handed them to me.
He defined that when somebody leaves (both to go residence or a switch to a brand new establishment) he collects the clothes they go away behind, he washes it, after which shops it at hand out to newbies with nothing – in any other case they are going to be scooped up by much less altruistic characters and be bought within the underground financial system.
Saying our goodbyes and expressing my honest gratitude to have the ability to get out of the uncomfortable non permanent uniform and into one thing far more snug I met one other prisoner, Omar, a really pleasant former pulmonary specialist in his 70s, considered one of a number of working towards Muslims and considered one of a number of extremely expert medical doctors. He supplied me some toiletries, a bag of instantaneous espresso, a bag of creamer, pens, paper, and his knowledge on navigating this new setting. Very importantly he provided to indicate me the ropes at time for supper which might be known as momentarily.
Whereas we waited to be known as for time for supper Omar launched me to a number of of his mates, principally medical doctors and extremely educated scientists. As soon as dinner was known as we made the ten minute stroll from Bates Unit to the “Chow Corridor”, they have been serving lasagna which was surprisingly good and provided in a beneficiant portion dimension. It was served with a facet of iceberg lettuce and boiled spinach. The lettuce was high-quality with the intense orange coloured (and expired) “vinaigrette” that was provided in small packets. The boiled spinach wanted salt and was fairly troublesome to eat.
It appeared like I had simply sat all the way down to eat after they known as over the intercom that dinner was now closed. I might want to eat a lot faster than I’m used to.
After I returned to my bunk I met one other neighbor, Hasan, a younger Muslim, properly groomed, match, tidy and pleasant. He launched himself, gifted me a white cotton t-shirt and a pair of gray fitness center shorts. I hung round on my bunk, probably not understanding what to do. I knew there can be a closing rely – the place we have to arise silently by our beds and be counted by guards – at 9:00PM which might then be lights out till the morning.
I frankly was very drained and wished I might fall asleep proper then, however I pressured myself to remain awake till after the 9:00PM rely occurred. Fortunately they turned the lights off proper after the rely, after brushing my enamel I climbed into the bunk, able to name it an evening. Nobody else was on that schedule nevertheless, and the housing unit was conscious, loud, and buzzing with exercise.
I must get used to the noise. Finally I fell asleep. I slept pretty properly, however awoke early round 2:30 AM. Thanking God that Omar had gifted me espresso, I loved a scorching cup after I awoke and all through the morning.
Over the subsequent a number of days I might meet new individuals, study new ways for surviving this very alien setting, and make a number of new mates alongside the way in which. Whereas in no way snug, it’s manageable. Whereas I somewhat be at residence with my spouse and household, there are far worse locations I might have ended up. I’m grateful that each one the prisoners listed here are respectful and downright pleasant. I’m grateful that the workers and CO’s appear to be even be respectful supplied you don’t give them a cause to not be.
This letter recounts the primary day on the within, December nineteenth. As I write this it’s December twenty fourth, Christmas Eve.
Tomorrow would be the seventh day I’ve spent in FPC Morgantown. I will probably be having my first customer, my spouse. I’m past excited to see her. I’ll proceed writing the story because it occurs and as I’m in a position.
Keonne Rodriguez
Write to Keonne:
Keonne Rodriguez
11404-511
FPC Morgantown
FEDERAL PRISON CAMP
P.O. BOX 1000
MORGANTOWN, WV 26507
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This can be a visitor submit by Keonne Rodriguez. Opinions expressed are fully their very own and don’t essentially replicate these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.
