THIS WEEK IN PENSACOLA.
After attending Admissions and Orientation, I was assigned a job in kitchen services. The good news is I am in the sanitation department as opposed to culinary arts. Basically, I mop floors, clean kitchen equipment and take out the trash. I work Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. It is not as bad as it sounds. Perks include some leftover food from the staff dining room. I also work most of the time in air-conditioning which is important during the summer in Pensacola.
Some guys in my orientation group received very difficult jobs. Tim (Hedge Fund Guy) was assigned to the Eglin military base. He leaves everyday at 5:30 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. He performs landscaping services at the base. That is tough work when the heat index is 110 degrees. Clearly, not a job for everyone.
Yesterday, a man collapsed on the track in the heat. His heart stopped. A prisoner gave him CPR until the staff arrived and took over. They gave CPR for over 10 minutes while waiting for the ambulance. The good news is that we were told the prisoner survived his massive heart attack and is in intensive care following emergency heart surgery.
The staff deserves an award for saving this man’s life.
The medical problem on the track caused the staff to shut down visitation on a busy weekend day. One of my cellies was very upset as his family had driven over 500 miles to see him and the visit lasted 20 minutes. Several prisoners, expecting visits, talked to loved ones who were turned away at the gate and informed by the guard that a fight had occurred on the track and the prisoners were locked down. I can assure you that no fight occurred and everyone (except the gentleman who experienced the heart attack) is safe and sound. I am puzzled as to why the staff would allegedly give out misinformation to visitors, but then again that is above my pay grade.
Ken Flaska
