January 8, 2014
My 5th Day at Taft Federal Prison Camp.
It’s 5:15 pm as I sit in my cubicle on my 5th day at the Taft Federal Prison Camp. Just got back from dinner at the chow hall. (What I call the early bird special.)
I was very unsure exactly what to expect, even though my friend Justin Paperny had given me the run down. I was assigned to D dorm which is upstairs and given a top bunk at the front of the dorm. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed by other inmates with almost “open arms”. They showed me where my bunk was and immediately started passing a bag around amongst the 125 other inmates for donations to help me get on my feet. I received lots of food and snacks and was completely shocked at how kind and willing to help everyone was. Immediately I felt a sense of relief. I could not believe that this was prison.
I have been trying to get into a routine this first week of my stay. Waking early to do a little reading before breakfast while it’s still quiet in my dorm. Then after breakfast, reading for a few hours before lunch. After lunch I usually head out to the “yard,” run a few laps, and do my pushups and pull-ups.
I plan on spending my time here (which should be les than 20 months) working hard to prepare myself for life after prison. I was disappointed to learn when I got here that I arrived a few weeks late to register for spring correspondence classes through Taft Community College. So, I will have to wait till fall, but in the meantime I will educate myself through reading. My goal was to read 4 books a month and I’ve already read 2 ½ in five days.
I will update you all again soon with my progress. I thank you all for your support. It means the world to me.
Warren Schultz