THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008 AT 01:15AM
Television in Federal Prison
Prison isn't the place to enjoy television. Here at the Taft Federal Prison Camp, I have few options to watch programs which interest me. Each housing unit keeps 6 TV sets. One of them is reserved for inma
tes who watch Spanish programming and another small room holds a television that is supposedly reserved for sports viewing. An adjacent room holds a television for general viewing. Then, there is one large room with 3 televisions mounted on a wall. One of those televisions seems to be reserved for sports while the other two, I've surmised, are available for general viewing.
The trouble, I've concluded, is that certain prisoners who have lost so much in their lives cling to opportunities to control what the other inmates watch. It would seem with six television sets, at least one would broadcast news programs. Not so in my unit. As crazy as it sounds, 3 of the televisions tune in to the same show each evening. The prisoners segregate themselves according to racial or ethnic identities. Blacks and Hispanics choose what programs come across the airwaves. The programs that are overwhelmingly popular at Taft Camp include Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Paris Hilton's Newest Best Friend and another show that features the ditzy lives of Hugh Heffner's girl friends. I feel frustrated whenever I want to watch the news. Our country has elected a historic President, the financial crisis threatens to sink the world into an extended recession, wars are being fought on two fronts and millions of Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure. Tens of millions are losing their jobs! Despite momentous news, many of the prisoners have nothing more on their minds than the lucky girl Paris Hilton will select for her new best friend.
My time in prison is short. Release will come for me in six months. In accordance with my commitment to avoid problems, I don't say a peep when the TV czar changes the channel without concern for any of the others. Expressing my dismay could lead to an argument and no upside comes from conflict. Instead, I walk away quietly because I understand that I am only making a brief visit to prison. On the other hand, many of the people with whom I serve time will be here for many, many years.
Avoiding conflict is one important piece of advice I give to anyone who might be anticipating a stay on prison. If you enjoy television, try to develop a taste for movies with action heroes, gun battles, car chases and young women in panties. If you want news of substance, I recommend subscribing to a newspaper.
Justin Paperny
