FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008 AT 01:18AM
Sleeping In Federal Prison
Sleeping in Federal Prison can be a tough place to get a good night's sleep. Here at Taft Federal Prison Camp I have few options to address this issue. The camp has four dorms and each has approximately 150 bunks. I reside in D dorm, cubicle (cube) 58 (upper) to be exact. Each unit has 2 and 3 men cubes. Most new inmates, myself included, are immediately assigned to 3 man cubes which are located in the bright lights near the front of the dorm. It can take months or years before a counselor promotes an inmate to a two man cube. I considered myself lucky when I was moved to a two man cube in just four months.
The main problem is noise. Ear plugs help but don't shield the voices of 8 inmates fighting over college football picks at 1:00 A.M.. As crazy as it sounds, most inmates have little concern for the inmates around them. Courtesy is not a trait that most prisoners possess.
My sleeping pattern in prison is also more difficult because I no longer take any sleep medication. I abandoned all sleep aids a couple of days after reporting to Taft. For years due to the stress of my case, I needed a sleeping pill frequently. I decided enough was enough and against the prison's recommendation, I signed a waiver stating that I no longer needed any medication. Some days I have my regrets, but I feel that nothing replaces natural sleep even if it's a bit erratic.
I have six months remaining at Taft. I've lived with the stress of my case since December 15, 2004. I'm finally rounding third base and headed for home. I can put up with just about anything the system throws at me. That is why, despite occasionally wanting to, I never utter a word about the noise. I keep my mouth shut while others lash out. Expressing frustration leads to conflict and the result of a fight with another inmate is disastrous. All inmates involved in the fight are immediately taken to segregation ( the hole), then transferred to a higher security prison.
Sleepless nights on hard metal bunks are part of the prison experience. In hindsight, there is only one way to prepare for the noise in prison: drive to a local sporting goods store, buy a sleeping bag and sleep directly next to the 405 Freeway. Of course, I'm exaggerating, but not by much.
Justin Paperny
