Monday, December 8, 2008
SIS Lieutenant In Federal Prison
I just returned to my assigned cubicle after walking the track with my friend, John. John had a tough day. Immediately following the 4:00 PM. standing count, he was paged to Camp Control. No inmate ever wants to be paged to go there. It's like being in elementary school and getting called to the principal's office over the loudspeaker. All the other children point and yell, "Ooooh... you're in trouble." Same process in prison, only we're adults!
Unlike elementary school, an inmate called to Camp Control isn't greeted by the principal and their parents. Today, John was welcomed by two correctional offices and a lieutenant for Special Investigative Services (SIS). Each prison has its own SIS lieutenant, who acts as a kind of FBI agent or detective within the prison, launching investigations for suspected violations of prison rules or policies. The SIS investigates wrong doings or suspected wrong doing among inmates and the staff.
The SIS lieutenant may learn of activities they want to investigate through a number of methods, including shakedowns of personal property. Their information usually comes from one of the many informers among the inmate population who tell officers about illegal activities. For example, an informer may turn in an inmate involved in a gambling pool; or someone who steals; or if an inmate or staff member is bringing drugs onto the compound.
John was summoned to Camp Control to answer questions regarding his bunkie who had just been sent to the SHU. Supposedly, John's bunkie coordinated a Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament in all four dorms. Buy in was four tunas. An officer overheard an inmate yelling that he was cheated - perhaps he forgot he's in prison living in a community of felons - and just like that, the investigation began. Six inmates were sent to the SHU.
John did not participate in the poker tournament, but had to be questioned since his bunkie ran the operation. John's perfect record was nearly put in jeopardy, however, because of the actions of another inmate. He faced possible sanctions and time in segregated housing. Guilt by association is common here at Taft Federal Prison Camp. Regardless of the efforts a model inmate employs to avoid trouble, the risk of being swept up in someone else's trouble always exists. Unfortunately, this is an unavoidable part of the journey through prison.
