A DAY AT PENSACOLA FEDERAL PRISON CAMP
I have only been at Pensacola Federal Prison Camp for three weeks. I have not yet settled into a routine. To me, a routine is essential to help the prison time pass as quickly as possible and to maintain my physical and emotional health. I do not have a regular job assignment at this time as I have not completed the Camp’s admission and orientation program. I hope they schedule me in the near future.
Last Tuesday was a typical day for me;
4:45 a.m.-Lights come on in our unit. This is quite early but it is done to accommodate a number of prisoners who work at the local Air Force base. They have to be on the bus by 5:30 a.m. The lights and noise wake me up. I roll over, put a sweatshirt over my head and try to go back to sleep.
6:00 a.m.- I am up. I make coffee and watch the news on CNN.
6:45 a.m.- I read for awhile out of one of my current books “Charting and Technical Analysis”.
7:30 a.m.- I report to my temporary job at A & O. (admissions and orientation). I work with 5-10 other guys raking and sweeping the compound.
10:30 a.m. I help load plastic leaf dumpsters on a trailer and ride with Correction Officers to the dump at the far end of the Navy base.
11:00 a.m.- Lunch. Two hotdogs (very small) , Cole slaw and a bag of chips. I hear about 7 guys who got written up in our unit for rule violations. 4 of them got shipped off the compound.
12:00 p.m.- Back to work raking leaves. It is hot and humid!
2:00 p.m.- Corrections officer lets us off work because of the heat. I change into shorts and a tee-shirt and go to the weight pile for some exercise.
3:15 p.m.- Shower.
3:35 p.m.-I read some more and do a Sudoku puzzle.
4:00 p.m.- Stand up count in our cube.
4:30 p.m.- Dinner. Pasta with red sauce and garlic bread. Not bad by prison standards.
5:00 p.m.- Check email, read wall Street Journal in Library.
6:05 p.m. -Walk the track, 6 laps, 3 miles.
6:50 p.m. -pushups by the bleachers, watch end of softball game.
7:30 p.m.- Shower. The inside of the shower is gross. Some guy who shaves his whole body left hair all over the place.
8:00 p.m.- Call my wife. (high point of my day)
8:20 p.m.- work on a blog, do another Sudoku puzzle.
9:20 p.m.- Stand up count in our cube. (20 minutes late)
9:30 p.m. – Lights out. I read with my book light.
10:30 p.m.- Prayers. I have finished another day in prison. (second favorite part of the day). I am one day closer to my family.
Ken Flaska
Ken,
Just wanted to leave a comment of support, and to thank you for your blogging efforts.
As a 50 something husband and father facing a Federal case, I find myself able to relate to your thoughts and emotions. We seem to face similar family related collateral consequences and future career concerns, and by sharing your insights and feelings, you’re provided me great comfort in knowing I’m not alone.
Thank you again for all of your efforts. They truly do make a difference in people’s lives.
Best wishes to you as your adjust to your new quarters in Pensacola, and I look forward to future blog posts.