A Night in the S.H.U. ?
Wednesday Night, right before 10:00 p.m. count, the C.O. came and told Me to get dressed, I was going to the S.H.U. ( special housing unit). The S.H.U. is where they send prisoners who misbehave or violate the rules of the institution. They also send prisoners there if they are leaving the compound for medical procedures. Once I got to the S.H.U., they informed Me that I was having surgery on my finger on Thursday at the local hospital. To get to the S.H.U., they handcuffed Me and placed Me in leg irons. They drove Me the 400 yards to the S.H.U. in a van with a C.O. armed with a shotgun.
The S.H.U. is old and dirty. I was strip searched and given orange underwear, orange socks, an orange jump suit and an orange towel. I was then led down a small hallway to my cell. It was very loud! I entered my cell and then backed up to the slot in the doorway so they could remove my handcuffs. The room was filthy. The mattress was ripped and it's stuffing was half gone. I put down my blankets and tried to go to sleep. My neighbor had other ideas. He was singing, screaming and pounding on his cell door. He is apparently working on a second career as a rapper. This lasts until 1:00 a.m. I finally fall asleep. The guard wakes Me at 5:00 a.m. to go to the hospital. I am again strip searched, and placed in leg irons and handcuffs. The van ride to the hospital is interesting. It is the first time I have been in the real world in 14 months. I am excited just to be driving down the road and experiencing everyday events.
Prison really does wear on Me.
Ken Flaska
