Sunday, December 7, 2008
SHU Or Hole In Federal Prison
Prison camp isn't exciting enough for some inmates. "Camp Snoopy", as Taft is often called, doesn't provide the drama many crave and desire. Rather than focus on goals that will prepare them for a meaningful law abiding life upon release, some deliberately violate prison rules to help pass the time. Prison violations include: fighting, gambling, expressing defiance towards an employee of the institution, stealing food from the chow hall and not reporting to work. The result of such conduct will land an inmate in the SHU.
The Segregation Housing Unit (aka "the hole"), is contained in it own building within the fences of the low security prison adjacent to Taft Camp. I've been told the living conditions are similar to a county jail. When prisoners are sent to the SHU they lose access to privileges available to those in the general population. As an example, they are restricted to their closet-sized rooms for 23 hours each day. Each prisoner is usually isolated; however, with current crowded prison conditions, they are often confined in small quarters with one or two other prisoners. Lately, occupancy in the SHU has been high and some inmates have been forced to sleep on the floor. This was the case with my friend, Albert.
Albert's position as a cook requires that he report to the chow hall five days a week at 3:30 A.M. It's the worst job in the kitchen. He had repeatedly pleaded with the head kitchen officer to transfer jobs, but to no avail. Like only Albert can do, he expressed his outrage and the institution responded by placing him in the hole for 30 days, 24 of which were spent sleeping on the floor. Moving forward, Albert promises he'll keep his mouth shut.
In addition to the uncomfortable sleeping conditions, prisoners in the SHU have limited access to mail, commissary, exercise, reading materials, telephone and fresh air. Time in the hole exacerbates the pains of confinement and inmates who remain there for extended periods may become disoriented. I've heard stories of inmates banging on the walls and doors for hours simply to relieve the boredom.
Justin Paperny
