October 25, 2008
Taking a Day Off in Federal Prison
Today was an atypical Saturday. Usually I’m on the track by 7:30 A.M. preparing for my one long run of the week, which in early October increased to 15 miles. Weekends are a wonderful time to run, mainly because the track is virtually empty. Running provides a sense of freedom and a degree of tranquility comes with being one of just a few guys on the track.
Football is practically a religion in prison. Approximately half of the inmates glue themselves to the TV from morning until the last show at night. Today I decided to take the day off. A close friend in my dorm challenged me to take just one day off from my normal routine. He claims all I do is read, exercise, eat and sleep. Initially I was reluctant. The past 6 months I haven’t deviated from my routine and I didn’t want to start now but, after much thought, I agreed, in part because my body desperately needed some rest.
At 7:00 A.M. I grabbed my chair, coffee and radio and plopped myself right in the middle of the large TV room. Football mania was already in the air. Two of the three televisions favored “College Gameday”. I quietly changed the station on the third TV to CNN but within minutes “TV Land” was back on. I got a healthy dose of The Jeffersons and Chips.
By 9:30 A.M. I was passed out and asleep in my chair with drool hanging from my lip. My day was becoming as long and laborious as any of my exercise routines. Sitting in the cold, institutional room was worse than sitting through a high school biology class and the biology class is only an hour. Thinking it was hours later, I glanced at my watch figuring it would be at least 2:30 P.M.. It was only 11:30 A.M. and I felt as if the day would never end.
Despite my longest day in prison, I’m convinced my day was a success. My way of doing time may only suit me. Several guys have told me that my daily routine is insane, just as I think theirs is. I’ve written previously that inmates grieve in different ways. I push through my painful days away from home by constantly adhering to my rigorous routine. Others sleep, watch television, play cards, etc. Neither approach is right or wrong.
I caution those who tend to relax a great deal to be careful, as watching the Jeffersons hardly prepares us for re-entry. Many inmates tell me that they will prepare down the road as their release date approaches. By then, their daily habits may be so ingrained that changing will be very difficult.
I’m not sorry I spent a day on the “other side” but look forward to resuming my regular routine tomorrow.
Justin Paperny
really liking these well organized daily narratives!