Much to my wife's chagrin

"So, what happens if they riot?"

In the event of a facility wide incident, I have been instructed to dispose of my keys and radio (though I never have a radio), and either barricade myself in the offices or try to get out of the facility. In the event that anyone is taken hostage, we will not be negotiated for. Federal law is that will be regarded as terrorist hostages, and the US government does not negotiate in those circumstances. Basically, there better never be a riot, and if there is, my co workers and I better never get cornered.

On the good side, our unit is segregated from general populace, so if there were a problem in the facility at large, most likely all of the inmates on our unit would want just as much as we do to get away from it. In the event that there were problems on the unit, my office is closest to the exit. Ha.

So, isn't it dangerous?

I get that question a bit. Isn't it dangerous? Do you feel safe? Aren't you worried someone will shank you?

Answer: I feel perfectly safe.

First of all, it's a minimum security facility, which means most all of the inmates aren't dangerous. Second of all, it's what Oregon calls a "release facility". Most inmates come here for the last year to six months of their sentence. I think it's better setup from most states where an inmate can go from total lockdown segregation to the streets overnight. It's like a warmup to getting released.

Second of all, if you know me, I'm a physically intimidating person. I probably have more inmates afraid of me than anything else. (I still have the beard and long hair, FYI) Combine that with the fact that touching me pretty much means a trip to the hole and 6 months more to their sentance, I haven't really heard of any inmate vs. staff violence since I've been in.

Third, most of them know I'm there to help THEM, not be a narc for the DOC. It's very much a give respect, get respect kind of thing. Respect is one of the chief currencies of the system. I think respect is so key because a lot of these men get fundamentally DISrespected because they've broken the law. Sure, this guy committed identity theft or that guy dealt smack, and so in society at large they get fundamentally disrespected. Sure, that's just common sense, but it's one reason why criminals re-offend... they never really get their membership in society back, once it's gone. I myself probably get more respect, and am better liked than average because I like to talk and joke around both on the floor and in my classes (yes, I teach classes). Humor and laughter are a little difficult to come by in prison, so if you can make people laugh and laugh at yourself, you'll be well liked. NOTE: this is different from being a smartass. There are plenty of those on the inside.

Ok, that covers that. What are some things you might like to hear about from my little world?

Life in Prison

Okay, maybe I'll be able to do a bit of catch up here.

The biggest reason I haven't been posting much lately is my new job. Like I've mentioned earlier, I work at a minimum security correctional facility. It's a whole different world. So not only am I getting used to a new job, a new schedule (I was working graveyards before), but it's really a whole different world. I've gotten used to the job and schedule part, but the culture is a fascinating and new experience every day. I also work pretty long hours so when I come home I pretty much just kiss the wife, eat some dinner, talk, and go to bed. I love my job so far... I get to use my education, feel like I'm making a difference, and have the satisfaction that comes with feeling like I do my job well.

So I figure the best thing for me to do will be to try and cover one little thing at a time. I'll knock one of those posts out tonight after dinner.

I've just signed the ONE Declaration committing myself to help fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.

The first thing I'm doing is asking you to make that commitment, too.

ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans - one by one. So far, over two million have signed the declaration in support of a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world.

I think your name belongs on that declaration, too. You can put it there by visiting:

www.one.org

This is Bono's (and many other people's) charity cause. Over 2 million people have joined and are active. In two year's time, there will be more members in the One campaign than the NRA. To me, that's not a bad thing. I'm a pretty big fan of activism in any form but extreme.

I'm sorry I've not been writing... work has me so busy... and when I sit, there's so much to write or say, I can't tackle it. Went and saw U2 and Kanye West last night, it was awesome.

Am I the only one...

Am I the only one who thinks my friend Lumina:

And famous singer/songwriter Carole King:

Bear a certain resemblance?
Different hair color and slightly different coloring... but I guess the strong female jewish artist has a few other prominant genes that go around...