Trying to Make Sense of Nonsense in Prison

 "It makes no sense!" one prisoner complained to another on his way to chow. "First, they lock the close contact prisoners in the dayroom," the first prisoner continued, "then they let the prisoners who tested positive for Covid run around the housing unit with those who tested negative." His comments came the morning after more Covid testing resulted in twenty-four positive tests in our housing unit. 

"Are you trying to make sense of what the administration does around here?" the second prisoner asked sarcastically. "You know how it is in prison. Common sense is not common, and logic is totally missing."  

This scene, which actually took place on a recent morning walk to breakfast, is common to hear in prison. Prisoners complain about the illogical decision making of the prison administration and prison guards. Usually, after the prisoner grumbles for a minute or two, either reality dawns on him, or someone reminds him of reality. Administrative decisions in prison are often illogical. It's illogical to expect otherwise. 

But it's difficult to not be perplexed by the complete idiocy of some decisions. I suppose several possibilities for this idiocy exists. Perhaps decisions are made out of ignorance. Or, they could be driven by bureaucratic rules that often make no sense on the application level. Finally, and the one most prisoners default to blaming, is idiotic decisions might have nefarious motives. 

When, for example, the twenty-four prisoners in our housing unit who tested positive for Covid-19 were recently allowed to roam around the housing unit for hours before they were moved, it made no sense. They were unnecessarily exposing those of us who tested negative. When their bunkies, who tested negative but were deemed "close contact," were locked in the dayroom for hours during this same time, the decision felt beyond idiotic. At first, many of us believed it was bureaucratic nonsense that led to this decision, but then we heard the officers talking. They were aware of the stupidity of such actions, and they laughed about it. 

Prisoners are often cynical about decisions made by prison staff, and sometimes those decisions, while illogical on their face, have at least a reasonable motive behind them. This is not one of those cases. Despite department claims that it is doing all it can to protect its wards (us prisoners), those public relations sound bites ring hollow. Instead of being driven by the goal to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it often feels like decisions are driven by low staff levels and hazard pay bonuses available during outbreak statuses. 

I admit, prison has made me highly cynical of bureaucrats, especially of those who thumb their noses at rules, laws, and common decency while punishing me for breaking the law. It's difficult to not feel jaded at a time like this. Yet, despite the prison administration's best attempts to spread the virus around, I'll continue to take all available measures in this highly congested system to protect myself.