Inadequate Prison Staff Leads to Growing Frustrations

One of my neighbors in prison recently told me a little joke he tells himself when he hears about the prison system's staff shortages. 

"Oh, the gym (or whatever) is cancelled again because of inadequate staffing? Is that because there is an inadequate availability of staff, or is it because the staff present are inadequate?"

We have to find ways to amuse ourselves through frustrations like these in prison, or the shortages, red tape, bureaucracy, and apathy will drive us nuts. 

Just this morning, before 7:30 in the morning, I experienced just two examples of brush-offs, dismissals, and passing the buck that are common in prison. The first occurred when I talked to the Captain, who was making a round in our housing unit, about the trouble I had the night before with a video visit. 

After waiting a few minutes past when my video visit was supposed to start, I asked a unit officer to call the visiting room to see if they forgot to check my girlfriend in for our visit. Of course they had, so we lost about 5 minutes (25%) of our visit time. The officer was then apparently told by a higher up that he could not extend our visit to give us the full time, though my girlfriend had to pay for the full 20 minutes still. 

After calmly explaining this to the Captain and simply asking him if he could look into it so it doesn't happen again, he passed the buck. "It's not my shift and I have nothing to do with it," he said. Never mind that he's the highest ranking officer on staff at the time. He can't (more likely didn't want to) do anything about it. Not his problem. 

A few minutes later, I saw my prison counselor (PC) and stopped him to ask a quick question. To be fair, he'd just entered the housing unit, so he probably didn't yet want to be bothered. But rather than simply tell me to see him later, he just said, "Not now!" and slammed the office door in my face. I've never interacted with this counselor before, but I'm not impressed with my first encounter. 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and just agree, the staff present are inadequate. 

Yesterday, another prisoner told me of his ongoing saga with medical staff, too. He recently saw a doctor here who is notorious for cancelling needed medications, ignoring prisoner medical needs, and her rudeness towards prisoners. He'd had a problem with her before when she refused to even let him talk at his appointment. 

When this doctor again wouldn't let him talk at his own medical appointment, he persisted, so she just sat there staring blankly at him and refused to answer any questions or address any of his concerns. Instead, she cancelled his critical pain medication after he left. 

I'm not sure inadequate is even the right word to describe this doctor. Perhaps negligent or deliberately indifferent might be better descriptors. 

The problem is that as prisoners, we have just about no remedies for these encounters. Yes, we have a grievance system, but it's so broken that it's counter productive to write a grievance. Grievances are routinely denied, rubber stamped, and flat-out ignored. And when these remedies aren't employed, prisoners are often transferred as "punishment" for writing grievances. It hardly matters, though, because these prisoners will receive the same apathetic and unjust treatment at other prisons. 

Not all staff in prison are inadequate. Some hold onto their humanity, despite the daily challenges of working with prisoners. Some maintain compassion and empathy and treat us like human beings. It's refreshing to encounter, but it shouldn't be so unusual. 

Love Conquers All Things--Even in Prison

 In a recent Breaking the Chains addiction recovery class, I mentioned to the participants that it's easy for us to think others should judge us for who we are today when most people in our past only know us for who we once were. While we've been growing, developing, and changing in prison, the image others have of us often stays the same. 

That means when we leave prison, people from our past will think we're the same person we were when we went in. Nothing could be further from the truth for many of us. 

To change our reputations, though, requires consistent demonstration of change. As one reputation management expert said, the only way to change a bad reputation is to behave your way out of it. 

It's easy to think we're going to be stuck with the damaged reputations that make people in society, and especially those who used to be close to us, fear us or be disgusted with us. Many of us desperately long for a chance to show that we are no longer the person who earned that reputation in the past. 

I'm profoundly grateful to the few people who have gone through my worst choices and have loved me through them. I've learned so much from these people who have shown me that love heals not only wounds but the wounders too. 

I've also experienced joy in prison through forming relationships with people who were not burdened by my past. They were not directly harmed by my past behavior, but they still chose to see me through eyes of grace instead of judgment. This is a giant gift and a motivator to demonstrate that their grace was not misspent. 

Christians from different churches who came into prison and showed the love of Christ to me, especially through Celebration Fellowship and Calvin University, helped to heal my soul. Other prisoners who could have judged me but instead chose to be my friend inspired me to trust a little bit again. 

It's easy to feel too broken to be loved again. We are often our biggest critics, the loudest voices of judgment. But then we meet someone who sees our deepest wounds, the darkest parts of our past, and who chooses to love us anyway. It's a dizzying experience. 

I never thought I'd find love again, but I have, even from within the terribly isolating confines of prison. For reasons I don't know if I'll ever understand, my girlfriend of nearly two-and-a-half years now was inspired by something I had written. Yet, most astounding is that she has chosen to love me in the most difficult of circumstances, despite knowing about my past. 

The love I've experienced, from my girlfriend and others I've mentioned here, has changed me. I hope it's made me a better man. I hope it's taught me to love with more grace and to even let go of the self-loathing that at one time threatened to keep me in an emotional prison for the rest of my life. 

I've deserved the judgment of people from my past, but the kind of love I find I have today...that's nothing but grace.

If You Did it, then You Own it, no Excuses or Justifications

Throughout my time in prison, I've heard a lot of justifications for people's crimes. Some people claim they have a "victimless" crime, like selling drugs. I guess the people whose lives are destroyed by drugs, and the children who go hungry because their mom or dad spent the grocery money on their next fix don't count. 

I've heard victim blaming, society blaming, racial blaming, poverty blaming, situational blaming, parental blaming...you name it, I've probably heard it. I'm sure the parole board has too. It's one reason they listen carefully for whether or not someone has taken 100% responsibility for their crimes--no excuses. 

To be fair, many of these offenders who shift blame elsewhere have picked up this tactic from society at large. We have a blame-shifting problem in this country. Still, it shocks me to hear people in society making excuses for some offenders (not all, but some, for sure). 

Drug dealers deal drugs because the education system failed them, because communities don't do enough to help the poor, because jobs aren't available for the low educated, or a host of other reasons. 

Gangs (and all the crime that comes with them) are society's fault, too. If only we'd give them something productive to do, educate them properly, teach them a different way. 

Murders are society's fault too. If we just controlled the guns, people wouldn't kill. Unless it's somehow justifiable, like if the victim works for a greedy insurance company. Then the murder is the victim's fault, the company's fault, the system's fault. Or maybe it's the fault of society's failure to manage mental health issues (there's probably some truth to that one!). 

Rape or sexual abuse? It's because of bad parenting, poor mental health help, or some other excuse. Unless the offender is a celebrity. Then the victim should have known the dangers of the celebrity culture. Or maybe it's just a play for money. 

I'm not suggesting we should find someone guilty just because someone makes a claim. We still need "innocent until proven guilty" (which I'd argue we don't currently have). But I'm suggesting that as a society, we can't change behavior when we find justifications for it. Seek to understand what motivated the behavior so we can address the factors that contribute to the problem. But do that while still requiring accountability. 

Let's just start owning our own behaviors. Either we're proud of what we've done (in which case we should own it), or we're ashamed of what we've done (in which case we should own it so we can change). Either way, until we commit to deal only with the truth, we'll just keep finding ways to excuse and justify bad behavior. And we'll keep getting what we've been getting--chaos, brokenness, and a line of hurting people behind us. 

Choosing Merry Over Misery During Christmas in Prison

 We received our "Christmas bags" the other day during count time. These are little goodie bags purchased by the Prisoner Benefit Fund, which means they are funded by prisoners' purchases from commissary, not from taxpayer dollars. It's a little treat we can enjoy, and for many prisoners the only "gift" they'll get during the holidays.

When I first came to prison nearly 16 years ago, the Christmas bags we received were much larger. They were usually $8 bags of goodies, but back then $8 went a lot farther. Today, the Christmas bags are somewhere around $6 bags, and because of inflation the goodies have gotten smaller and sparser. 

Still, I'm grateful for the extra snacks, especially because we cannot order these snacks from our commissary. I was happy, even, to see a candy cane stick in the bag. Why not make it a little Christmas festive? 

Not surprisingly, as I returned to my cell with my goodie bag, I heard other prisoners complaining about theirs. "These bags used to be so much bigger!" or "They've cheated us again! The Warden must be using our money to buy his own Christmas gifts!" It didn't take long for the general discontent to turn to conspiracies. 

I get it. It's hard to feel grateful in prison. It's hard to see the bright side when you're surrounded by darkness. It's especially hard to see the bright side when the darkness is coming from inside you! A little bag of goodies doesn't erase the pain of being separated from loved ones during the holidays. It doesn't reverse the injustices one feels every day in prison. It certainly doesn't blow away the cloud of depression that settles over so many in prison during the holidays. 

But a little bag of goodies IS something, no matter how small, to be grateful for. Yes, maybe it's a "pacifier" to keep the prison population passive. And yes, the legislature passing a bill that would allow us to earn time off our sentences would be better. But ulterior motives or wishing for something better doesn't change the fact that one can find a little joy in simple things. 

The older I get, and I suppose the wiser I get, the more I realize that we create so much of our own reality. We can't always control the circumstances around us, if we ever can. Yet, if we wait for our circumstances to align with our ideas of perfection, we'll never be happy. We'll never be content. 

This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's remember that He didn't let His circumstances derail His purpose or to steal His joy. I'm not happy to be in prison, but prison is a circumstance that I refuse to surrender my power to. Even if that power is to simply choose gratitude for simple things like little Christmas goodie bags.

President Biden Pardons Prisoners and Commutes Sentences

 I've been writing recently about the parole power of the Executive Branch. This past week, President Biden announced the largest ever single day exercising of this power. He will commute the sentences of 1,500 federal prisoners and pardon the convictions of 39 people. There may even be others to follow. 

According to the news media, most of the commutations are federal prisoners who were released on tether/house arrest during the Covid-19 crisis and who have since stayed offense free. This is a perfect example of how the commutation process should work. These prisoners have demonstrated that they are not a danger to their communities, and it makes perfect sense to commute their sentences. 

Governor Whitmer, you might remember, refused to release any Michigan prisoners on a similar community-based tether program during the pandemic. Despite the high death rate in Michigan's prison system, the governor resisted all calls to release even the especially vulnerable elderly prisoners who could be released. 

President Biden's pardons have earned more criticisms than the commutations he's issuing. The most controversial is Biden's pardoning of the judge who sent hundreds of youth to corrections facilities in exchange for money. Essentially, he enriched himself on the backs of vulnerable children. It's unclear to me what earned this former judge a pardon, but the optics of it are terrible. It stinks of one powerful person protecting another (former) powerful person. 

President Biden won't be the first or the last president to abuse his power, especially when the powers of the Executive Branch have been expanding (mostly unchecked) for decades. 

Speaking of checking, I have a correction to make from my last post. Apparently presumptive pardons, though not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, have been used since the founding of America. The first President to issue presumptive pardons was George Washington when he pardoned participants of the Whiskey Rebellion before they'd even been charged or tried. Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederate soldiers and officials for their acts of rebellion, Jimmy Carter pardoned draft dodgers, and Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon before he'd even been charged or convicted for his role in Watergate. 

I still think that presumptive pardons are unconstitutional, but I'm certainly no constitutional expert. 

On another very sad note, this past week, we had another prisoner commit suicide by jumping from the fourth gallery in my housing unit. It was traumatic for everyone housed here, me included. It's unclear exactly what his reason was for choosing to end his life, but mental health issues were definitely involved. The Detroit Free Press covered the story, if you want to read more about it. Nevertheless, I felt it was important to mention, especially at this time of year when hopelessness and depression affect many prisoners. Regardless of whatever crime this young man committed, his life still mattered.

Pardon Me, but Isn't Lady Justice Supposed to be Blind?

 The United States Constitution empowers the executive branch, particularly the President of the United States, to issue pardons for people previously convicted of crimes. The Michigan Constitution empowers Michigan's governor to do the same. This power also extends to commutations of sentences, which is basically a reduction of sentence, usually to time served. 

I recently wrote about the abuse or mockery of this power when the Michigan governor (and the US President, for that matter) "pardons" turkeys for Thanksgiving. Nothing in either Constitution empowers them to pardon livestock or poultry. Yeah, I get it. It's just a "cute" thing they do. But from this side of the fence, it doesn't feel so cute. 

Now, the media is reporting that President Biden is considering "preemptively" pardoning several people before he leaves office. I'm no lawyer, but from what I've read in the Constitution, and in case law, there is no such Constitutional power that authorizes Presidents or Governors to preemptively pardon anyone. 

The dictionary definition for "pardon" is: excuse of an offense without penalty; esp.: an official release from legal punishment. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2004). 

Technically, the dictionary definition does not define whether or not a person must first be convicted of such offense; however, I'm quite certain that the Founding Fathers intended this executive power to be used to release a person from punishment AFTER a conviction. That conviction does not have to be in a court of law. It can also occur in a legislative body, like the Senate. 

I'm really curious to see what the Constitutional experts have to say about "preemptive pardons." But Constitutional legality aside, this extension of executive power (and I would argue abuse of power) is just another example of the burgeoning powers of the executive branch. Rather than operating within the checks and balances implemented by the Founding Fathers, recent presidents (from both parties) have issued executive orders for agendas they know won't be passed by the House and Senate. Sounds like another "preemptive" practice to me. 

When those in power abuse their authority, protect themselves and others around them from accountability, and flout established Constitutional laws and principles, it sends a message to the people: There are two tiers of justice--one for the common people, and one for those with power, influence, and wealth. It de-legitimizes our judicial process when people with power can be shielded from accountability for their actions. 

As someone rightfully paying the price for the harms I've caused others, it disgusts me when justice only applies to the unconnected masses. When we lose the ability as a people to hold people in power accountable for their actions, there's no end to what they can do. And that's a scary thought.

Concrete Snow Globes -- Beauty in Prison and Other Unlikely Places and People

In my last post, I wrote about the importance of perspective, especially in difficult circumstances like prison. This past week, that theme presented itself again, but in a bit of a different way. 

I've written before about how important gratitude is, how it helps to shift our perspectives, to pull us up from depression, and to inspire us to be hopeful. I've also shared some of the things I've found to be grateful for in prison. 

Recently, we had a rather persistent snow shower that lasted all day. It didn't accumulate much more than a couple of inches, but it snowed HARD most of the day. 

As I walked in prison towards my job facilitating a substance abuse recovery group, the snow accumulated on my coat while my shoes sloshed through the slushy snow on the road. The persistent noise of prison cut through the blanket of sound-dampening snow, but the air was more peaceful than normal. 

I awed at the beauty of the snow, slowing long enough in my walk to appreciate it. My gaze shifted from razor wire background to the semi-sheer curtains of snow attempting to erase the evidence of prison. I couldn't help but notice the imposing brick and concrete structures around me, despite the beautiful snow in the midst of it all. 

"I'm living in a concrete snow globe," I thought wryly, fully aware of the existence of dichotomies all around me. 

How can the worst thing that happened in my life also be one of the best things that could have happened to me? Prison might have saved my life, but it definitely gave me the space to change my heart and mind. 

How can some of the most creative people I've ever met be in prison? They can't seem to create a different reality for themselves, returning time and time again to this concrete and razor wire jungle. 

How come it took coming to prison to form some of the best friendships I've ever had? There's no use wearing masks anymore when this concrete snow globe is like living in a glass house. People see everything. 

Why is it that some of the greatest love and grace I've ever experienced has been in prison? I thought those things were supposed to be prevalent in churches, not prisons. 

Maybe I just wasn't seeing rightly. Maybe it took prison to change my perspective. I can shift my perspective from concrete and brick walls to the cascading snow around me. Likewise, I can choose to focus on the beautiful parts of broken humanity around me instead of seeing only the brokenness. 

At times I only see the brokenness, the concrete and razor wire. Those are the times where my mind is burdened by disgust, regret, loss, and pain. But when I shift my perspective, even just a little, I see the beauty in the world around me, even in prison. 

Israel's leader Moses challenged them: "Before you are life and death. Choose life" (Deut. 30:19) Every time I shift my perspective and choose to see with hopeful eyes the beauty around me, even in prison, I choose life. 

In Prison, and in Life, Perspective Makes a BIG Difference

 During a recent addiction recovery class, called Breaking the Chains, a co-facilitator (Nate) used a rather interesting perspective exercise. He used this exercise in a discussion about fear, anxiety, and stress. I'd not seen this illustrative exercise, but I've seen other similar ones. Perhaps this one was especially relevant because he was teaching a class full of men. Nate wrote on the board:

"A woman without her man is nothing." 

After some (manly, of course) giggles and childish comments, Nate asked the class, "Would you say anything is wrong with this sentence?" 

Rather surprisingly, nearly all of the responses agreed that this sentence was wrong. I'd expected more toxic male chauvinism that permeates prison. So, Nate asked how we could fix the sentence without changing any words. That stumped the participants, perhaps because many men in prison lack basic educational foundations. In a college class, most men fix the sentence like this: 

"A woman, without her man, is nothing." 

Of course, as an English nerd, I figured out how to fix the sentence immediately, and I also recognized that the "fix" above changes nothing about the sentence meaning. After some time, Nate invited me to fix the sentence. I corrected it like this: 

"A woman: without her, man is nothing." 

Two simple punctuation marks change the whole meaning of the sentence. It goes from a derogatory statement against women to a sentence that cause most men to shrug and readily agree. The difference (besides the punctuation)? Perspective. 

The prison environment isn't exactly conducive to having a positive perspective on things. Negativity is cultivated and spread like a virus. It's pretty easy to get infected. 

Besides the negative perspective we have on our own behavior that led us to prison, prisoners often also have negative perspectives about their life experiences, their experience with the criminal justice system, and their treatment by prison staff and other prisoners. All this negativity produces a culture of negativity that makes it difficult to see things constructively. 

Like the sentence above, though, it doesn't take much to shift one's perspective. We cannot change the facts of our situation, but we can choose a positive perspective if we're willing. 

Some prisoners in these classes I facilitate have chosen to shift their perspectives. I've heard some express gratitude for prison, stating that it saved their lives. That's a great start for some. But it's easy to get sucked back into the negativity. Having a positive, and healthy, and pro-social perspective takes work. It's work that's worth every bit of struggle, though. It's the difference between being a victim of our life's circumstances and choosing to make the best of every situation, for ourselves and for others. 

I'm profoundly grateful for the people in my life who have taught me, and encouraged me over the years to keep a hopeful, healthy, and faith-focused perspective. It makes a world of difference in prison, a place where negative thinking thrives.

Michigan Governor Whitmer Pardons...a Turkey?

 The Michigan Constitution empowers the governor to commute sentences or even to pardon convictions. The process to apply for either is fairly straightforward, and many past governors have utilized their constitutional powers to commute sentences. Pardons are considerably more rare. 

In the '70s and '80s, Michigan's governors used their commutation powers to reduce life sentences for a good number of prisoners who had a couple of decades of good behavior. Yet, over the last couple of decades, the governor's commutation powers have been seldom used comparatively. Governor Whitmer has commuted far fewer sentences than her last three predecessors. I don't know of any pardons she has granted. 

Oh wait. She's pardoned a turkey. 

I know, I know. It's a tradition, both for governors and the President. But imagine the message that sends to prisoners who have worked hard to demonstrate good behavior, change thinking, and voluntarily participate in self-improvement and rehabilitation programs. Nope. Not good enough. 

But if you were just a turkey...

A good friend of mine was sentenced to life in prison for murder. There's not another crime as serious. But he has demonstrated a complete change, a total turnaround. He's not the same person he used to be. His victim's mother even advocates for his release, calling him her son now. I don't know another person who would better qualify for a commutation. 

But he's not a turkey...

Perhaps Governor Whitmer doesn't know she has these commutation powers. She seemed confused when she pardoned the turkey when the announcement read "by the powers vested in me by the Michigan constitution...." Yeah, the constitution doesn't authorize her to pardon a turkey, but she's pardoned more turkeys than humans, which the constitution actually does allow her to do. 

I'm not saying I deserve a commutation, and certainly not a pardon, but I sure wish I was a turkey. I'd stand a better chance. 

Profits Over Patients -- How How Michigan's Prisons Prioritize Money Over Health

 "Ugh! I have a callout to see Dr. L today," another prisoner recently lamented to me. "She always takes from us rather than treats us." 

The doctor this prisoner referred to is just one in a multitude of medical providers throughout the Michigan prison system who are more interested in saving their company money than in treating prisoners' medical conditions. I hear stories about this particular doctor every week from different prisoners. 

Another prisoner had his wheeled walker taken away, despite the fact that he can barely walk and has to sit down regularly so he doesn't fall over. Another prisoner had his medication stopped by this doctor, despite it being ordered by a doctor after a surgery. Another prisoner has had several medications stopped by this doctor, because she "doesn't feel like" he needs them, despite the medications being ordered by previous doctors after surgeries. Another prisoner has suffered immense pain in his neck and shoulder for years that is worsening, but this doctor refused to even listen to his complaint. "You have a chronic care appointment in December!" she stated, cutting him off. Apparently he's supposed to suffer until SHE decides it's time to listen to him. 

I could go on and on and on with examples from this one doctor. There are others, too, who treat prisoners worse than animals and for whom "first do no harm" is a joke, not a philosophy of treatment. There are good doctors, too, but even these good medical providers are limited in their ability to treat prisoners properly because the company they work for is more concerned about profits than prisoner health. 

A recent MI-Cure newsletter (Nov. 2024, www.MI-Cure.com) noted some of the major problems with prisons' private healthcare providers around the country. Four of the major providers, including Michigan's prison healthcare provider, have been riddled with lawsuits. Their horrible treatment (or lack of treatment) of prisoner healthcare needs has led to these lawsuits. Many, many more prisoners could file, and win, lawsuits concerning their terrible healthcare treatment--if they only knew how. 

Some people might argue that prisoners receive free healthcare, so we shouldn't complain about its quality. I disagree for a couple of reasons. First, it's not free. Yes, it's ONLY a $5 co-pay, but not all prisoners have prison jobs. Furthermore, since the average monthly pay is around $20-30/month, that equates to 20-25% of a prisoners monthly pay, just for a single doctor visit. That's like a person in poverty making $25k/year having to pay 25% of their income, just to SEE the doctor. 

The second reason I believe prisoners have a right to complain about our poor healthcare is that we are still human beings. Most Michigan prisoners will return to society one day. Yet, prison healthcare (or lack thereof) is killing us. Cancer and heart disease often goes untreated, diabetes is poorly treated at best, quality of life surgeries are denied or delayed for years, and necessary medications are refused or changed to ones that "suit" the provider rather than the needs of the patient. 

Sadly, the Michigan Department of Corrections and its private healthcare provider are more concerned about profits than patients. Doctors like Dr. L do not belong in the healthcare profession, so where better to put them than treating us. After all, we're "just prisoners."

Where Has the Respect Gone? It's Rare in Michigan's Minimum Security Prisons

 I've noticed a significant difference in the type and "quality" of prisoners since coming to a level one minimum security prison. For years, I've heard that level one prisons were laid back, but that stealing was a big problem. What nobody told me, and perhaps because it's new, is that many of the prisoners in low levels have little to no respect for each other. 

When prisoners have spent time in higher security levels, levels 2 and 4 especially, they live among lifers and prisoners with long sentences. These long-term prisoners set the tone for the culture among prisoners. Disrespectful behavior and attitudes are not often tolerated. Young prisoners are schooled on how to behave with respect, and more of the older prisoners already show respect for others. 

At Parnall, the level 1 prison where I am currently housed, young prisoners especially, but older ones too, lack respect for others. A significantly different culture exists where prisoners think very little of others. These problems exist at higher levels, for sure, but not as a predominant part of the culture.

Disrespect for others shows up in several ways. Simple things, like not saying excuse me, not paying attention to where others are walking and failing to "yield" as you approach (including on narrow stairs), and ignoring when someone's sleeping and yelling in front of his cell anyway are just a few examples. In the chow hall, it shows up as reaching across another person's tray or cup, bumping into other prisoners while they're eating, spilling food on a seated prisoner, and hollering across the table to offer trades to other prisoners (e.g. "juice for milk!").

Recently, a neighbor of mine had a problem in the chow hall when the prisoner who had sat down right before him put a napkin in the spot where this other man's tray was to set. My neighbor flicked the napkin on the floor, and the other guy was furious, even though he had intentionally put the napkin in the way. It led to an exchange of heated words, and then, shockingly, the guy flung a spoon of butter at my neighbor, hitting his shirt. This incident would have certainly led to a fight at higher levels, but here it ended with an exchange of heated words. Such petty things are common causes of arguments and even some fights in prison. 

Gossip also runs more rampantly at a level 1 prison. False rumors about good time bills passing and masses of prisoners being released on tether circulate every month or two. These rumors swirl with the fervor of a wildfire, and then fizzle out for another month or two. Petty gossip about other people's cases also ripple through the population at times. Prisoners with nothing better to do have their families look other prisoners up online, or they get officers to print out news stories that are then passed around. 

Being a rat in prison used to be a huge no-no, but now it seems cool and acceptable to cozy up to the officers. Prisoners who tell on other prisoners often do so with no gain to themselves. It's mind boggling to me. Other times, prisoners rat to have another prisoner moved out of the way (for a desirable job, cell, or officer favor), as retribution for some perceived slight, or simply to try to garner favor with the officers. 

I never thought I'd consider myself an "old school" in prison, but this new type of prisoner is way different than I've gotten used to. When I first came to prison, I'd hear older prisoners talk about how prison used to be. Reminiscing about the "good ol' days" in prison never made sense to me. Prison sucks, whether with "old school" values or with the new brand of disrespect. But I can't help wishing that, with the time I have left in prison, people would show a little more respect for each other.

The Number of Michigan Prisoners with Lengthy Sentences Nearly Double Other States

 The last several years, Michigan's legislature has sat on a bill called "Second Look Sentencing." This bill would allow prisoners with long sentences, even life sentences, to have their sentences reviewed by a judge and reduced. Of course, the prisoner would have had to demonstrate good behavior and rehabilitation. The judge would have to be convinced that the prisoner will be safe to release to society sooner than his original sentence mandated. 

Although this Second Look Sentencing bill has been introduced in Michigan for at least the last two legislative sessions, the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader have held it up from even having a hearing. 

Perhaps these legislators are concerned about the potential political fallout of releasing prisoners early. That's why any good time bill has not even had a hearing in the Michigan legislature, too. 

But, here are the facts: 
* Michigan's average prison sentence is the longest in the nation. 
* Michigan's prison system is woefully understaffed, by around 40% the last statistic I've heard. 
* Longer prison sentences do not equate to safer communities or to greater rehabilitation. 
* Michigan has almost twice the percentage of prisoners who have served more than 10 years compared to other states. The national average is 17% of prisoners, and in Michigan, 32% have served more than 10 years. A full 41% of Michigan prisoners will have to serve more than 10 years before being eligible for parole. 
* Michigan has 4,500 lifers who will never leave prison, without a second look option. These prisoners will never be eligible for parole. 
* Michigan has a felony murder statute, allowing life sentences for any involvement in a felony where someone died. Premeditation and intention are irrelevant in these cases. 

The original Second Look Sentencing bill would allow prisoners to have their sentences reviewed after 10 years. However, given the resistance from legislators, the next version of the bill is likely to raise that limit to 20 years. This will significantly reduce the number of prisoners who might be eligible for reductions in their sentences. But, it's a start. 

Yet, even small steps in the right direction require action by the legislature or governor. Instead, they're too focused on preserving (and growing) their positions of power. So, the problems of understaffing, overcrowding, and ineffective sentencing policies remains. 

When will Michigan's politicians finally take these problems seriously and make real attempts to resolve them? 

(Statistics taken from SADO's Criminal Defense Newsletter, September 2024, Vol. 47, Issue 12.)

Gratitude in Prison is a Gift

Fall is my favorite time of year. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. There's just something I love about the cool mornings and evenings and the warm days. Perhaps, though, it's also tied to my fond memories of working on a strawberry and vegetable farm as a teenager. Harvest time is an exciting and busy time of year on the farm. 

Something about this year, especially, has stirred up my longings for fall activities. I remember going apple picking with my family, along with hay rides and hot apple cider. I miss those days, for sure! I miss picking out pumpkins with the kids and planting mums in the yard. I even, strangely, miss raking the falling leaves. 

Michigan is a state rich in fresh fruit, but we don't get access to it in prison. In fact, we don't very often get any food that's close to fresh. Apples and bananas are the only "fresh" fruit we get (in about a 10 to 1 ratio), and they are imported from other countries, for the most part. Sometimes the apples aren't bad, but they aren't fresh and juicy like you'd get at a U-Pick 'em spot in a Michigan orchard. 

It's amazing the small things you miss while being in prison!

The prison where I'm currently housed has no gardens for prisoners, like they had in the last two prisons where I've been housed. There is one garden here, but none of the prisoners get to eat the fresh vegetables. We're also not allowed the therapeutic labor of tending the garden. 

This prison is mostly concrete and pavement, but recently I was struck by a couple of blessings we have here that I've not experienced elsewhere in prison. 

We have about a dozen Sandhill Cranes that frequent this prison, lounging around outside the chow hall, mostly. We're not supposed to feed the birds, but many prisoners do, even sometimes right out of their hands. I've never seen a Sandhill Crane this close up. I could literally reach out and touch them at times. It's pretty cool. I never knew these birds were so loud when they want to be! They are pretty magnificent!

We also have a couple (or three?) Red Tailed Hawks that nest around my housing unit. We frequently see them flying over our small yard, or perched up on a post or lamppost around the wall. Although I didn't see it, apparently in the last two weeks other prisoners have seen the adult hawk catch a mouse outside the chow hall and a rabbit outside our unit. These birds are also marvelous creatures. Every time I see them, I'm transported from this place for a brief moment as I wonder at their beauty. Who knew such beauty could be found inside prison? 

I've found over my years in prison that the practice of gratitude, which requires cultivation daily, has a profound impact on my ability to stay positive in such a negative environment. When I see things like these beautiful birds in prison, it's easy to be grateful. I find it doesn't take much to keep my attitude right, if I don't let the small things pass me by without notice. 

I might not be out in the free world right now enjoying fall activities, but I'm extremely grateful for the great memories I have to draw from. What a treasure to cherish! I'm confident, too, that I'll make more good memories again soon. 

Promises, Promises--Prisons and Political Pandering

 When Gretchen Whitmer first ran for Michigan Governor, she touted herself as friendly towards prison reforms. She even selected a Lt. Governor, Gilchrist, as a running mate, in part because of his support for criminal justice and prison reforms. 

Since she was elected, Whitmer has done next to nothing to reform prisons or the criminal justice system. About the only positive thing that has changed is greater funding for the indigent defense fund, which started under Governor Snyder. So much for promises of reforms. 

It's not surprising, or new, that politicians use politically expedient promises to get elected. Yet, it's discouraging and disappointing to know that so many political promises are simply ploys to get elected. 

A recent Republican TV ad attacking V.P. Harris touts her promise to fund sex change operations for prisoners who want gender reassignment surgery. I don't know when Harris made this promise, or even how serious she was about it, but I had to laugh when I saw the ad. 

Michigan prisoners can't even get a Tylenol from prison medical services. I personally know numerous prisoners at my current prison facility who can't get treatment for serious medical conditions, like cancer, serious hernias, heart issues, hip replacement surgeries, hepatitis-C, and debilitating pain. These issues seem significantly more important to me than elective surgeries. 

It might be politically expedient for Harris, or other politicians, to make progressive promises of reform, but the reality is that most political promises are empty. More importantly, though, is that promises like paying for gender reassignment surgery demonstrates a complete lack of touch with the real life and death issues faced by the vast majority of prisoners. 

I have an idea. How about improving the quality of food served to us so we aren't fed food past its expiration date or that not intended for human consumption? Or how about improving health care so serious medical issues are not ignored in order to maximize profits? How about addressing the staff shortages by passing real sentencing and prison reforms?

These are the real issues that politicians need to address, but empty promises that make headlines are more salacious than addressing real needs.

Divide and Conquer--How Prisons Limit Community Building

 Recently, while walking with another prisoner on our prison's big yard, I noticed a gathering of gang members. They'd pulled several tables near each other and were having a powwow. Of course, I have no idea what they were discussing, but it was clearly a gathering of at least two, maybe three gangs. 

I commented to the guy I was working with that I was surprised the officers had not broken up the meeting. We continued walking for the next 30 minutes or so when we finally saw a yard officer and captain head over to the gang meeting. The officers didn't say anything, but by just stopping next to the tables, the meeting broke up immediately, and the gang members disbursed. 

For obvious security reasons, the prison yard rules prohibit gatherings like these gangs were having. In fact, the rules prohibit more than six people gathering at the same table. During softball games, it's not uncommon to see eight people sitting at a table, though. It's obvious, however, that these are just spectators, not people meeting together. 

The following morning, I grabbed my Bible and headed out to our small yard for our weekly Bible study. It's been growing over recent weeks and has had between ten and twelve people getting together. We've been left alone by staff as our study has grown, but not this morning. About 15 minutes into our study, the same Captain came and told us to disburse. He was respectful about it, but he cited a yard rule that prohibited religious studies on yard. 

Many of the men were upset that we were being told to disburse. We were just studying the Bible, after all. We were not having a "gang meeting" or doing anything nefarious. But the rules are the rules. I'm quite sure the Captain knew he had to apply the rules across the board fairly, regardless of if we liked it or not. 

It's, perhaps, against religious liberties to stop prisoners from collecting together to study the Bible, but the courts will always side with security over things like religious rights. So, we have to find ways to study that don't violate policies. 

Since the primary purpose of prisons is security, other "rights" are often relegated to a secondary place. It's never simple. You'd think prison would be pretty simple and clear cut. It's not. Rules are enforced when the powers want to enforce them, and they aren't when they aren't considered important. 

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of prison "rule enforcement," though, is that corrections officers and their bosses enforce rules on prisoners, sometimes even petty rules, but often don't follow their own rules. It's simply a hypocritical part of prison that we have to learn to deal with. It definitely teaches humility, patience, and a host of other positive qualities, if one is willing to be taught by this incarceration experience.

Shattering Hope in Prison through Bureaucratic Ineptitude

 Hope can be a dangerous thing in prison; however, without it, prisoners lean into despair, sometimes choosing to take their own lives. Others give up and surrender to meaninglessness. That might take the form of illicit drug use, or it might look like sleeping or watching TV all day, among numerous other useless endeavors. 

Hope can also cause many prisoners to grasp onto every rumor of good time bills passing or revolutionary court decisions, or even onto promises of reform from politicians. In the fifteen plus years I've been in prison, I've heard the same rumors recycled over and over, often with a new twist to give it a hook to catch desperate people. Sadly, both unscrupulous prisoners and cold hearted staff members start these rumors. Sometimes, though, the rumors simply morph from one tiny bit of true information. 

Last year, for example, the Michigan legislature passed the state budget. Within the Corrections budget was a line item for the purchase of electronic tethers. If anyone bothered to look, that line item is in the budget every year because the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) manages the State's tether programs. This normal line item, though, somehow morphed into the rumor that the MDOC would soon be releasing thousands of prisoners early, on tether. 

Of course, this rumor was completely untrue, but trying to reason with people who are desperately clinging to any scrap of hope is usually pointless. I tried to explain the truth to those who excitedly shared this juicy rumor with me, but to no avail. 

Some hope, though, is reasonable. For example, prisoners who have been scored with a "high probability of parole" have an expectant hope that they will, indeed, be paroled. Lately, though, many prisoners have been receiving a deferral from the parole board. This isn't a denial of parole, but it's not an outright parole, either. 

The Michigan Parole Board usually gives deferrals for psych exams, community placement housing, or to complete a class. A prisoner might spend 10 years in prison, for instance, and complete all the requirements he was given, only to see the Parole Board who then decides they want the prisoner to take another particular class. The Department had ten years to add this requirement, but they wait until the prisoner is expecting a parole and hopes to leave prison within a few months. 

The book of Proverbs says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). I've seen this scripture fulfilled, sadly, hundreds of times. It shouldn't take months to conduct a psych evaluation or to find public housing. Prisoners have to tell their counselors months before they see the Parole Board where they intend to live, so the department knows well in advance if a prisoner needs community placement housing. 

I know several prisoners, right now, who are stuck in a black hole of waiting. They've been given a deferred parole, but they've since been given no updates, no expectation, no information for months. They may as well have received a denial (called a "flop"). Most of these deferred prisoners wait between 6-9 months after their expected parole date to finally leave prison. It's completely unnecessary, and I would argue unjust, to hold a prisoner past his earliest release date when he's done all that has been required of him.

I don't want to be cynical and say that the Parole Board intends to strip these prisoners of hope, but that is the effect of their current system. It's enough to make someone lose his mind...expecting to leave the hell of prison only to be told, "Sorry...you'll have wait some more, but we don't quite know how long." It's just another thing to add to the long list of reasons prison can contribute to a break down in mental health. 

The prison system ought to be cultivating a growth mindset in its prisoners, not causing constant disillusionment. It's enough to make some prisoners lose all hope.

Paying it Forward in Prison -- Recovery and Rehabilitation

 In prison I facilitate (teach) an addiction recovery group called Breaking the Chains. It utilizes some Alcoholics Anonymous materials, as well as materials I've developed on subjects related to addiction issues. After recently training several other facilitators, we now conduct six classes a week, each meeting twice a week. Each class has around 15 participants at any given time. 

In recent months, we've had a surge in requests to take the class. We now have nearly eighty prisoners on a waiting list to take the ten week class. There's not much else to do at Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan, unless you are a prisoner who has been accepted into the Jackson College program or the Vocational Village trades program. 

Some of the prisoners who participate in Breaking the Chains are there simply because they want the certificate and the parole board recognition of participating in a self-help group. That's fine. I don't mind those prisoners attending. I hope they get something out of sitting through the classes. Others, though, are actively working on gaining or sustaining recovery. 

One of the likeliest causes of a person returning to prison is when he (or she) returns or continues in their substance addiction. To support a drug or alcohol habit, some return to crime, which inevitably leads back to prison. We have some prisoners in our groups who have been to prison five or six times, usually for the same types of crimes. 

I get a sense of fulfillment in teaching these classes. I've seen prisoners decide to stay on their mood stabilizing medications after discussions in class, begin setting and working towards goals, identify and focus on living into their values, and do the difficult work of forgiveness and making amends for their past wrongs. I've also seen guys relapse, and though that can be discouraging, it's still satisfying to know they have more tools to recover (again) now than they did in the past. 

Substance abuse continues to be a big problem for many prisoners (as well as those in the free world!). That's why I focus on helping these men identify and deal with the root issues that led to their addictions. Failing to deal with the root cause means any recovery will simply move the problem to another area of their lives. Discovering that root cause, though, is tough for a lot of these men. Their lives are often marred by a history of trauma, and that makes it tough for them to know where to start. 

I don't believe I can give these guys everything they need to know to recover, but it feels good to have a purpose in prison that leads other prisoners to unburden themselves and make better choices. It feels good to be able to make even a small difference. I'm simply paying it forward after others have helped me along the way.

Labor Day in Prison Means More Cancellations Amid Critical Staff Shortages

 Today, as I write this, it's Labor Day. This holiday, like most in prison, is always a disappointment. Yeah, it's a day off work, and sometimes there are activities, but we're separate from our families. That's the part that really hurts. 

Additionally, especially since the MDOC has had a major staffing problem, holidays in prison have become another major excuse to cancel things. For example, this morning's big yard time and gym were cancelled...again. It's been cancelled almost every morning this week. Holidays are no exception. 

The restrictions implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic radically changed how Michigan operates its prisons. Many restrictions have remained, despite the lifting of social distancing mandates. Religious services are still restricted (limits to number of prisoners), visits are still restricted (2 hour limit, scheduling required), and internal fences and mingling restrictions have remained in place. 

These mingling restrictions, especially in a level 1 low security prison, were very uncommon prior to the pandemic. Holidays saw large events on big yard times -- concerts, softball and corn hole games, and people making and sharing food. Now, you can hardly tell it's a holiday, except that everything is cancelled (library, classes, etc.) due to the holiday. And "staffing shortages" mean our yard times and recreational activities are cancelled too. 

I know prison isn't supposed to be "fun," but when prisoners have nothing to do, nothing to keep them busy, their energy is spent in other ways. And those ways are not very often productive. 

It's a beautiful day out, though, so I'm going to make the best of it, get some sun, talk with some other prisoners, and keep my attitude positive as I look forward to future Labor Days spent with my family, doing what I want and eating what I want. Those days can't come soon enough!

Prison Staffing Shortages Lead to Mental Health Crises

 The Michigan Department of Corrections continues to be plagued by staffing issues, and the shortage has been increasingly affecting how the prisons are operated. 

From time to time, each prison cancels things like weight pit, yard time, gym time, etc. for various reasons. Lately, however, the cancellations have been increasingly regular and almost always due to "staff shortages." When recreational activities and times are cancelled, especially on a regular basis, it increases the anxiety and frustration among prisoners. This, too, has a negative effect on the corrections officers, because they have to deal with the resulting drama in the housing units. 

According to a recent news report, the Department is 36% short on their staffing. At some prisons, the shortages are closer to 50%. Consequently, officers are required to work double shifts on a regular basis, taking them away from their families and lives, and leading to mental health crises among staff. 

Families of corrections officers are so fed up with the unreasonable demands on their loved ones that they, and non-custody staff, have been picketing in recent weeks at several prisons around the state. Corrections officers themselves are not allowed to picket, but that doesn't stop those who care about them from doing so. 

After another recent cancellation, one officer suggested to me that the only way something would change is if the prisoners stood up together and "did something" about it. I was taken aback at his suggestion, which is tantamount to inviting exactly what the prison system does not want. I also thought it was incredibly selfish for him to make this suggestion. 

If prisoners even so much as write a petition together, it could result in the severest class of misconduct tickets, time spent in segregation, transfer to a maximum security level, and even potentially new charges. This officer knows he cannot protest his working conditions without risking losing his job, but he also knows that prisoners risk far more if we protest. 

Yet, this officer suggests we sacrifice ourselves for HIS cause. It's ludicrous! Yes, we are losing important privileges because of staffing shortages, and yes, that results in a serious decline in mental health among prisoners and staff. But it makes no logical sense for prisoners to make the sacrifice for officers to have better working conditions. What's in it for us? 

Michigan's governor has the power to make this crisis better, but so far she has done nothing except spend large amounts of money on ineffective and laughable marketing messages. Who would want to work in such a place where employees are taken advantage of and treated so poorly? I wouldn't wish this job on my worst enemy.

Traumatic Fall Ought to Break Hearts, Not Just Bones

 This past week, we had another traumatic experience in my housing unit. About a year ago, a distraught prisoner jumped from the second gallery in an attempt to end his life. He did not die, though the severity of his injuries probably made him desperately wish he had. 

This week another prisoner fell from the third gallery, about 25-30 feet down. He did not jump, but he rolled under the railing after falling and trying to get back up. He was apparently high after smoking something he bought in prison. I doubt he intended to fall. 

He, too, lived, though from what I hear his body is also very badly broken. Fortunately for him, a shower partition wall somewhat broke his fall, otherwise I'm sure he'd be dead or even worse off than he is. 

This fall happened around 8:15 at night, and our housing unit was closed for the rest of the night as the administration brought in an ambulance and then investigated what happened. To the administration's credit, they made a concerted effort to track down the sequence of events and hold the appropriate people accountable. 

One major thing differed this time compared to when the prisoner jumped. The next day, during our morning count time, four psychologists came cell to cell asking if we needed to talk or if we were okay. While I did not need to talk, I was extremely grateful for the gesture. Kudos to the administration, again. 

I'm not afraid to praise the Department when they get things right. It happens rarely enough that I think it's only right to highlight it. I would like to see some serious changes to the railing system, however. Our housing unit has five floors, and each floor above the base has four foot high two inch tube railings, but there is no cage or fencing. It's far too easy for a person, or even an object, to fall (or jump) from up to 40 feet in the air and land on someone below. I doubt that will change, unless someone files a lawsuit, but that's unlikely. 

What is also unlikely to change, sadly, is the responses, among both staff and prisoners, to these tragic events. Some have compassion and empathy, but others respond in cold cynicism. Yes, the prisoner was an idiot for smoking something illicit, but that doesn't mean he deserved what happened to him. 

It's easy to criticize staff for their cold cynicism, and frankly they ought to set an example of compassion. But, it's among prisoners that I hear the most disgusting comments. If we can't have compassion among ourselves, and treat each other with the dignity we demand of the system, how can we possibly expect the prison system to offer us compassion? 

I recognize the dynamic of using humor to deal with traumatic experiences. I was an EMT for a short while, and it's a common response in that field. But it's also common for people to treat you like you demand of them. When we, as prisoners, don't treat each other with dignity and respect, we ought to not be surprised when the prison system doesn't either. 

Erecting barriers to prevent falls or jumps is a good start to solve facility issues that contribute to that particular problem, but it's the structural issues among prisoners and between prisoners and staff that are the bigger problem. And that problem is a LOT more complicated to solve because it requires changing hearts and minds.