This letter is being syndicated from The Rage. It was initially posted right here.
Good day Reader.
I’m writing to you from the FPC Morgantown in West Virginia. I surrendered myself on December 19 to start my 60 month (5 yr) sentence.
Surrendering your self to jail is a essentially complicated and unnatural expertise. One the one hand you’re grateful to have been given slightly extra time along with your family members, and extra time to organize. You fortunately get to keep away from the dreaded “diesel remedy” (That is when the BOP sends you all throughout the USA by bus or aircraft, spending a couple of weeks in several jail settings, with murderers, rapists, youngster molesters, and the like earlier than arriving to your last designated establishment. All of the whereas since you are unable to take lessons you aren’t incomes the doable credit wanted to scale back your sentence.) and are available on “your individual phrases”.
However turning your self in to be incarcerated tugs in opposition to each essentially primal intuition we have now as human beings. The completely surreal reminiscence of driving myself to the jail, my spouse as my trusted passenger, driving collectively like we have now carried out so many instances earlier than. We each take pleasure in a banal dialog concerning the climate that day (snow, rain, and hail multi functional drive) to attempt to masks the truth that I’m on my manner to surrender my liberty, to say goodbye to our household, to start an extended interval of incarceration. It’s perverse.
At round 1:00 PM on December nineteenth I pulled into the guests car parking zone. I hugged and kissed my stunning spouse for the final time and walked within the freezing wind and rain to my new dwelling for the foreseeable future.
The officer who met me on the gate was a kindly particular person. He provided to let me stand within the gatehouse to keep away from the blistering chilly. He carried out a breathalyzer and tried to make me really feel relaxed with some pleasant and informal dialog. A second officer ultimately confirmed up. He searched me, counted the cash I introduced in with me (bringing in money was an enormous mistake I might quickly be taught), and ultimately escorted me into the consumption part of the ability.
On the way in which to the consumption part the guard said matter of factly that it might take till after Christmas for my money to look ‘on my books’ – which means no cellphone calls and no purchasing for over per week. Ah, nice. General the consumption course of was fast and environment friendly. The Corrections Officers (CO’s) and assist employees have been all skilled, some have been cordial, some others have been even pleasant.
I had worn in plain gray sweat pants and a plain gray sweatshirt within the small probability that the consumption COs would let me deliver these objects contained in the jail with me. Sadly they didn’t. I used to be instructed to strip off the garments till I used to be absolutely bare. The garments have been thrown right into a plastic bag to be discarded or destroyed. After inspecting my cock, balls, and asshole (sorry, however it’s what occurred) the CO handed me an outsized pair of khaki pants, a brown shirt with suspicious bleach stains throughout the entrance, and a pair of low-cost blue slip on footwear.
After getting dressed within the uniform that may scream “beginner!” to everybody who encountered me I used to be instructed to fulfill a number of members of employees.
First on the carousel of rubber stamps was Psychology. I mistook the psychologist for an additional inmate going by means of consumption. An enormous man, imply wanting, an extended scraggly beard right down to his chest. In the event you informed me he was on the final 5 years of a 30 yr bid I might have stated “after all he’s”. Anyway he was the psychologist I used to be instructed to fulfill. His concern was primarily my psychological well being and if I used to be suicidal or not. Like each different member of employees he was respectful {and professional}.
I used to be then instructed to fulfill with the Doctor’s Assistant to be medically cleared. Moreover a TB take a look at and DNA assortment by use of a inside cheek swab, this was as common of a medical examination as one would discover in a faculty nurses workplace. As soon as I used to be by means of the merry-go-round of clearances I wanted to acquire earlier than getting into the final inhabitants I used to be launched to the primary inmate I had encountered at this time.
Shane is an orderly who helps introduce new inmates to their new dwelling. Common top, common construct, in all probability early 60’s, a really pleasant Irish face and rosy cheeks. Frankly, he’s the right particular person for this function. Shane had collected a jacket, hat, and gloves for me. He was carrying a pillow and mattress roll for me, I used to be carrying a big plastic bag with two spare units of Consumption uniform, two sheets, two towels, two washcloths, two boxers, two pairs of socks, a bathroom paper roll, and a small plastic bag stuffed with fundamental toiletries. It was defined to me that as a result of I used to be ordered to give up on a Friday, I might not get to Laundry for a correct uniform till Monday.
So, I might stick out like a sore thumb till then. Mixed with the problems of depositing cash onto my account attributable to a Friday + Vacation give up it actually felt like one other farewell reward from Choose Cote who bought to show the screw in opposition to me one last time.
Shane identified every constructing on the campus whereas I attempted to maintain up with him and retain all this info. I used to be to be housed within the Bates Unit, apparently that is success as a result of Alexander Unit is stuffed with rowdy reprobates and has no air-con. I will probably be housed throughout the B Wing of Bates Unit, which is outwardly the place they put all of the newcomers and youthful guys. Older guys and extra skilled inmates get assigned to A Wing which is slightly quieter.
As we handed each inmate, unmistakable of their khaki uniform and inexperienced jacket Shane greeted them by identify, all of them returned the greeting earnestly. After what felt like 12 left turns we arrived within the B wing, to bunk 25. I used to be launched to my cell mate, or “celly” Mike who I used to be informed solely arrived right here per week in the past from a camp in Lexington.
Mike is definitely 280-290 lbs so he clearly had the underside bunk. I might take the highest bunk. Attempting to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells, I famous that I’ll have been fortunate to get Mike as a celly, his cell was pretty tidy, he appeared mature and respectful. I felt relaxed with Mike, which is an effective factor to really feel when you’ll be dwelling with somebody in such shut quarters. As soon as Shane dropped me off at bunk 25 he was off. I used to be left standing like a deer within the headlights.
Practically instantly Mike was handing me some Cup-O-Noodle Hen Soups and a water bottle. I didn’t know if this was some type of mortgage that may must be paid again or what, however as I had actually nothing however the beginner uniform I took the handout and made a word to repay him when doable.
Then from throughout the aisle, Dave launched himself, – on the surface a former household physician, on the within a jovial older man all the time cracking dry sarcastic jokes – and handed me a can of Coke, some Mrs.. Discipline’s Chocolate Chip Cookies, some extra Cup-O-Noodles and another goodies. This procession of introductions and providing of presents continued for practically half an hour. It grew to become clear these weren’t loans to be repaid however acts of kindness by gents who remembered what their first evening in jail was like, and who presumably have been helped by somebody in a manner they’re now passing on to me.
Ultimately phrase had bought across the camp – they name the gossip community “inmate.com” – {that a} new man arrived. Quickly I had guests from different Wings within the Bates Unit.
One gentleman had a whole assortment of sweat shirts and sweat pants. He sized me up and handed me a pair in addition to some brief sleeve and lengthy sleeve gray shirts. Lastly he checked out my ft being attentive to a budget flat slip ons that they offer you throughout consumption, requested my shoe measurement, I informed him 12.5, after some rummaging he discovered a pair of sneakers measurement 11 and handed them to me.
He defined that when somebody leaves (both to go dwelling or a switch to a brand new establishment) he collects the clothes they depart behind, he washes it, after which shops it handy out to newbies with nothing – in any other case they are going to be scooped up by much less altruistic characters and be bought within the underground financial system.
Saying our goodbyes and expressing my honest gratitude to have the ability to get out of the uncomfortable short-term uniform and into one thing far more comfy I met one other prisoner, Omar, a really pleasant former pulmonary specialist in his 70s, one in every of a number of training Muslims and one in every of a number of extremely expert docs. He offered me some toiletries, a bag of on the spot espresso, a bag of creamer, pens, paper, and his knowledge on navigating this new setting. Very importantly he provided to indicate me the ropes at supper time which might be known as momentarily.
Whereas we waited to be known as for supper time Omar launched me to a number of of his mates, principally docs and extremely educated scientists. As soon as dinner was known as we made the ten minute stroll from Bates Unit to the “Chow Corridor”, they have been serving lasagna which was surprisingly good and provided in a beneficiant portion measurement. It was served with a aspect of iceberg lettuce and boiled spinach. The lettuce was superb with the intense orange coloured (and expired) “vinaigrette” that was provided in small packets. The boiled spinach wanted salt and was fairly tough to eat.
It appeared like I had simply sat right down to eat after they known as over the intercom that dinner was now closed. I might want to eat a lot faster than I’m used to.
After I returned to my bunk I met one other neighbor, Hasan, a younger Muslim, effectively groomed, match, tidy and pleasant. He launched himself, gifted me a white cotton t-shirt and a pair of gray gymnasium shorts. I hung round on my bunk, not likely figuring out what to do. I knew there could be a last depend – the place we have to rise up silently by our beds and be counted by guards – at 9:00PM which might then be lights out till the morning.
I frankly was very drained and wished I might fall asleep proper then, however I pressured myself to remain awake till after the 9:00PM depend occurred. Fortunately they turned the lights off proper after the depend, after brushing my tooth I climbed into the bunk, able to name it an evening. Nobody else was on that schedule nevertheless, and the housing unit was conscious, loud, and buzzing with exercise.
I must get used to the noise. Ultimately I fell asleep. I slept pretty effectively, however awoke early round 2:30 AM. Thanking God that Omar had gifted me espresso, I loved a scorching cup once I awoke and all through the morning.
Over the subsequent a number of days I might meet new individuals, be taught new ways for surviving this very alien setting, and make a number of new mates alongside the way in which. Whereas by no means comfy, it’s manageable. Whereas I reasonably be at dwelling with my spouse and household, there are far worse locations I might have ended up. I’m grateful that every one the prisoners listed below are respectful and downright pleasant. I’m grateful that the employees and CO’s appear to be even be respectful offered you don’t give them a cause to not be.
This letter recounts the primary day on the within, December nineteenth. As I write this it’s December twenty fourth, Christmas Eve.
Tomorrow would be the seventh day I’ve spent in FPC Morgantown. I will probably be having my first customer, my spouse. I’m past excited to see her. I’ll proceed writing the story because it occurs and as I’m in a position.
Keonne Rodriguez
Write to Keonne:
Keonne Rodriguez
11404-511
FPC Morgantown
FEDERAL PRISON CAMP
P.O. BOX 1000
MORGANTOWN, WV 26507
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It is a visitor submit by Keonne Rodriguez. Opinions expressed are completely their very own and don’t essentially replicate these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.