Читать книгу Sold Short In America - Richard A. Altomare - Страница 16

While I am doing a poor impression of "Orange Sitting Bull" I am reading this Sole Survivor book. Once again that cracker-jack education department probably is unaware that there are about 6 suicides in the opening 100 pages. Another subliminal message brought to you by the Bureau of Prisons - "The Bureau that doesn't give a damn what you think because we can do whatever we want to whomever we want because no one gives a damn about those whom we control. "That public service announcement should be on its advertisements. Hey, what an idea, privatizing prisons and letting prisoners and their families, like college, choose the one which has the lowest rate of return. Believe me, think outside of this box (no pun intended); a prison monopoly is still a monopoly, and it's not working as it is.

Memorial Day has always been a tender day in my life. Since the Marine Corps, and having lost some close friends and Marine brothers in Vietnam, I normally golf alone pretending they are with me and laughing to myself about things they would do or say during the round. Well, the traditional tournament has been cancelled this year, and I invited them to spend the time with me, here in my cell. Because of our lifetime friendship, they told me no way will they come; they'll wait until I get out. Those are my friends and I can't blame them. On a more serious note today, I honor those who gave their lives so that I can hope to defeat governmental "employees" who have chosen to conveniently forget the difference between right and wrong. Without these fallen heroes I could be living in a totalitarian system with no hope of restitution and vindication.

It seems that a few Spanish inmates have arrived because of some disciplinary problem in population. Their "property" has been an issue for the past few days. The system can't locate their "property" and the inmates are hysterical. That's all they are talking about, and the solution is, of course, wait until Tuesday when a counselor can help straighten it out. I do not have an opinion or comment on how long it will take to find the "property". When you are reduced to so little, your "property" becomes all that defines you in here. From headset music (which I would eliminate) to personal effects, one would think the property would travel with the prisoner instead of disappearing into a system run almost entirely by the criminals who are put inside here. You figure this logic out. I am going back to reading. Dinner must be only three hours away.

Well, much is happening. First, the Chaplain came by and said he was in a hurry because it was a very beautiful day outside. So much for his consolation. He did also tell me that he looked up my case, and the government's position seemed to be correct from what he had read. He also had jury duty again next week. Hopefully, this will be his final moment of tenderness. Also, he can't help me with a phone call. Total visit time was one minute. I feel better again. Where can I purchase one of those Muslim prayer rugs?

Speaking of Muslims, on the commissary form, from which inmates can purchase items weekly, is pork-free Dove soap. This list and prices are pretty interesting for any reporter who might like to follow the money on this monopoly. Isn't there some sort of law about price gauging when a hurricane or tragedy occurs thus forcing people to pay more than others normally would?

Call me a masochist, but I'm trying the phone attempt again tonight. If I don't keep trying they can say it was available and I didn't use it. I'll not let them slither under a rock on this issue. Over 24 days without contact due to incompetence, disregard or arrogance. This call was not permitted once again!

Today we did have two visitors to the area. "Good morning" the first woman said, "What are you here for?" As I hurriedly attempted to respond, she was gone. Following behind her was a doctor or at least someone in a white lab jacket. He looked at me, and he was gone. At least in a zoo they throw you some peanuts or make faces. I guess I should be pleased that unlike the insensitive Chaplain, they didn't try to tell me what they thought of the government's case. Is it not the task of any leader to try to uplift rather than to devastate?

During the past three weeks I was able to clean and disinfect my little cell to where I felt it was not overrun by transmittable diseases and rodents. Well policy is policy. Today I had to be moved to another cell. My cell was for one inmate, this one is for two. Nevertheless, I just saw this room for the first time. My God, I have just literally removed one 45 gallon trash bag of oranges, paper, old food and old clothes. The walls are covered with filth and mold. I will be cleaning for the next few hours.

For the sake of your personal enjoyment, I have been moved directly across from the fully tattooed Illustrated Man. This is the methadone user. I'm sure after I clean my cell and after I settle in, I'll get to meet the "neighbors".

No time to do anything other than try to clean-up my little section of the world. This cell has not been cleaned or (even paper-Mache′d) for months based on the amount of garbage left on the floor. I'm afraid I have a place which may have very spoiled mice or rats.

When a cell is vacated, shouldn’t it be standard operating procedure to clean it up somewhat? No kidding, I really removed a full 45 gallon garbage bag and there are excessive amounts of mold on the walls. The button-flusher works so I guess I should be happy for that.

Psychologically, this cell movement doesn't do much for one's centering. If they had wanted me to clean all of the cells, they didn't have to keep moving me. I would have been happy to do it and stay put in my disinfected and clean cell.

The CO's said they would bring me disinfectants and a mop in five minutes. Two hours later I have finished cleaning with only the hot water and my bar of soap (with pork) and I am totally wet with perspiration. Yes, we can get soap with or without pork. Who's winning this war on terror? Unlike my other room this one is very hot with minimal air circulation. Maybe that's why the mold exists. I have cleaned as best one can with only a bar of pork soap and a wash cloth.

How could the previous inmates have been able to leave it that way? A simple glance and lifting up of the two mattresses would have exposed the mess. Looking under the bed would have clearly shown oranges uneaten and partially eaten food (I'm hoping it was the inmates). What exactly are we teaching inmates in prison? This is not about my indignation at the filth. It is my indignation over the fact that the CO's never came with the promised supplies. Like the Warden, promises but no follow-up. This goes beyond my phone call and incarceration ... this is a clear set of eyes telling you what you (and I) never wanted to know. Hold on because I'm now taking a societal leap - It's worse than the Iraq War because it will never end and there isn't even a debate about how much this broken welfare system costs. Look at the BOP Budget. Examine where monies spent actually go. Examine what relationships between friends determine contracts. No one cares because these are society's invisible people. Until after they fester in here and then they rob, rape, frighten, or kill someone you know. This place makes them much worse, not better. Even in solitary confinement we don't have them clean under their bed! As they listen to head phones in the jail, the CO's have no problem with them. What garbage rap music do they listen to? Continue the stereotype that only music soothes the savage beast. Consider hard work, pride, discipline and respect of officers that say what they mean and do what they say. These inmates already have enough broken role models.

Sure I remain indignant at the Judge who wrongly put me here. But this is just another part of the broken justice system that Judges simply don't understand, and don't care to understand. Every coin has two sides. The court room and the jail should complement each other.

Trust me; this is a poorly run and weakly administered facility from top to bottom.

As a former Marine and real executive, I am appalled at what I see on a minute to minute basis in here and we continue to pay without comment.

My sons know the following poem by heart:

For lack of a nail, a shoe was lost.

For lack of a shoe, a horse was lost.

For lack of a horse, a rider was lost.

For lack of a rider a message was lost.

For lack of a message, a battle was lost.

For lack of a battle, a war was lost.

For lack of a war, a country was lost.

The country was lost for lack of a nail.

I'll pick up the nails and I'll clean under the bed. You and I have been doing such for all public employees, Judges to guards, who are simply contributing to the country's economic decline. The Wall Street Journal recently said that counterfeiting of securities (Naked Short Selling) costs Americans 3 billion dollars a day! Some governmental agencies and Congress are questioning the SEC's police tactics. My reward, while they ponder my criticism, is prison. Could naked short selling be funding terrorists? Are these prisons weakening America's future?