Prisoners are persons whom most of us would rather not think about. Banished from everyday sight, they exist in a shadow world that only dimly enters our awareness. They are members of a "total institution" that controls their daily existence in a way that few of us can imagine. "[P]rison is a complex of physical arrangements and of measures, all wholly governmental, all wholly performed by agents of government, which determine the total existence of certain human beings (except perhaps in the realm of the spirit, and inevitably there as well) from sundown to sundown, sleeping, walking, speaking, silent, working, playing, viewing, eating, voiding, reading, alone, with others. . . ." It is thus easy to think of prisoners as members of a separate netherworld, driven by its own demands, ordered by its own customs, ruled by those whose claim to power rests on raw necessity. -- Justice William Brennan, dissenting in O’Lone v. Estate of Shabazz, 482 U.S. 342, 354-55 (1987).

Friday, June 1, 2007

Week 7 Summary

Monday was my half-way point (day 46 out of 91) but who's counting. It was a good week.

Last weekend my parents visited along with my brother from St. Pete. This weekend my oldest daughter, 20, who just finished her sophomore year in college, is here. I'm excited. We will spend all day Saturday together.

My work detail involved clearing out an "outfall" area outside the base fence. This is a 20' concrete ditch that drains storm water out to the bay. There is a grassy easement on both sides that needed mowing and trees trimmed back. We had a crew of about 10.

Monday and Tuesday I weed-eated a 5' buffer along the edge of the ditch that was too sloped for the large mower to get to. It was hot and dirty and the horse flies were biting but I got it done.

Wednesday and Thursday we trimmed back the trees and fed them into a medium-sized wood chipper. A litte easier work. Wednesday afternoon, a thunder shower cancelled the work detail which was a nice respite.

Friday was equipment maintenance day and the weather was near perfect, almost fall-like. Cool breezes and clear skies. Since I only had two small pieces of equipment to clean, I had several hours to relax in the shade and finish Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azhaban (Year 3). Hopefully I will finish all 6 before I get out, just in time for the final book due to be released on July 21.

Last Saturday, I saw The Queen at the base theatre, a little slow for most imate's tastes. It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since Diana died and Tony Blair became Prime Minister.

Monday night I watched 24 in the base theatre. Only one 2-hour episode left.

Tuesday and Wednesday night I watched American Idol in the visiting room. We missed the first 20 minutes due to problems with the satellite. I thought all contestants had a good night and was, of course, shocked when Melinda was sent home. I was almost as shocked as when Daughtry finished 4th last year. Go figure. I now predict Jordin wins it all.

[Interruption. I'll be right back. I just got called to visitation. My daughter is here...Told you I'd be right back. Nice visit from 8:30a-2p. It's amazing we can talk that long - 5 1/2 hours.]

Thursday night just hung out, did some reading and writing, worked out.

Unfortunately, I also ran out of minutes on the phone for the rest of the month -- only 17 days in, with 14 to go! Yikes.

Note: Inmates are limited to 300 minutes per month. Individual calls are limited to 15 minutes. You must wait 15 minutes between calls. See earlier post on Crack House.

6 comments:

helpinmama said...

Bill..I feel for you. I spent four long monthes in three different county jails,(3 1/2 in one), it sucks. And not only are we punished by the law, but also by socity. I was realeased in Feb. and have yet gotten a job because of my felony conviction, for child support. I stand a chance on having my suspended sentence (6 years) revoked because I can't pay, because I don't have a job. As a woman in my 40's, that has never been in trouble, this has all been a shock, and a wake up. Besides job hunting, I am trying to open up a women's recovery house, start a support group for ex-inmates, I have been in contact with several justice departments. Our kind needs to be protected. I would really like to talk to you further about your experience. Take care and stay out of trouble. You are almost done and God will help you. Sincerely

Anonymous said...

Bill... Long time no hear. I was sorry to hear about your troubles..I'm still at Duke doing web stuff and still work with Jerome. How in the world did you get your self in this fix? I guess the kids are doing well? June 28th is fast approaching...Kelly

Anonymous said...

Bill, we are really enjoying your posts (thanks Amanda!!!) Not too much longer and you are done!!! We are still in such shock that something like this would happen to a good/Christian man like yourself! Hang in there, and know that we are "rooting" for you!!! When you are released, we would love to have you and Amanda out to the house!!

Love, Melissa, Jared and Drew

Anonymous said...

Keep going. This is very interesting reading.

Anonymous said...

Wow what happened here? Its been almost 3 wks since the last post? So you should be coming home very very soon!

Anonymous said...

Please don't leave us hanging, we need to know the last 3- weeks and the exit process, how did it go? I hope you write a book on your white collar criminal prcecution, it would be great reading. I know I would buy a copy.