Daniel Gwynn Blog Update
Date: 10/13/13
Subject: "Hoop It"

This week, we've been issued a new confounding contraption called "The Hoop". With this contraption we're to secure our laundry for the washing service, instead of the regular mesh laundry bag. We're told that this is to provide a better washing, which is a far cry from the truth. If they wanted to provide a better washing, they would actually have to utilize the amount of detergent required for the load to get clean. I've turned in brand new whites, only for them to come back dingy & burnt. So I've turned to washing my clothes out by hand, like my grandmother taught me. I get better results with a bar of soap and a little elbow-grease.

I believe that this "Hoop" is a new security measure to prevent the smuggling of contraband. But in my opinion, it's just another nuisance. If they really wanted to stop the smuggling of contraband they know what to do. But the "Black Market" is big business. They make from a 100% to 200% profit on any contraband, which is some serious temptation in this economy.

The "Hoop" is a strip of nylon material with a plastic clip mechanism at each end, which locks to secure the clothing strung on it. There's a looped string fixed to the strip where the towels, socks & washcloths are to be secured by a sliding plastic lock. I don't see this working because it can get easily broken, and the clothes undone & lost. Our block is the guinea pig in this little experiment, and I foresee much difficulty. But if it does work, the whole state will have to "Hoop" it.

[diagram of the Hoop]

Daniel Gwynn

Daniel Gwynn Blog Update
Date: 10/13/13
Subject: "Gifts"

I do greatly appreciate the gifts people send me, but I am being housed in a maximum security facility where strict control is practiced over what we're permitted to have. Family & friends are NO LONGER permitted to make outside purchases for prisoners, except for food packages from an approved DOC vendor. All purchases must be approved by the facility before the item is received by the facility. Items available in the commissary must be purchased from the commissary; and approved items that are not stocked in the commissary may be approved for outside purchase. An outside purchase request form must be submitted by the prisoner for approval.

The DOC has a monopoly on all aspects of a prisoner's existence: incoming & outgoing mail; phone calls; visits; purchases; money; health; freedom; & death. All of the services provided prisoners must be approved by the DOC, which vendors are awarded contracts (via kickbacks & cronyism) to do business with us. The Pennsylvania Correctional Industry provides our commissary & other items; Jpay.com processes all incoming money for prisoners; Global Tel-Link provides phone services; Access provides food packages; Dick Blick provides art supplies; & so forth. This is big business that's fueled by our continued incarceration. We're being bled from all ends. We're being forced to purchase the services only they provide access to, and cannot search for a better deal.

I really do appreciate the gifts people send. But the only gift I am able to receive is money sent through Jpay.com, or you can send a certified check to: Daniel Gwynn #CW-5713, SCI-Greene, 175 Progress Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370, U.S.A.

Daniel Gwynn