Example #1 of Prisoner Amnesia
(If you wish to start back at the beginning of this essay, just scroll back to mid June and find "Oh that's right. We're in prison.")

Probably the most genuine example of prisoner memory loss is when someone makes mention of that four letter word. No, not that four letter word. I'm speaking of the one that is considered the MOST taboo of all the four letter words put together; that word is work. Don't get me wrong. I understand that out of all the jobs in the prison system (Kitchen crew, maintenance crew, teaching, medical aide, mowing squad, paint squad, to name a few.) A good number of them can be quite demanding, considering the fact that here in Florida a prisoner is only given financial compensation for a minute few of the jobs available. (None of which I made mention of earlier.) However, lets take a look at one of the easiest jobs there is, and is shared with the largest percentage of prisoners. The job of which I'm speaking of has had the title of, "House Man" since long before I ever arrived, but I think they're trying to change it to, "Dorm Orderly." Either way, I myself look at these titles as nothing more than a couple of upscale terms for the word janitor. Or, maybe even an informal term for, "Environmental Hygienist." Whichever way you chose, it's this particular group of so-called workers that are suffering the most from this prisoner amnesia.
The duties that are being carried out by a house man/dorm orderly are basically the chores that involve keeping the dorm clean: sweeping, dusting, mopping, cleaning showers, and (depending on if you're in open-bay or closed custody) bathroom sinks and toilets. It's particularly the only job where a prisoner doesn't have to report somewhere and be under the supervision of an officer. That may seem like a good thing. However, since these H.M./D.O. are not having their hands held, and being reminded every 5 minutes that they're in prison, the vast majority of them never even lift a finger to help in any kind of way. They act more like this is some kind of vacation that has been granted to them, rather than a punishment time that's been sentenced upon them.
If all of the H.M./D.O. got together and worked as a team, all of those jobs could be completed in approximately 30 minutes. I know this because in my 17 years of being down, I have had the opportunity to spend one of those years in a dorm where everybody did their part. However, that was the only dorm, and I have been moved around a lot throughout my prison time. We're not talking about a job that puts money in some Big Wigs pocket, that the prisoner never benefits from. We're talking about helping to maintain their OWN living facilities. We're talking about only having to work 3 1/2 hours a week! And yet these... Just a second. Let me cool off here. I don't wish to start using any of the other 4 letter words. I just honestly can't understand how these guys can forget that they're being given a place to live and sleep, 3 meals a day, clothes to wear, medical provisions, and yes, even a flat screen T.V. All of this, and more, but they're still always ready to complain f any work if asked of them. "Oh hell no, man! We ain't gitt'n paid." Well then, lets pay them what the states pay the prisoners, and then send them a monthly water bill, electric bill, food bill, medication bill... Do I really need to go on? No, as a matter of fact I don't because I've gone over all this stuff with these forgetful morons, and yet they're never willing to accept the simple logic of it all. Also, I'm sure that by now I have gotten my point across to you, my audience.
Don't forget to keep checking for more examples of prisoner amnesia.
Don't worry, I'm sure the next one will be more low-key.
MAZE