Nov. 10, 2018

Solitary Confinement

From Prometheus Writes! by Nathaniel Lindell (author's profile)

Transcription

On October 17, 2018, a man who lived in a cell like this for weeks fatally hung himself. Next day, the sheriff's department investigators came in. I saw them laughing about it.

Cell 617 of
Restrictive Housing Unit (RHU)
at Green Bay Correctional Institute

[Pencil drawing of the aforementioned cell. It looks claustrophobic.]

Width: 6'13"
Length: 11'6"
Height: 9'

These cells are typically used to hold suicidal, violent, mentally ill or "manipulative" prisoners. Bars on the sides of the beds allow occupants to be strapped down.

Dried streaks of piss, shit, etc. streak the walls and bed slab. Behind me, out of view, is a stainless steel shower stall and a sink and toilet unit, which I sat on to draw this.

In Green Bay, home of the Packers, sits max security GBCI with one of Wisconsin's worst solitary confinement units. I was sent here on October 9, 2018 after an i/m in WSPF's seg unit stabbed me in the back of my head several times, put in the cell I've drawn.

On October 17, an inmate living in one of these cells fatally hung himself. Self-mutilations, hangings, overdoses are daily events. Aaron Pavin went through 11 units of blood in a week from cutting himself. My inmates yell insults when I try to discuss litigation, and a guard named Alan Potts who accused me of gang activity for doing it!

After two and a half days, I still haven't been given my legal papers. Admin complaints are ignored.

===

Recreation: outside, roofless concrete walled cells, so high no sun touches us. Twice a week for one hour.

Food: no fresh fruit, veggies mostly canned, grains mostly refined. I lost 10 lbs since arrival (186 to 176 lbs; I'm 6'5").

Visits: only over TV screen, once a week. Must call 920-432-3262 and schedule two days in advance.

Medical care: Horrible. Vertigo made me fall and hit my head several times. Ignored by nurses, denied tordol prescribed by hospital, taken off antidepressants without a phych to see me. Psychiatrist and nurses refused to see me because I politely asked guards to keep body cams on to record their conduct.

Property: no pens (used to cut ourselves), only rubber pencils. Those who manage to stay out of trouble go on admin. confinement and get all of their electronics (TV, radio, typewriter, razors. I only have a TV), can buy snack food. All can have eight of their banks and 8,000 inches of paperwork.

Psych staff only see those who act nutsy or attempt suicide. No outdoor view from most cells.

Call in your concerns about our treatment at 920-432-4877 (Capt. Jay VanLenen runs the seg unit). Please help me fight this by ordering blank paper and postage embossed envelopes from JLMarcusWisconsin.com.

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Nate A. Lindell #303724
GBCI
PO Box 19033
Green Bay, WI 54307-7033

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Moultonjulie72@aol.com Posted 5 years, 4 months ago. ✓ Mailed 5 years, 3 months ago   Favorite
Hello, this is very disturbing to hear. I pray that something is to be done about the horrific treatment that is occurring here!!
Much love sent to anyone suffering here!
Julie NH

Nathaniel Lindell Posted 5 years, 3 months ago.   Favorite
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