(Beginning of: "SO-called Typical" April 14, 2025)
At this point in time, I suppose I should familiarize you with the basic layout of a prison day.
That way, as you read the upcoming chapters regarding my personal experiences throughout a typical day for a non-typical prisoner, you'll be able to better relate with the overall schedule of the plot. However, considering the fact that this chapter will only contain the ordinary everyday events of prison life, I would be willing to bet that before I'm even finished with everything regarding this subject, you'll probably become so bored that you'll just have to interrupt me with some kind of stupid question, so as to change the subject. Please, try do refrain from such actions.
After my first few weeks in the prison system, I began to adjust... (Adjust: To achieve a psychological balance with regard to one's needs, and the demands of others.)
Hold on a minute, it’s just dawned on me after checking the definition of that word that even after 20 years, I STILL haven't been able to accomplish all of that yet. So let's just say I began to grow familiar with the routine of prison life. I also began to realize that deep down somewhere amongst the hustle and bustle of interruptions throughout the day, there was a basic layout as to what the Department of Corrections (DOC) anticipated to be normal day, and it goes something like this:
1) Wake-up +/- 5 A.M.
2) Breakfast +/- 6 A.M.
3) Count time +/- 11.30 A.M.
4) Morning events +/- 8 A.M. (ex. classes, jobs, rec yard, call outs)
5) Count time +/- 11.30 A.M.
6) Lunch +/- 12.30 P.M.
7) Afternoon events +/- 1:30 P.M. (ex: classes, jobs, rec yard, call outs)
8) Count time +/- 4P.M.
9) Dinner +/- 5 P.M.
10) Count time +/- 7:30 P.M.
11) Master roster count time +/- 10 P.M.
12) Lights out +/- 11 P.M.
Please take into consideration that this schedule is as basic as it gets, and could actually be carried out with no form of difficulty provided: there are no types od mechanical malfuctions throughout the camp, there are no kinds of outside interruptions throughout the camp, the guards do thier jobs in an ethical and efficient manner, and all the prisoners behave like mature gentlemen. IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE!! However, one can be rest assured that the chances of such a thing are between nil and none.So let's take a look at just a few of the common forms of interruptions that cause DOC's idea od a normal day to be nothing more than a dream:
1) Weather. (ex. thick morning fog, rainstorm that includes lighting)
2) Chow time falling behind schedule, due to some difficulties in the preparation of a meal.
3) Too many guards calling in sick on the same day.
4) Some form of medical emergency (ex. some inmate having an epileptic seizure at an inconvenient time)
5) Some form of practice drill being conducted. And...
6) A miscount of the prisoner during count time which leads to a recount, and perhaps even a master roster count.
These examples, along with many others, are the daily forms of interruptions. A couple of the more infrequent forms would be things like the arrival of some bigwigs from Tallahassee to check out the place, which only occurs a few times a year. With people like that walking around the grounds, there is very limited movement permitted by the prisoners. And of course, my favouite. "Office's Appreciation Day?" My best bet is a couple of officers suddenly came up with this wild idea to throw a big party for themselves while at work that lasts all day.
and all the other officers really appreciated it. It's basically a decorative title for. "Prisoners Not Permitted to Leave Their Dorms All Day" day...
YOU: HOLD ON! What about all those exciting and more theatrical scenes that I see at the movie theatres, and read about in books regarding prison life.
ME: I knew it. (said in a disgruntled tone of voice)
Well... it is like this. I am not going to sit here and say that none of those events ever occur. However, thanks to the ideation of Hollywood and authors of fictional-fun-reads, people usually have an incorrect idea about the true-life style here in prison. Our entertainers focus primarily on the events that grab your attention, and perhaps stretch the truth-- just a tad. To better explain, let me do some highlighting on a couple of attention-grabbing situations that we are all familiar with, because I'm obviously not satisfying you with the basic stuff. The first two come to mind are...Uh, oh. Looks like you'll have until next week.
(Be sure to check out this blog next week for the more exciting parts of a typical day in here)
2025 apr 18
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Replies (1)
I transcribed your letter, I hope I did not make mistakes, as I am Italian my English it is not perfect.
I read with interest how a day in prison unfolds.
If you want you can answer me through the site betweenthebars.org., where I read your letter.
I could tell you something about my country and culture.
Best regards.
Alberto (Italy)