Pre-release Fears

August 19, 2009

There are so many legitimate obstacles the majority of prisoners must overcome upon their release in order to become an average-joe, law-abiding, tax-paying citizen again. In today's economy, job market, etc. those hurdles are formidable; not impossible to overcome though.

Being released homeless, after years of imprisonment with only a $50.00 dedicated discharge fund check is a big obstacle. Contrary to popular belief, the $50.00 isn't free money that's given to the released orangeman. While imprisoned, a percentage of each prisoner's state pay earned from working is taken and saved until $50.00 is accumulated. Suspiciously, even inmates with "Life" are made to save this $50.00 which they will NEVER be allowed to spend.

Due to ADOC's over populated system and the state's budget crisis and budget cuts, these $50.00 "gate fees" aren't always available to every body. Prisoner wages were recently decreased by 10% and hours were cut as budget cutting measures. So, those prisoners who are lucky enough to get a job, earn even less than before, which also allows for less money being put in their $50.00 kick-out fund.

Now, prisoners average between $20.00-$30.00 a month before any deductions.

Deductions include:
15% Discharge Fund
5% Drug Class Fee
20-30% Court Restitution (if ordered) and other deductions such as:
$4.00 Medical Care Cost (recently raised).
$2.00 per month Utility Charges (recently raised) and even child support payments.

Not much left afterwards. Maybe a bar of soap, toothpaste and a roll of toilet paper.

Last I checked, $50.00 isn't enough to rent a motel room in Crackville for a night, much less get you a boost forward into a new start fresh out of prison. Often times desperation, fear and hopelessness causes ex-prisoners to revert back to their former ways. Resignation that it's their only option. although it's a simple cop-out and not their only option, the reality is it is happening.

Most, if not all, other states release their prisoners with $100.00 or more. Despite Arizona's cost of living having significantly increased in the past 20-30 years, the $50.00 kick-out has not budged. It's time to increase it so a person can at least rent a room, buy a meal and a change of clothes. It's not costing any body but the prisoner in order to raise it. It's costing every body dearly not to.

Thankfully, I no longer will worry about this. I am prepared financially to fend for myself. Mentally, Physically and financially... I'm ready to go home and start my life. Despite this, I remain nervous and constantly rethinking about my options and reviewing my plans, and questioning my choices. Should I live alone? Should I move in with somebody? Should I avoid a romantic relationship? What is best for me to reach my goals? The questions go on and on and on...

I want to be successful. My perception of success and nobody else's. I want a safe, stable, happy and sane life.

A comfortable home: A place I can call "home". A place I'm always welcome. A place I can relax. A safe and sound place. Apartment, condo, house or even a trailer...it's not important. Just "Shannon's Home".

A legal and dependable income: Although I have a small nest egg, I want to establish my own revenue. Legally. Whether that means a job, career, or investments. Or all three. I have marketable talents, the desire to earn, the will to succeed and the need for dependable income. I'm not expecting to live lavishly, but I want comfort and to be able to splurge if I choose to - safely. Job ideas: In-house writer / journalist / columnist (civil rights, criminal justice related organization or publication); Painter (homes / interior); Furniture maker / refurbisher, or Internet services provider for prisoners (research, email forwarding, etc.) Investment ideas: Housing market; Prisoner oriented web-business; Franchise; CDs and Bonds or any combination of these.

Good family and friends: I couldn't ask for better friends than the ones I have, but I'd like to expand my circle of friends, surrounding myself with good people. With the friends I have now I know that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, that people care about me and I'm not alone. they've got my best interest in mind. Family is important to me. Some may argue, too important. My sister K has been through a lot in her own life and has come out on top and a strong person. Raising my niece on her own, K did a fantastic job; my niece will attend NAU and is a brilliant and beautiful young woman. Sadly, I don't know her and have never been a part of her life. I'll be in their lives from now on if they will let me.

I want to find my Ms. Right and give my sister and niece more family. I haven't given up, but so far it's been a disheartening quest. I can still envision her and I and our little family posing for a family portrait on X-mas. K and A and other relatives squeezing in, trying to get us all in the photo. I have decided that until those images fade away, I'll continue to wait. Although patience isn't one of my strongest qualities, it's still a trait I possess.

Helping Others: I want to help other people. Not out of guilt for my past transgressions or to impress or make myself "look good" to others. I truly want to help others because I care and it feels good to me. It really does give me a feeling of happiness, joy, comfort, and fulfillment. It's difficult to describe.

Although I recently made a contribution to "Pack to School", which will provide desperately needed supplies to a local elementary school (kids need school supplies and times are tough for parents right now), but my main interest is two-fold.

#1: speaking out against drugs, crime and incarceration to students and parents. I want to share my experience and advice in hopes of dissuading someone from making the wrong choices I made and hopefully enlighten some parents in dealing with their troubled kids, as well as prevention and observation. Unlike many, if not most, of the "professionals" who do this, I'd speak from first hand experience rather than strictly academic. Note: I do not intend to lessen the importance of the professionals. The pros who've dedicated their lives to this are extremely beneficial and needed. It's just that some people will listen to the tattooed former inmate, former criminal, former drug-user before the pro in his / her suit and cushy office.

#2: I want to continue with my cause regarding prisons and prisoners. Maybe even stepping up my game by speaking at legislative hearings and town hall meetings.

Although my fears about gate-money, shelter, food, etc. have been relieved (an incredible burden), other concerns remain. Less urgent concerns but things I worry about. With everybody who cares about me, loves me, and wants me to succeed on my side, I know everything will work out.

Another Death on Manzanita Unit

August 18, 2009

Another prisoner on Manzanita Unit has died. Despite Housing Unit 6 being a medical unit with dying inmates, no medical staff were on the unit to help. Ironically, the deceased worked in HU6, but lived in HU4. The orangeman who passed, I had known for many years and although not a 'friend' of mine was a friendly man who was opposed to drugs and was a peaceful, passive guy. The following account of the incident is based on numerous witness statements:

On August 02, 2009 at around 11:15 p.m., inmate Tucker approached the HU4 control room clutching his chest and told COII Boshkov that he was having chest pains and his left side was partially numb. Tucker requested medical care. COII Boshkov did not get Tucker medical attention, essentially dismissing him.

At around 12:50 a.m., Tucker woke his bunk mate and asked him to get COII Boshkov. Tucker was feeling bad and thought he was experiencing a heart attack. His bunk mate immediately went and told COII Boshkov about Tucker's medical problem. Boshkov told Tucker's bunk mate that if Tucker was having problems, Tucker needed to tell him, himself. Tucker's bunk mate told Boshkov that Tucker needed immediate medical care; Boshkov did nothing.

Meanwhile, another COII entered the door to do his nightly security walk. Tucker's bunk mate informed this COII of Tucker's medical emergency. This COII immediately checked on Tucker, who was unresponsive, and began CPR; he also directed COII Boshkov to call 911. Boshkov did nothing, while another COII responding to the medical emergency the 2nd COII initiated, dialed 911.

After half an hour of being revived by CPR multiple times by the COII and being unconscious for around an hour, Tucson Fire Rescue arrived.

Tucson fire rescue took measures to save Mr. Tucker's life, but were unsuccessful. It was to late. Tucker was dead.

COII Boshkov did NOTHING to prevent Tucker's death.

On August 03, 2009, less than 24 hours after callously disregarding Tucker's life and health, Boshkov was working HU1 control room (where I live).

Local news has announced that the ADOC plans to relocate thousands of Tucson complex prisoners in order to make the Tucson complex a "Medical / Mental Health" hub for ADOC. Not only is this complex severely lacking trained security staff able to deal with the seriously ill inmates, lacking medical / mental health staff adequate to manage the general population, let alone an ill population, but the conditions of the units themselves are atrocious.

Top state officials are doing and will do anything to pinch a penney right now; everything except releasing non-violent offenders who post little risk to the public. Shame!

It would be interesting to see what amount of tax-dollars are being spent on Tucson Fire Dept. responding to the Tucson prison complex to provide emergency care to prisoners that ADOC neglects. TFD is at the prison complex often enough to have a station across the street. I guess it is cheaper to let Tucson Fire and Rescue provide care than to let ADOC do it... at least for ADOC it is.

A Best Friend's Day

August 17, 2009

Today my best friend stepped through the prison gates. No handcuffs or chains. No guards escorting him. No orange garb. Today Tony became a free man.

For years, other orangemen were amazed that two people so different got along so good. We don't know how or why this is so. It just is. My general pessimism. His general optimism. His strong faith in God. My fragile trust in the intangible and the faith-based. My rocky history. His fruitful history. Our differences are apparent. Yet, we are so well matched and inseparable that is is uncanny.

Contrary to our obvious differences, Tony and I share much in common, and our personalities really compliment each other. He is my first and only male best friend. I've always had female best friends, which for the most part were always emotionally draining. I'm heterosexual, thus heartache was always the result. But I never let many women close to me, let along a guy.

I am happy that Tony has gotten out. I truly am. Unfortunately, he left me here. Although I have friends, none I confide in and can openly communicate with regularly like I did with him. This is two best friends I've lost while in prison. First Pixie, now Tony.

"I'll write you ", "We're still friends", "I won't forget you", are all things I've been told. All bullshit lipservice, which has proved to only irritate me and leave me hurt and jaded. I hope that Tony will be there after my release, and I'll try to trust that he won't forget me and move on without me.

I'll do all I can to make sure Tony succeeds at restarting his life, just as I'll try to give him the benefit of the doubt. I will worry about him, because that's what I do...worry and stress. Similarly, I know he will worry about me.

If you're reading this, Tony, you're my best friend and the brother I never had (or thought I wanted). I've been lucky to have met you and I WILL see you again when my time comes to join you in society. Don't be a stranger and if you need me...I've got your back. Oh yeah, don't forget...I want a small BBQ with a couple of friends. If you bring the vegetables-I'll bring the turkey hotdogs! LOL.

Chris, take care of our friend and help him re acclimate back into society. It's a big culture shock switching instantly from prison life to life outside. I know this from experiencing it first-hand. Keep him busy, even if it's shooting darts every night and karaoke on weekends. Get him some work to do. Try not to suddenly surround him with new people. Socializing immediately with throngs of people after nearly 5 years of prison's social atmosphere is shocking, too. Again, I know this first-hand. It's highly stressful and very uncomfortable. Gradually help him come out of his shell. And finally, teach him how to get online and to locate fantastic websites. Namely mine! LOL.

Into the Darkness

July 17, 2009

Earlier tonight there was a major power outage at the Manzanita unit. A potentially catastrophic failure.

At around 7 PM, the power on the Manzanita unit went out. No lights. No air. No computerized door locks. No power gates. Nothing! The entire unit went black! Not even a perimeter fence light illuminated the 500 man unit.

Approximately 120 prisoners were on the recreation field, on smoke breaks, in religious services, and working in the kitchen when the power failed. The back-up generator sputtered and chugged laboriously. Then nothing. the power went on and off four or five times within the first 20 minutes. Strangely, the yard wasn't placed under lock-down immediately.

At around 7:30 pm, the unit was placed on lockdown and all prisoners were locked into their dorms.

Problem: There were approximately 500 prisoners locked into dorms, built for half that population. With NO air! NO lights! NO televisions! NO nothing! It was so hot (humid) and dark in the dorms. Guys were succumbing to the heat, and secondary emergency responses were called. In addition, the water was off too due to the electricity. NO toilets! NO showers! NO drinking water! And the guards failed to bring us water.

This situation turned out okay, in that nobody died, was killed or assaulted, or escaped. However, ADOC's response to this potentially catastrophic incident was one of confusion, panic and negligence.

Coincidentally, Cimmeron unit has had similar outages in the past month or so. Is it truly wise for legislators to cut building maintenance budgets, staff, etc, and continue to warehouse prisoners unnecessarily in these unconstitutional conditions?

I guess they (lawmakers) are just too blinded by their own agendas to see the serious threat to the public and the prison system THEY are creating with their deliberately indifferent lawmaking. When I say "THEY", I mean the Republicans and select Democrats who recently shot down the "idea" of releasing "some" prisoners early.

I am biased though. I'm one of those who could have been released early. Maybe AZ taxpayers would prefer this ridiculous spending and putting the ax to all other agencies (K-12, State Parks, etc.). What do you think?