The BOP is clearly not in the logistics business. Also keep in mind that many County jails are utilized (and reimbursed well) for temporary holding of Federal inmates, even just overnight. We sat around getting processed out of Grady County jail late that morning and eventually took a bus to the OKC airport. There we sat on the bus a long time waiting for the plane and then for processing prisoners off the plane. Finally we got processed onto the plane. The plane was nearly full with probably 100 inmates and the usual Marshals and contractor security team. The late afternoon flight from OKC was very short, pretty much up and down, only to Springfield, Missouri. Then two full buses and a van took us to Greene County jail.
We arrived in their enclosed garage, which was full of several new and very fancy SWAT vehicles and other Sherriff ATVs, motorcycles, and cars. This would prove to be a very expensive and well-appointed building, but that doesn’t mean anything for the inmates. The processing here took about six hours with numerous intake steps through expensive scanners, finger printing, a drug sniffing dog, a nurse doing medical intake, several different holding cells and locations, and finally after midnight we settled back into the two large concrete rooms we first arrived, but now with a mat and blanket to sleep with 50 other men on the floor. These holding rooms had nothing but a bench along the walls and one toilet/sink combo. We had only received two PBJ sandwiches upon arrival, and did not receive any water except from the sink. We were still in our clothes and didn’t get any soap, toothpaste, or anything for hygiene or comfort.
Turns out we didn’t really need it, as only several hours later they woke us up and took our mats and blankets. Still nothing for hygiene. But we got two more PBJ sandwiches and a frozen juice carton. Then we sat and froze for another hour or two before they came and cuffed us and loaded us back on the buses. Back to the airport to board the same plane we just got off of the night before. I wondered where we would be headed next, where would I end up this time.
None of these flights were scary, despite being full of shackled prisoners; but they were very disheartening. Someone once told me that the BOP exists to “obliterate all hope.” I don’t know that I fully agree with that statement, but all of these transfers with bus and plane rides, what is known in the system as “diesel therapy,” certainly drained me of hope. All I could do the entire time I was on any of these bus rides or flights was to pray. I constantly prayed. Hail Mary’s, Our Father’s, Prayer to St Michael the Archangel, prayers of repentance, thanksgiving (yes, this is true), protection, for my family and loved ones; you name it, I prayed it.
