Today was an extremely difficult day in Aliceville. We had secure compounds all day. There were no movements and recreation was closed. A total of 4 fights, an officer was smacked across the face and there were screaming matches in the cafeteria. Today was a day where your patience and mental health were tested to the limit. I spent my entire morning in the medical office waiting for my “chronic Care” appointment and during that time I was privy to multiple conversations throughout the waiting room. Drugs, girlfriends, fights, tattoos, more drugs, other institutions, who is sleeping with who, the list goes on and on. It got me thinking. There has to be a better way to do this. There has to be a better system. The BOP incarcerates more Americans than any other federal government in the world. Many of those incarcerated are women. Many of those women having children. Instead of locking women up behind a gate with nothing to do but feed addictions and participate in unhealthy relationships, can’t there be a way to keep those who qualify at home on an ankle monitor and supervise them? Allow them access to real health care, substance abuse treatment, and jobs that will deter them from selling drugs?
Aliceville has programs available, in fact, I think they offer more “programs” than any other institution, however, there are 1500 inmates and only 20 get into each class. The wait lists are tremendous. So with no classes and no recreation, there is idol time. And idol time in prison often leads to trouble. There has to be a better way.
I am praying that I am able to make a difference when I leave prison. I want to be a voice for the horrific conditions that are in every institution across this country. I want America to know where their money isn’t going too. Because it isn’t going into rehabilitation. We have a huge problem within the BOP and I hope to be part of the change.
T.L.
