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Prisonlandia, part 15

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  Observations   Occasionally, each unit goes through an audit which is conducted by the American Correctional Association (ACA). The interesting thing about these audits is that they are announced weeks or months in advance, giving each unit sufficient time to address possible issues. This process doesn’t seem to provide an accurate reflection of the system and the problems that fester within it. My suggestion: do unannounced audits and inspections so that the ACA can really see how the unit is managed and operated on a day-to-day basis. My observations over the years on each of my units has been that each unit is kind of run in a lackadaisical manner, was often undermanned, yet ran more efficiently than when they would begin preparing for an audit, had more staff, and began trying to fix and address all of the problems that they ignored for the rest of the year. There has got to be more accountability within our Prisonlandias and upon the staff who operate them. Having unann...
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Prisonlandia, part 14

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​ We Don’t Need to Lock up Everybody  Problems are not known or cared about until they show up on our doorstep and affect us personally. This is especially true about incarceration and how it affects our citizens and society as a whole. Did you know that despite China having a bigger population than the U.S., LESS people are incarcerated by their Communist government than here in our free country? Violent crimes and crimes where individual’s rights are clearly and directly violated, certainly need to be addressed. However, those that involve addictions, clear mental health issues, or simple “possession” issues, should not be herded up like cattle, demonized in their community, and tossed into Prisonlandia with ridiculous sentences. The U.S. is a country of laws indeed, but we’ve lost our way. What type of country have we become when we begin to lock away people for simply offending the moral sensibilities of empty suit politicians, legislators, and faceless, out of date “community...
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Prisonlandia, Part 13

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  Keep in Mind, You’re a Guest        Many of the men who are locked up, learned how to “be a man” in Prisonlandia. Consider the idea that many of those around you may not have had the opportunities that you had. They very likely did not have positive           influences to guide them down the right path. Many learned their version of manhood in Prisonlandia due to the lack of a father figure. Be mindful, that some of the things we discuss in this book that you may find odd, annoying, or uncouth, may very well be normal to many and great disrespect will be felt if you give the impression that you are belittling them, their culture, or speaking as though you are better or more “civilized”. Discernment is a valuable tool and one that you will need to have when dealing with those in Prisonlandia. You will need to be able to pick up on cues or people’s actions and words and be able to discern the true motives. Realize that simply becau...
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Prisonlandia, part 12

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  To Work or Not to Work   Having good health and being able to physically perform tasks is a truly rewarding thing that anyone should be thankful for, however, being compelled to work without benefit and under fear of disciplinary action if refused, can really suck the enjoyment out of a day's good work. In TDCJ, under the current law and policies, you can be forced to work through threats of disciplinary cases or loss of “good-time” which has no real value anyway. Many other states have determined that this “slave” like labor is wrong and have created laws which prohibit it. However, Texas is one of the last holdouts and is taking advantage of the power granted to the States by the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except  as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction” In fact, if you read th...
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