January 3rd, 2022
A new year and I'm
looking forward to the possibility of a new beginning. It's already
trending in the right way and I do feel a bit lighter in hope and
heart.
Now, condition-wise
here it's at an all time low, but I refuse to allow that to bring me
down into a pit of despair or negativity. But, so people know, it's
not uncommon for us to now go 6 days in a row without a shower. We
only get recreation around twice a month (if that) and lately it's
been sack meals on a regular basis. This is all due to extreme staff
shortages, and some guys have begun a hunger strike in protest. They
plan on carry it into January 17th and then a 'phase two'
that I won't get into at this point as I hope it doesn't go that far.
Meanwhile, I'm easing
back into writing more regularly here, doing a lot of introspection
and re-evaluation of myself. I know I've fallen short over the past
year and in trying to do better, it's acknowledging those
shortcomings and hurting the feelings of the one I love and
preventing that happening again. I've decided to re-read a book on
compassion that I've not looked at in years, and I've also begun a
daily meditation book on Jewish wisdom...I just want to do better.
So, yeah...2022 will be
what we choose to make it. It reminds me of what someone once told me
when I came to prison: “Prison is only as bad as you allow it to
be.” I think you can apply that to the new year. If we go into it
and work on it to be good, it will be okay...Bring it on!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace
January 5th, 2022
Another day of no
recreation, no showers, and sack meals. I mentioned the hunger strike
going on the other day and I joked that with the way these meals are
– literally a PB&J sandwich and a small cup of rice with meat
– we might as well be considered a part of that hunger strike as
well.
Speaking of the hunger
strike, the death row warden came through making a fuss and
threatening the guys, saying he doesn't “cater to terrorists.” He
then ordered the property officer to remove any food items from their
cells. Than, as a way to 'get back at them' he bumped our pod up on
the commissary rotation list so we can go to store on Friday, and
these guys on hunger strike will see the bags of food and not be able
to go to make store. It's all very cruel and intentional.
It's not like these
guys have a bunch of unrealistic demands...There are a couple that
they want that aren't realistic, but they can return our phone calls,
bring back special visits, and create a more positive environment by
encouraging both physical and mental health welfare. Heck, a member
of mental health staff hasn't been through in months! We routinely
have one officer working the pod, while another officer bounces
between two pods to do a security check. How do we not have the
National Guard in here? Why is the general public not informed? It's
got to change because I'm telling you now...this is a recipe for
disaster! Whether it be security, mental health, physical health, or
worse.
I suggest people
contact politicians, state officials, even the media, and ask what's
going on at Polunsky. Why are state officials seemingly trying to
cover up a crisis or not address these staff issues? Giving a $500
gift certificate to employees to recruit people is not a solution –
yes, TDCJ is really doing that. When you fix how the prisons are run,
you will keep employees, but when you have a 22 year old, barely
educated, no life experience etc, becoming a 'supervisor' and
sergeant, telling people twice their age what to do...You can't
expect people to want to work here.
Something has to change
and people on the outside can't sit by passively...We can only do so
much on our own.
But enough of that...I
refuse to let it bring me down and infect my hope and positivity. I
do however have a brief little rant on the arbitrariness of the death
penalty...Yesterday I was listening to the news about a guy from
Harris County (The Houston area) receiving an execution date. I won't
go into the crime other than to say it's very politically motivated
in the sense that the Harris County DA has chosen to seek an
execution date for him, now that his appeals are exhausted. There are
dozens of others whose appeals have been completely – and I mean
done, finished, nothing left to file, exhausted, for YEARS, but
because this case is specifically politically motivated, he's the
one who gets an execution date?? Does this seem okay to people?
Don't look at the
crime...Don't look at what you believe or don't believe concerning
the death penalty. If the punishment can't equally be applied, how
then is it fair? Why is it okay for the DA to decide which execution
dates are positively expedient, and which aren't? Why does the DA
get to say,
“For this
case...we're doing it for closure, justice, for the victim's family”
Let me be clear...I
want NO ONE to have a date, but you can't claim to have a fair system
when it's clearly not. A similar situation happened to me...My
appeals weren't even finished but because I was a 'part' of the 'TX
7', the DA didn't even care. Meanwhile, another guy's appeals – out
of the same court – had completely exhausted, and to this day he
still hasn't received an execution date. Why do we allow politics
into the mix? If justice is truly equal (and it really isn't) then
why the cherry picking on the issue of the death penalty?
Rant over...I just wish
people would think about things.
That's about it for the
day!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace
January 6th, 2022
Thursday
morning...another day without showers. You know, I am capable of
taking care of myself. I can use my sink to 'bathe' and it's
effective enough to stay clean, but what about these guys that either
have horrible hygiene habits, or are mentally ill? Days on end
without being taken to the shower has got to lead to some real
funkiness in some of these cells.
So, the hunger-strike
is on day four now, and one of the men involved was taken to talk to
one of the wardens (I don't know which one, yet). We don't yet know
what it's about, but I'll have an update whenever the guy returns.
Okay, update...as of
now, we were told that our 5 minute phone calls will be returned. The
problem now is the lack of staff to do the calls so we don't know
when they'll happen. They are waiting on the orders for the
televisions to put up in the day rooms, and of course whenever
Securus puts in the system for the tablets, we'll receive our tablets
when its up and running. So, whatever the Head Warden told the guys
they feel it's enough to end the hunger strike. Not all of the guys
are going to stop the hunger strike though, as they want to see
action, and not just be told what they want to hear. But it appears
to be a step in the right direction.
I still think it's
incumbent on those who do support us back here to stay on the
administration and Huntsville. No one is asking for anything out of
the ordinary, and it's well within policy to be treated humanely when
the rest of the country is decades ahead of the TDCJ in terms of
treatment, conditions, and technology. I don't expect to live in a
country club, but I do expect to be treated like a human being; to
bathe, to get out of my cell so I can stretch my legs, to have access
to talk to loved ones. We're not China or Iran...We're the United
States of America.
I find it ironic that a
lot of the 'lock 'em up and throw away the key' people are the same
ones who are outraged by the treatment of those that tried to destroy
the capital building a year ago today. I hear Trump supporters,
conservatives, say,
“They feed them
horrible, they keep them isolated blah blah blah”
As if this is out of
the ordinary treatment. Well,it's not! This is how some prisons treat
people who break the law, right or wrong. The capital rioters did
break the law, but because you support them, they're suddenly being
treated unfairly. Maybe these people will realise that hundreds of
thousands of prisoners are treated this way, or worse. These people
do deserve to be treated humanely. I 100% agree, but so do we. The
solution is simple. It's been said you can judge a society by the way
they treat its prisoners. That's a powerful observation.
Okay, so the hunger
strike is over. If the warden doesn't keep his word they'll move into
'phase two' and that entails disruption. I've advised against any act
of violence or anything that can be construed as a violent act. I
told them it was counter productive and they would lose any
credibility as well as control over their message. You can't argue
you don't want to be treated like an animal and then turn around and
act like an animal...I really hope that sinks in and they take heed
of that.
An important notice per
Warden Dickerson for people who visit Polunsky Unit from over 250
miles – you do qualify for an 'extended' four hour visit. If the
secretary tells you “no”, then you need to ask the secretary her
name and then ask to speak to Warden Dickerson. He said himself,
while there are no 'special' visits you may ask for an extended visit
and receive it on your schedule day (for death row that would be
Tuesday/Thursday, or Saturday night).
Also, vaccinated or
not, all visitors are required to pass a COVID test before entering
the unit and must show up to the unit one hour before their scheduled
visits.
That's all the current
information available at this point.
Amazingly, as I write
this they've started showers. We were told not to expect them over
the weekend. Showers will be when they can free up the officers to do
them from pod to pod, so it won't be an every day thing...
Bird bathing out of the
sink gets the job done, and I have to thank the heavens for running
water in my cell. I'm grateful for that and mindful that a good
portion of the world doesn't have even the most basic of running and
clean water facilities. Please don't misinterpret my gripes...but
geeze, nothing beats a hot shower.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
January 8th, 2022
Saturday...I've spent a
good amount of the day writing and keeping busy. I'm reflecting a lot
on my time here which lead to a really deep conversation with a guy a
few cells down the run. I've known him for 18 plus years now, and it
hasn't been until the last 5 or 6 years we became good friends.
Different lives, philosophies, and outlooks...He lacks a filter so
when he speaks or gives an opinion you get it in full – no holds
barred. That's been off putting for me, but over the years – while
still being blunt at times – he's learned to 'think' before he
speaks and honestly, he's turned into one of the most selfless and
giving people back here.
So, we began to talk
and he said,
“Randy, help me
figure something out...I've thought about this for a while
now...Don't take this the wrong way or as an insult...”
“Okay,” I said, not
really sure where he was going.
“You escaped in 2000
because you had no hope. You had no family, and didn't want to be in
prison for 30 years...But now, you're fighting tooth and nail, and I
genuinely hope you win, knowing it might result in a life effing
sentence! If you couldn't do a 30 year sentence, why on earth would
you want a life sentence? You're back where you started!”
I told him he was
right...At 23 I had nothing. No support, no family, no friends...No
hope. Thirty years might have just as well been a life sentence. I
had no sense of self or purpose. I had no goals, and while music was
always a dream – a fantasy of sorts – I didn't ground it in a
purpose-driven reality. Any other 'talent' such as writing, was
under-developed. I had ideas aplenty, but no direction and no
confidence...But being alone? That deep-seated fear of being alone in
prison? That was the catalyst and ultimate driving force. I was sold
on the idea of starting over, being wherever I wanted to be and that
fantasy of a 'new life'...It wasn't until after the escape and the
horrors that followed that I said,
“What have I gotten
myself into?”
While being a screw-up
and making awful decisions as a teen, I was not who my co-defendants
were. I truly wanted no part of it. Even though before the escape I
knew what they wanted to do to 'situate' everyone, I didn't want to
scare or hurt anyone. And I wanted no part of guns! I've never liked
guns. I wish with all of me that I could go back in time and keep
myself in prison. I wish that none of what followed ever happened.
Never mind what happened to me...If I could prevent countless lives
from having been forever affected, I would.
When I came to death
row I was stone set against the idea of life in prison. I was in no
hurry to die, especially for something I didn't take part in, but the
idea of the rest of my life in prison? I couldn't fathom it and
honestly, with how most people were executed back in those days,
(over 200 since I've been here) I didn't expect to last long. I even
wrote a poem about it back here called, 'Terminal Illness'. My days
were numbered and I was certain of it. All I could do was live as
best I could.
I suffered depression
and still struggle with insecurity, hopelessness, and a fear of dying
alone. My late friend and mentor, who saw potential in me (having
been an English teacher and a writer himself) began to encourage me
to write more...
“Don't focus on being
technical, we'll work on that. Just write.”
Then he encouraged me
to write a journal...
“Don't focus on
content. Whether it's a paragraph or a page, look inward and write.”
Another friend I was
getting to know was a psychologist. I shared a few journals and he
said,
“May I put these on
my page?”
I said,
“Sure, yeah.
Whatever. Go for it.”
Suddenly people were
interested in my thoughts...He offered to build the very first
website I had back in 2005. Two years into being on death row. As I
developed as a writer and found my 'voice', I grew into a confidence,
but more importantly, I grew as a person. I began to view life
through a completely different lens. When I first read 'Field Notes
on the Compassionate Life' it opened me up to mindfulness,
compassion, and empathy as a way of life. Sometimes I struggled, and
even had a few set backs. Conditions, apathy, cruel guards, losing
friends or someone you love for reasons beyond your control can fuel
resentment, fear, and self-doubt. It can make you say,
“What am I not doing
right? Why do I keep losing everything?”
Or,
“Why can't I break
old behaviour patterns?”
Okay, I'm not as bad
with impulse control, but its still there! I still don't always
think! It can lead to anger...It can lead to selfishness...I've even
turned my back on G-d a few times.
But even through all of
that, my will to live...to fight...to want so much more out of
life...to right my wrongs, and to give, just grew. Even with legal
set back after set back, all I could do was push forward. I refused
to just quit.
When I had a date I was
awestruck by the amount of support that poured out. I'll forever be
grateful for that. My faith had returned a year or two before and
meeting a Rabbi for the first time in years, reconnected me to my
Jewish heart. I could clearly see that while I had turned my back on
G-d, G-d has always been there. It helped me to get through being on
death watch. The love of friends, and Taffy, showed me I wasn't
alone. But even after my stay, as amazing as it was, and as grateful
as I had been, I still had trouble seeing a 'future'. Fears of being
alone, abandoned, living a life in horrible conditions, crept back
in...Where is the purpose or meaning in that? It sucked!
I struggled...I got
angry again...I made poor and self-sabotaging choices...I pushed
Taffy away – the person I loved more than anything, but she still
stood by me – because I was hurt over things that came solely from
my own fears, and an inability to communicate at times...I switched
off my mindfulness, went on autopilot and thought only of myself. How
could I expect to find meaning and purpose in that way?
Even if I 'knew' what I
wanted to do (to be better, to give, to help others in prison) I
couldn't 'see' a pathway to get there. Yeah, I prayed and G-d gave me
sign after sign, and showed me a way...But I couldn't see it until
two things happened:
- the Field Minister asked me the “Why you” question, and
- I almost completely lost the one person I loved so much, and more than anything else in the world: my Taffy...I almost lost her not because she wanted to leave, but because I pushed her away.
When I talked to a guy
called Tim – a devout Christian dude – outside one day, I knew
that sometimes you can't expect it all to work out, or for life to be
all hunky dory...You have to do your part, put the work in. My
friend, David, had told me this years ago and I'd forgotten it.
Regardless of your belief system, (I'm not Christian) I do think that
G-d can reveal 'truths' in numerous ways. I had a way to move forward
on a much clearer path with the sunlight leading the way. Things have
happened since then that I can only describe as 'divine'. I have
Taffy, the love of my life, back with me; and our openness, our
honesty, and our laying bare our fears, vulnerabilities, and insights
into myself, but more importantly, being told by Taffy,
“I know your
potential for goodness, and for doing great things. I want to help
you get there.”
My heart grew 3 times
bigger!
The same Field Minister
recently told me,
“Almost all of the
Field Ministers, and soon to be graduating class of peer counsellors,
have either life or capital life sentences. You don't have to be a
Christian to be either. Yes, the Field Minister program is rooted in
Christian practice, but there's nothing saying it's a requirement.
Our duty isn't to preach or convert – it's to be of service to your
fellow inmates.”
I said,
“That's it. That's
what I want. I want a life of purpose and service.”
“Dude, if you can
give your word as a man, you'll put in the work, truly dedicate
yourself to this – and let me tell you, it ain't easy. We get
threatened, we get cussed at, we have to listen to horrendous life
stories from other inmates. We have to pass on news of family members
dying of COVID on a daily basis. It's hard. If you are real about it,
if you came back after a new trial, I'll get you in that program.”
I looked at him with a
bit of doubt and said,
“Man..I'm an
escapee...The State will never allow it, not after all that
happened.”
He said,
“Randy, I WILL get
you in that program. If I have to put MY credibility, hard earned
trust, and word on the line, I will. I know you have a plan...You
have purpose.”
So, why fight on if it
means a life sentence? Because 'purpose' isn't restricted whether
you're locked up or free. To quote a favourite line from 'Shawshank
Redemption'
“Get busy living, or
get busy dying.”
No part of our future
is written in stone. “Always in motion it is” as Yoda said. Our
choices, our decisions, by definition of 'free will'...Those things
are up to us. G-d may very well know the outcome, but how we get
there is up to us. I couldn't see that at 23 years old...Heck, I
couldn't see that two years ago.
If I can somehow
prevent one person from going to prison, or help a troubled youth, or
convince parents to not close the door on their screw-up child, or
keep a guy from returning to prison ever again...That life sentence
is worth it. Do I want a life sentence? Uh...no...but if that happens
I have the choice on whether I make it the most fulfilling life
possible, or walk away in misery. I want a life of light and love.
For all of that...my
pouring out my heart...I got a,
“Cool. You do you!”
ha ha
I don't know if others
were listening or not, but I hope it helped someone if they were.
I've said this before
and haven't always done this, but true compassion comes through
work...It comes from a determined way of life. Kindness is easy, but
kindness can be merely window dressing. Some people are truly and
naturally kind, but compassion requires the practice of putting self
– ego – behind in service of a fellow human being. Just as
forgiveness is an action and a choice. I have a lot to work on within
myself, and I know the road ahead is going to be long, stressful, and
full of bumps, but I'm up for the challenge. I have all I need...I'm
ready for the journey!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
January 12th, 2022
Wednesday...The days
are clicking by. It's 90 days exactly since the Judge made her
recommendation for a new trial. I guess the CCA could make its ruling
any time going forward. It could be now...It could be months. I
always find it interesting when the courts want to rush appeals or
attorneys, and then when something is sat on a desk they'll take
their time deciding
Yesterday, Huntsville
Maintenance (the TDCJ control headquarters) came checking the coax
outlets in our day rooms, preparing to hook up the TVs – we still
don't know when all of this will happen, but hey, it's a step in the
right direction. In the meantime, the chaplaincy has been given
permission to roll in a huge TV to each section to show a movie every
now and then. We don't know when this will happen either.
The prison radio
station was on National Public Radio today, which is cool! Now, if
only someone would report on conditions!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
January 17th, 2022
It's Martin Luther King
Day and I'm recovering after a weird 3 ½ day virus. Omicron? I don't
know, but I can't rule it out. The symptoms were almost identical to
whatever it was I had in Dallas, but shorter lived. What I do know is
that Omicron has been going through the unit like wild fire, so I
can't rule it out. So weird though, to be sick at the exact same time
as I was sick last year.
We've had showers today
which was a pleasant surprise. I was out of bed at 6am and exercised
and had my shower, and I'm using today to restart the new year and
push on through.
It dawned on me that
today is thirty years to the day that I first attended school at
Oneida Baptist Institute, a boarding school in Kentucky. I remember
sitting class as a video of U2's 'Pride: In the Name of Love' was
playing on a news channel. I don't remember much else of that day.
Well, someone made fun of my name and called me 'Randy Travis' and a
girl said, “The new boy is cute.” (ha ha). So strange what sticks
in our memories.
Thirty
years...wow...Much of my memory of being a teenager remains strongly
intact. There are areas that are a blur, but part of it feels like
yesterday. I do miss Kentucky in some ways...The rolling hills and
mountains, the crisp fresh air filled with the sweet smell of pine
and oak. The snow and mild summers. A beautiful land. You often don't
realise how much you miss something until you're parted from it.
Kentucky will always be a part of me.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
January 19th, 2022
It's a warm Wednesday and I'm trapped in the cell. I slept in until 7.30am this morning because I got up at 4am for breakfast, and The Tank was really jamming! I heard a 10 minute live version of the Cure's song, 'Faith' and it blew my mind. There was a bunch of good music on, so I listened for an hour and went back to sleep.
Breakfast turned into a debacle and it had me a little upset, but even though I was screwed over, the guard must have felt bad for giving my tray to someone else and offered me an extra one. I turned it down, but did thank him. I just wasn't happy how initially he deliberately tried to miss me out of breakfast and I caught him.
We've not had clean clothes in a couple of days, which now seems to be another thing going out the window along with recreation and the rare shower. I heard on the prison radio station that the unit just received a huge truck load of 'meals ready to eat' (MREs). These are supposed to mitigate the paltriness of the sack meals we routinely receive. If true, it'll be a great improvement on sack meals. I say, bring it on!
That's the day...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
January 20th, 2022
As I write this, the place has exploded into mess and chaos...so loud! I guess everyone is restless because we've been cooped up for so long. I'm on day four of my 'super' workouts and it's helping to mitigate a bit of the stress and anxiety of being trapped in the cell for so long.
The administration keeps asking for patience and they tell us,
“TVs and tablets are coming!”
But they're not coming quickly enough. These things appear to still be some time away. I can handle it, but others are starting to mentally and emotionally break down. There's a lot of growing anger back here and if it boils over God help us all. I pray it doesn't because it won't be good for us condition-wise as it'll give haters ammunition. Some of these officers are already starting propaganda to derail the tablet program by lying and telling people on the outside that it will allow us open access to the internet, which is a lie. It's a closed network! Securus tech controls all content. No one can give an example of the tablets ever being hacked to access things they aren't supposed to. TDCJ would never allow the tablet program if they believed it wasn't 100% secure, and a closed network.
Most officers are for it though. It's just moving so slowly.
My anxiety is mostly coming from the wait on the CCA. I had made an active choice when I returned from Dallas to not let the conditions here poison me. I'm doing surprisingly well on that front.
I'll pause here as the guards just told me I had a legal phone call...
I'm back from my call. I really enjoy talking to my legal team. They informed me that a Minister wrote a supportive Op-Ed piece on my case. It's been published in a Conservative Evangelical publication called The Baptist Standard. I was a little surprised at that, but I'm extremely grateful that someone in the Christian community would see the injustice in my case and agree it's an issue that should be taken seriously by all faiths.
There's a link to the article under the 'Welcome' tab, in 'Announcements'.
Otherwise, as of now, there's no movement in the courts and we're waiting on the CCA's decision. I did discover, on the way back to my cell, that Securus is on the unit and they've for sure begun to put in the infrastructure for the tablets. Very exciting!!
Tonight's movie on The Tank is 'Harriet' which is about the life of Harriet Tubman, and the underground rail road. I'm looking forward to that.
Well, on with the day!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
January 21st, 2022
As I write this it's
6.40pm and I'm listening to 'Return
of the Jedi' – my favourite of all the Star Wars movies. Yeah, I
like the Ewoks....I have no shame in that.
It's
actually the perfect distraction because I'm a little down...Our
section was supposed to have a phone call today. We were missed out
of it on MLK day and then it happened again. Every other section has
had 3 phone calls since they re-started them, and the section I live
on just keeps getting screwed over. It's frustrating. Tomorrow we're
going to complain, and whilst I'm happy that people are getting their
calls again, it's only fair that we, too get ours.
I
really wanted to call Taffy, even if only for a few minutes...Those
few minutes would make up for the two months of no recreation, for
sure!
Anyways,
apparently they had a lot of the mentally ill come in today from
wherever they were. They'll be housed on D/E/F pods. I think it'll
fundamentally change the building and how its run, but I'm hoping for
the best.
I'll
go ahead and announce that in a few weeks I'll have a new poetry
collection published on Amazon. I'm very excited about it and my
Webmaster will post details of it soon. [Note from the Webmaster:
Randy's new poetry book, 'Nothing Beats As Loud As My Heart', is now
published and can be found on paperback and Kindle on Amazon]. The
goal is to have it available to purchase by Valentine's Day.
A
bit later, it will be the official release of my memoir, 'Falling
Down'. I'm getting back into the process of writing a screenplay as
well. It's great to be on a creative roll again.
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
January 22nd, 2022
Today feels 'different'...I can't explain it. We have no recreation, no showers, but I feel more hopeful and positive. There's a couple of reasons why...Firstly, as I write this they've been wheeling in a HUGE 60” TV and DVD player to each death row section, showing us movies – movies we haven't seen in (for some) 20 plus years. That's pretty big news!
The second reason is Securus is installing the infrastructure to get the tablet system up and running. It's projected to take 1 ½ months-2months to get it all installed.
But the biggest thing is how last night I received a Jpay from my good friend, Clinton Young – all it said was “You're next!” And it included a picture of him free – I mean, like, FREE, in the world. I thought it was so cool and I just smiled and thought...wow, anything is really possible. He spent 18 ½ years on death row, had an execution date, and now he is free. I've been thinking of how hard he fought for that moment and never gave up. So many of us dream of that second chance and I have to say...I'd been getting into this 'growing comfortable' with the possibility of a life sentence, but while I can accept that, I also know that nothing is impossible. Sure, there are the odds, but Hans Solo says it best in Empire Strikes Back - “Never tell me the odds.” The fact that Clinton's words were “You're next” - that was like a realisation...A Eureka moment for me.
I have this sort of prayer/mantra this morning where I say, “G-d is good. G-d is merciful. I will win my appeals. I will live.” And now I'm going to add even more to it. I will one day have a true second chance.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
January 25th, 2022
There's a new officer
running all over the place – 4 working our pod today and we still
can't get recreation. So, I sit in my cell trying to keep myself busy
and positive.
There's a guy on the
run that is starting to get on my nerves...He's like the dude version
of a 'Debbie Downer'. He lives in misery and everything is so
negative. He wants to argue about every little thing, and he calls
people who reach out in friendship to us from the outside, 'crazy' or
'having psychological issues' if they want to be our friend. And yet,
there's also a side of him that can be helpful and nice. The duality
of humans...When he goes negative and dark I take a deep breath and
say,
“Don't let it get to
you.”
Like, last night there
was a heartbreaking movie called 'I Still Believe' on The
Tank...Ugh...A very sad movie and yeah, I was all teared up listening
to it, and this guy says, trying to clown me...
“I bet Randy is in
his cell crying right now with this pussy-ass movie.”
I thought,
“Yeah....Yeah, I am.
I'm not a sociopath.”
I think that with the
lack of recreation we're all getting under each others' skins. I'm
sure I'm equally as annoying to others when I sing to a great song.
This morning I was
listening to some pop radio station where the morning DJ's have this
thing called 'revenge' in which a person calls their ex up and clowns
them on the radio. A lot of the morning shows do little bits like
this for the entertainment of their listeners and I thought, you
know...this can't be healthy. It's done for laughs, but what about
the damage it does to society as a whole, when programs encourage
'revenge' for the sake of entertainment. It's kind of twisted when
you really stop to think about it.
I think the growing
cases of domestic violence are because we're lacking in empathy and
compassion. We feel slighted so we have to get the other back. When
media or social media encourage this kind of behaviour, we can't sit
back and be shocked because we – as a society – have encouraged
it. Think about it...think of how revenge driven our society is
whether its social/domestic issues at home, in our justice system or
even in politics. Look at all of the reality shows out there that
play up “drama” for entertainment value. It's soul sucking...It's
dangerous.
It's just something
that has been swirling around my brain. I'm reading 'Field Notes On
The Compassionate Life', and I read it years ago and recently felt
the need to reconnect with the ideas in the book...I highly recommend
it for people to read.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
January 26th, 2022
Another day of no recreation and no showers, but I'm managing to keep the day moving. I'm smiling because the 'Buzz' around here has been about my friend, Clinton, becoming free. Even the guards are talking about it. I'm smiling to myself because this is a dude that has been my friend for most of my time here.
We actually began talking when in 2005 we were both on 'Level 2' discipline...I had been put on discipline along with my entire section for something we didn't even do, after the Major at the time got mad that a few guys were yelling at the guards following a use of force. It sucked, but I made the best of my 90 days on F-Pod.
Clinton and I started to talk, go outside to rec and kick it, and play a little basketball. Even though our personalities are drastically different, politically, and how we see the world, we never let that get in the way of our friendship. At that time I was trying to be vegetarian, and I offered him the turkey off my Thanksgiving tray.
There was this one time, a crazy dude named 'Chester' was in the day room, and he began to do Kung Fu moves like he was beating someone up. Then Chester pulled out an imaginary pen and did a signature...We were laughing so hard! Clinton said,
“He whooped that dude's ass so bad that he had to sign that ass whooping.”
Years later we were outside on a hot summer day...The outside rec yards were filthy so we decided to clean it all up. We clogged the drains in the concrete and began to flush the outside toilets until the water spilled over..Soon the entire rec yard was filled with water. We splashed around and kicked water at each other like little kids. Through the window a commissary lady saw us, ran off and told a sergeant what we were doing. When he came outside to investigate, Clinton said,
“We're cleaning the rec yard. What's up?”
The sergeant looked at us, looked at the water and said,
“Okay.”
Then he just walked off.
Clinton always had these grand ideas...Even bigger than mine, and I'd piss him off at times when I'd say,
“Dude...Keep yourself grounded.”
But often he'd pull his ideas off and I realise now that it's because he always believed. Even when the odds were against him. He never gave up or quit. It's inspiring! Clinton and I share the common goal of improving life, not just for those on death row, but for all prisoners.
I am proud to be his friend over the years, and seeing him succeed in life is what I hope he does. He's inspired me to believe more in my own achievements and goals. I know he'll be a force for good in the world. I think those that get off death row have an obligation to show the world the humanity and that we're not who the state or media portrays us to be. I really hope I have my chance to do that. I really do!
I just heard on the prison radio station that Clinton did an interview with Keri Blakinger of the Marshall Project, so I hope the station gets a hold of it and plays it.
It looks like another week without a ruling from the CCA on my case...I remain hopeful. Please...pray for me!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace
January 28th, 2022
Over two months now without recreation and three days without a shower. Crazy...Really crazy.
As I write this, 12 Building, where death row is housed along with the 'Restrictive Housing' inmates, is undergoing a massive transformation that gives me cause for alarm.
Apparently, they are shipping in a bunch of mentally ill inmates, swapping them out with the restrictive housing inmates. I don't know the number of inmates but the goal is to house a large number of mentally ill people on 12 Building.
I think this will be an unmitigated disaster for several reasons:
- The officers that work this building are NOT trained to work with mental health patients. In a solitary confinement environment the solution to deal with someone who is having a mental breakdown is to use force. Plus, placing an already mentally ill person in solitary only accelerates the problem causing further deterioration. Psychologists and neuroscientists know this.
- The Polunsky psychiatric department is a joke. They don't do routine check ups, as is required for ALL inmates on 12 Building. They don't do counselling. They don't care if an inmate is living in an unsanitary cell. I can give countless examples of abuse by the psychiatric department. One doctor being so cruel and apathetic that I nicknamed her, 'Nurse Ratched', from 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'.
- I believe that housing these guys here is going to lead to a greater staffing issue because most guards are young and aren't prepared to deal with an inmate going through a mental crisis. The stress will cause them to quit.
I've been incarcerated for 25 ½ years now...I know how the system works and I know what will happen. Mark my words: it'll be a mess.
On a happier note, our section is supposed to get to watch a movie today or tomorrow. Even if it's a 'faith based' movie, I'll watch because I've not seen a full movie up close and personal on a flat screen TV ever in my life. This will be the very first time. I'm kind of curious to see how my brain responds to it. I'm taking a scientific approach to all of this...ha ha.
It's later now....I had a call with my legal team – no news as yet. The hallway was as busy as Grand Central Station as they are shipping 170 men from AD-SEG. I must have seen about 30-40 officers moving around. It looked wild. Apparently, from one of the sergeants, the mentally ill people coming in are going to be the first participants in a new mental health program. I still don't know how putting the mentally ill in solitary confinement helps anyone, but who knows? With all that's going on, the Field Minister said that we probably won't get to watch a movie this weekend. I was disappointed to hear that, but maybe next week! I do hope the mental health program is good, though.
All in all, there's much to look forward to and though the conditions suck here, I feel intuitively that better things are on the horizon.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
January
30th, 2022
It's
Sunday and we're at the tail end of another month. I've been on
cruise control this weekend, listening to some movies, doing a little
writing, catching up on reading, and doing a whole lot of thinking.
Even
though I've made a conscious decision to not inject too much politics
into my writings of late, I find myself chomping at the bit to get on
my soap box. What really has my goat is when politicians and far
right pundits say liberals or the Democratic party don't care about
keeping the country safe, or they've turned their backs on
police...That same 'tough on crime' rhetoric is creeping back into
the national dialogue that created more jails, prisons, and young
minorities to fill up the prisons, giving the US the title of 'most
incarcerated in the world'.
You
hear them talking about too many criminals on bail, and we need more
jail space, and if you say, “wait...hold on...we've tried this
before and it was a disaster” you are anti-police or against
keeping communities safe. When it comes to bail – and what you
aren't hearing from the right is, for every one person that makes
bail, and commits another crime, violent or otherwise, 20 others
aren't getting in trouble.
We
can build more jails and prisons, but who's going to work in them?
The major counties such as Harris, Bexar, Dallas, and Tarrant, are
facing critical staff shortages. The Texas prison system is facing
the same crisis.
We
know that locking everyone up isn't the solution, and yet, as in the
definition of insanity, the US keeps on trying the same things
expecting different results. Why is it that Republicans at large
blame Democrats for the rising violence in cities, when it's their
policies and legislation that have lead to this unease? They continue
to pass laws that make it easier to obtain guns; they de-fund our
educational system; they won't pour money into solutions that do work
such as drug treatment programs, and mental health programs; they
refuse to give money to lower income areas, but will give huge breaks
to pharmaceutical companies that have created many of these opiate
crises we've seen.
So,
I ask you this question: If people on the left have offered solution
after solution or at least said, “Let's just try this...please!”
And Republicans declare them being soft on crime or refuse to offer
any other solution other than 'lock 'em all up', who is really at
fault? Who doesn't have the police's back?
Don't
buy it, folks – as a person locked up for more than half of my
life, I can see the problems from the inside out. You need people to
offer up progressive, even experimental solutions. You need the
resources to implement these things.
Take
the prison radio station here on Polunsky Unit. In spite of all the
TDCJ's problems, the radio station with all it has to offer from
faith based programs (of all faiths), educational programming,
entertainment, and also offering up the ability for us in solitary
confinement to interact with the station and participate as a
community member with the Unit at large – it has changed lives. You
need a person that can think outside of the box, like Warden
Dickerson, but more importantly, you need a willing society to say
“You know what? Nothing thus far has worked...let's try something
different.”
Stop
believing that people on the left are 'soft on crime'. Stop believing
Democrats don't care. At least they're willing to try new ideas. I
assure you they care more about criminal justice and the police than
those on the right that claim they do. They, on the left just want
the system to be truly fair...Is that too much to ask for?
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 2nd, 2022
We're all bracing
ourselves for the winter storm that's on its way in right now...I
remember when it hit last year. We'd just gotten past the first big
COVID outbreak, learned that of a guy died from COVID (he lived under
us at the time) and another guy, 'Tree', landed in the hospital.
Then...the storm of all storms hit and we were freezing! The heat was
out and then the pipes burst so we had no water. The two times in the
three days they brought us any water, it was so filthy and
disgusting...It got to the point where we were wondering if we boiled
our own pee in a hot pot, would it be safe to drink? Eventually, they
allowed us to buy 6 bottles of 16 ounce water bottles. Geeze, what a
nightmare of a time! The winter storm isn't expected to be as severe
this year, but it will be in the 20s here in Livingston.
They did phone calls
yesterday...Apparently, now we can only call those on our visitation
list. A couple of my neighbours were upset at that but I had a
wonderful call with Taffy, and it put some pep in my step for sure.
One of the Field
Ministers came by and said they were going to try to get the TVs over
to my section in a day or two so we can watch a movie. I hope they
do. I'm just curious to see what it's going to look like.
Honestly, outside of
the possibility to have phone calls via the tablets, when they come,
most people are excited to be able to purchase movies on them. Now,
don't get me wrong. I do think that'll be awesome and I'm equally
excited, but it's the music app I'm most looking forward to....I get
to rediscover music, and not be force fed the garbage that plays out
on mainstream radio, and to actually find new and great music, or
music I've never heard before. To hear old favourite albums, bands
etc I really can't wait. I told the guys around me that they might
not hear from me for a few days as I have years of music to catch up
on. There will be dancing and booty shaking...So...
“If the cell is
rockin' don't come knockin'!”
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
February 3rd, 2022
Today is like a ghost town here...As I write this, they've kept the lights off unless there's a security check, but they're so short staffed they have one female officer going between A and B Pods to do security checks. I don't think anyone came to work because of the big winter storm and freeze expected to happen. It's a bit weird it's happening at the exact same time as it happened last year. Most of us are prepared this time, though. We're loaded up on bottled water, we have containers filled up as well. We were caught off our toes last year, and three days of no water was not a fun experience. I hope it's not bad though, and no burst pipes!
I was talking to a guy a few cells down, named Ivan Cantu. He was telling me about his podcast that makes the case for his innocence. He's always claimed his innocence, but he doesn't want to tell you that...Instead, he tells you all of the time,
“I want people to decide for themselves. Look at all of the facts and evidence and come to their own conclusion. I think if they do that, and see all of that I lay out there – the good, the bad, and everything in between, they'll realise I'm telling the truth."
I've not heard his podcast but I felt it worth mentioning here – it's called, 'Cousins by Blood' and it can be found on almost any platform that carries podcasts. And again, come to your own conclusion! From my personal conversations with him, I'm convinced, and I think he's a kind dude. But come to your own conclusion. In a strange 'it's a small world' kind of way, he went to school with my ex-wife, and they once knew each other. Crazy...
I'm really making the effort to reconnect with my writing. I think my biggest hurdle has been the lack of stimuli and things happening back here, to write about. When I used to move every week or two weeks, I had new things to write about. Incidences, people, events. Now, after 19 years I don't get moved any more which is cool, but with not having recreation and only talking to the guys near me, and the conditions in this place...I can either gripe about things (which, I'm trying not to do anymore – negativity is poison to the soul) or stare at a piece of paper and wonder what to write about.
The flip side of that, creatively, my brain is firing on all cylinders! I had an idea for an app that (if) no one else has done it yet would be revolutionary. It's something the world needs and I'd be sad if it's already been done though (ha ha).
I have several ideas for a screen play which I'm already working on. Then, there's the release of another poetry collection, and then my Memoir. I'm super excited. I've been writing a follow up Memoir in my head and once I have some resolution in my appeals, I will get it on paper. It will be about life in prison, and the true account of the escape. All proceeds from that Memoir will be donated to a fallen officer foundation/fund of some sort. I'm limited in the ways I can give back to society, but I'm trying to do my best. It's putting the whole compassion, remorse, redemption into action.
Anyways, I may not always have something to write about, but there will be more content, on the site, so please keep checking back, and spread the word amongst your friends to visit randy-halprin.net.
On a final note, today, I heard a report that there's been a shortage of blood supplies. People aren't donating. I'd like to encourage people to give 'the gift of life' and go out and give blood. Take a little time out of the day and save a life...Please.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 4th, 2022
Something happened
yesterday that, had it been under serious conditions and for real,
would have been frightening. But because it was just a “drill” it
was more of a comedy farce.
They ran a suicide
drill even though there were only two guards that could perform
it...Generally, fully staffed, about ten guards would pass into the
section, to the cell where the 'suicide' is happening, and do their
drill. They bring in medical equipment, a bag that has cutting tools
in case it's a 'hanging', as well as a nurse on standby. They pick a
random cell, often an unsuspecting inmate – it once happened to me
while I was having a bit of 'private time' with myself, and scared
the bejeezus out of me, and it was quite embarrassing!
So, the gate to our
section pops open and the two guards go to the cell and say,
“Are you killing
yourself? Are you okay? Do you need help?”
No bag, no
equipment...A nurse in her 70s(!) wanders in a few minutes behind to
offer help if it's needed....
As I'm watching,
jokingly, I said,
“You know, I don't
want to be the one to say this, but if this was a real
incident....you'd have probably been better off bringing a body bag.
I'm just saying!”
Some guys around me
laughed...Gallows humor!
Yeah, but quite scary
to think they wouldn't have been able to do anything if it had been
the real thing. It reminded me of a fire drill I watched years ago.
The guards poured into the section, locked themselves in the day
room, and got a water hose to put out an 'electrical' fire...It was
like watching one of those 1920s Charlie Chaplain movies. I could
hear the silly piano music playing in my head as I watched. I even
said,
“Yeah, y'all will
hear about it in the news tomorrow. 14 inmates on death row die in a
fire...We are so screwed.”
I'd be crying every day
if I couldn't laugh about this stuff.
Today's staff shortage
was probably the worst it's ever been. They had one floor officer for
three pods. If someone has any serious medical issue they're not
going to be able to get help. We're not living in a safe environment.
We've not had showers in five days now. It's crazy, and the state
doesn't appear to be trying to address it. For all of the talk about
addressing issues from Greg Abbott, he seems to be ignoring the
crisis going on in county jails as well as within Texas prisons, and
yet, in a crisis of a lack of correctional officers, you hear a lot
about being tougher on crime and locking up more people...Okay,
that's fine, but who is going to watch over these people you're
packing into jails and prisons? Who is going to keep these inmates
from hurting each other or the correctional officers? All you hear
from these politicians is 'Tough On Crime!” But they never look at
the problems their blanket solution of locking everyone up creates.
They never come to the table with ideas on how to keep people out of
jails. Investing in schools, teachers, arts programs, after school
programs, offering kids and teens in high risk/high poverty areas
alternatives to keep them from joining gangs. When people do offer
fresh new ideas they're labelled as being soft on crime, or bleeding
heart liberals.
The United States has
the highest amount of citizens incarcerated IN THE WORLD. Think about
that! We have some of the highest rates of gun violence, domestic
violence, mass shootings...Some of the highest rates of mental health
crisis...All of the wealth and military might in the world doesn't
protect us from within. We're rotting from the inside out. It's not
Al Qaeda or ISIS that's destroying us. We're doing it to ourselves.
When does it stop? When do we stop allowing politicians to weaponize
our education system, our health system, our workers, and the people
who want to come to our country to work?
Sigh...I just feel that
we can do so much better. I think we've lost (and I'm guilty of this
as well) sight of the golden rule 'Love Thy Neighbor'. It doesn't
mean we should expect a Utopia, but we can all do better.
I've been trying,
myself, to begin each day with a grateful heart, because even in this
sucky situation that I can only blame myself for being in, I do have
much to be grateful for.
Now, as I write this
it's later in the day and I had a good legal phone call. Nothing to
really report, but it was nice to talk. The only issue I had was it
took forever to get back to my call – two hours – and I really
needed to use the bathroom.
When I got back to my
cell the guys around me had pitched in to make enchiladas which
surprised me, but they were really good! The guy that made the cheese
sauce, nailed it!
It's time to wrap this
up for the day and unwind.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
February 5th, 2022
A cold Saturday morning and day 6 without a proper shower. I'm not even sure how that's legal at this point, but they're doing it. I guess what boggles my mind is how little about the staff shortages you hear on the local and state news. It's like it's purposely being silenced. Very weird. I wish someone would contact a Houston news outlet – there's an investigative reporter and show called 'The Isiah Factor' on Houston's Fox 26. I think he'd be the perfect person to contact, but maybe he's part of the deliberate silencing too.
Anyways, I'm doing the best I can to deal with things and thank G-d we have running water in our cells!
I woke up a little after 5am to listen to a 'Flock of Seagulls' album on The Tank. As good as they are, I'm surprised they never had a super successful career. There's not a dud of a song on their albums in the 1980s and yet they are only ever really recognised for 'And I Run'.
After that I listened to a band I'd never heard of before, 'Porcupine Tree', and I was really impressed. A bit of 'Tool', a bit of 'Chevelle' and smart songwriting all rolled up into one. I really liked it.
Today is movie day and so I'll relax and listen...I have the movie 'La Bamba' playing right now. It's the story of the rock 'n' roll legend Ritchie Valens who died along with Buddy Holly in the late '50s, tragically, in an airplane crash. If Ritchie Valens doesn't ring a bell think of the song 'La Bamba' – classic oldie! I have a head full of the oldies because that's pretty much what I grew up on, and my dad played them 24/7.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 6th, 2022
I was listening to
'Avatar' yesterday and while it's a cool – very cool – movie, I
couldn't help but think about when the movie first came out, and
people on the far right, certain politicians and Fox News, were
equating the movie to indoctrination and I thought, “Since when has
the truth become indoctrination?” Whether it be about settlers
coming to North America, treatment of indigenous people, slavery,
destruction of the environment for malls, parking lots and
resources...Why are some people so afraid of history and the truth?
I also have a problem
with people who say, “I'm just living my truth...” Now, there's
only one truth. If you mean you're being true to yourself and how you
identify with the world that's one thing, but if you mean there are
different 'truths' or two sides to a story, well you're not really
talking about truth, you're talking about perspective. There's a
difference.
Anyway, I'm wondering
what message 'Avatar 2' will have whenever it comes out.
Another thought I've
had is on Civil Service. It doesn't matter what office or what
service...I've been wondering when this idea of getting into civil
service deserves some kind of respect or accolades, or that you must
have the support of the community. Moral support is great and it does
push you – or should push you to be better, but you volunteer
because it's supposed to be a selfless act. Whether it be the
military or politics. You put your head down and DO THE WORK. If a
person volunteers or works in a homeless shelter, and there are
people trying to obstruct that work by passing city ordinances that
keep people from helping the homeless...Do these people start whining
about the lack of respect? Do they give up on helping the homeless?
No, they put their heads down and do the work. Just do your job and
serve the people. If you do it right, the support and accolades will
come. It's called Civil Service for a reason.
Yeah, I'm full of
thoughts of late!
We're on day 7 without
a shower and our section still hasn't had it's 'movie', either. The
movie isn't a big deal, but man...7 days without a shower is a bit
ridiculous.
I'll wrap this up for
the day. Everyone please be safe and take care out there!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
February 8th, 2022
I jumped out of bed at about 5.40am and started the day with my workout. I didn't expect to get a shower and was prepared to have a bird bath in my sink, when a little after 6.40am a lieutenant showed up and began to help pull people out for showers. That worked for me. I'll take a shower over a rinse from the sink any day.
The day itself has been quiet and peaceful. I looked out of my window a few times and it looks lovely. The sky, blue with some big fluffy clouds. They actually look like big yummy marshmallows.
I've been kind of reflecting on what life might be like when – having hope that the CCA rule in my favour! - I have a resolution on this big giant mess. I've written before about a life sentence and how, if having no other choice I could accept it, and live life to the fullest by being of service to others. I've wondered how long I'd be in isolation because of the escape, and many people have told me I'd never have a chance to get into general population. But yesterday gave me even more hope! There were two guys in segregation who had escaped several times during the '90s. They were housed on another pod (12 Building, Polunsky Unit, is considered the most secure building in ALL of Texas' prisons, so other 'escape risks' are housed here) and yesterday, after years – decades – of isolation, were being given their 2nd chance and were released back into general population. I thought, “wow...it is actually possible.” I might truly be able to get into the peer mentor/counselling program! Anything is possible.
I can't describe how much hope that injected into my spirit. I've been thinking about it a lot since yesterday afternoon.
It's hard to explain the peace that has settled onto me in these past weeks...I don't feel the anxiety I once had...I don't feel stressed...I find myself so emotional at times – in a very good and positive way – I truly feel better and happier than I have in a long time. I wish I could share the feeling with others so they could feel it too!
Courage. Strength, Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 12th, 2022
It's a peaceful Saturday afternoon as I write this. Looking out of my window, the sky is charcoal grey and there's a chill in the air. The complete opposite of yesterday's weather which felt like a spring day. I had a legal visit in the afternoon, yesterday, and I was outside briefly...just those few precious minutes going to the visitation building was a boost to my spirit. I took in deep breaths of air –fresh air – and smiled to myself.
When I walked into the visitation building it was full of general population inmates and families having visits. Death row's visits are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday nights, so it was a bit of a shock to see faces I've never seen before, families hugging their loved ones, a couple kissing as they began their visit, kids sitting in the laps of their fathers...
I watched as I waited for my investigator to join me in the legal booth and my heart panged with a longing and desire to have visits like that one day...I pray that I will.
It was a great visit. Still no news from the CCA but I'm not worried about it. I have hope and faith whether it's next week or next summer.
When I got back to my cell I put on The Tank radio station. They had a woman on the show – the person supervising the peer support counselling program. It's a program that works in tandem with the Field Minister program. Whereas the Field Minister program is more Christian oriented (though, you aren't excluded if you're of another faith, but the curriculum is rooted in the Judeo/Christian practice, and the goal isn't to convert you to Christianity) the peer support counselling is not rooted in religion, but the goal and mission statement is the same: To allow prisoners help other prisoners. Another great thing is that having an alternative to the Field Ministers – giving inmates that don't want to speak to someone coming from a religious training, or fear that they'll be preached to – another avenue to feel comfortable enough to reach out for help they might need, or just to have someone to talk to.
They're trained in suicide prevention/awareness, drug counselling, and being listeners. The idea being that you are much more willing to (as an inmate) talk to someone who has been in your shoes. This and the Field Minister program is experimental and ground breaking, but I see with my own eyes that it's making a difference. Another benefit is that they have the ear of the administration and can act as advocates for us – especially those in solitary confinement, because they can tell the warden what we need, what needs to be addressed, and how to solve what typically can be an easy fix. Often what happens is officers can only see an issue and solution through their world view. If you have the opinion that all inmates are pieces of garbage, deserve no sympathy and are apathetic or even intentionally dismissive towards them...99% of all problems within the institution, come as a result of this. Instead of de-escalating an issue, it escalates and leads to more problems, even violence.
Having inmates in a position to identify a problem, do what they can to help in resolving that issue, leads to a more positive environment. It's better spiritually and mentally. It's safer for everyone.
In my second chance, G-d willing, I will be a part of one of these programs. I really believe it's my calling and I feel I'm in a unique position because I've been through life experiences, exposed to every facet of life. I was an abused child, I was adopted, and had a lot of material riches, and yet suffered with the trauma of abuse and abandonment issues. I made horrible choices as a teen, was abandoned again, did drugs, lost all support from family and friends. I was homeless, and on drugs, and the cycle of abuse reared its horrible head and in a brief moment I became an abuser. I landed in prison as a teen, alone, and scared...I lost all hope and it lead to the horrible decision of escaping as some naïve and foolish fix to my problems...I'm then sentenced to death, even when all evidence and statements from my co-defendants show that I'm not a killer...I've spent almost two decades on death row. It's a heck of a story and that experience will hopefully be enough to convince someone struggling with issues of hopelessness, helplessness in prison, or the struggle of breaking destructive cycles and behaviour. I can say “Dude, I've seen I all, done it all. It can get better. You can do better. I've got your back!”
If someone had done that for me when I was 23 years old, I'd never have escaped. Instead, I was lead the other way and manipulated into believing that it wouldn't get better.
I really want to be a part of these programs. Even if I was free, I'd be doing something similar. I'd love to take a page out of the ex-inmate, Adam West's book. He was a meth addict that had everything in life a person could ever hope for. He was even once involved in politics in DC. But his drug addition grew so bad that he began to steal and even once breaking into a police car impound to destroy evidence! He was eventually caught and given 60 years, but in a twist of fate, he miraculously made his first parole after years of bettering himself. He's now dedicated his life to trying to help people before they come to prison, as well as giving back into prisons, and in speaking to prisoners and offering hope. The dude is still on parole! He could've said,
“Screw this place. I'm fine...”
My Taffy always tells me that because I can be patient, a good listener, and I'm good at calming people down, she can see how effective that would be. That's sweet of her to say, and she has so much faith and belief in me. I'm beyond lucky to have her support and encouragement. Deep down inside it's what I feel I'm being called to do, and I know, if given that chance, I will.
The Field Ministers just rolled the TV and movie into B-section. I can hear 'Avatar' blasting! We should be able to watch it next weekend, I hope. Very exciting!
I'll close today by saying how excited I am to have another collection of poetry published and available on Amazon and Kindle. I received my copy last night and I literally did a happy dance! The cover – designed by my girlfriend, Taffy – is gorgeous!! It's laid out beautifully...Trust me (if I can give my own book a plug here), having this is far, far better than just reading the poems on a website. Nothing beats having a physical copy yourself, or to give as a gift. 'Nothing Beats As Loud As My Heart' would make a perfect gift, and I would appreciate the support!
The physical publication of my memoir, 'Falling Down' is hot on its heels...We're doing the final edit as I write this, and working out the formatting issues, and it'll be available soon. All proceeds from the memoir will go to charity.
It's an exciting time for me and I'm looking forward to being a force for good in the world.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace
February 13th, 2022
7.14am...Sunday
morning...I've been up since 4am. My eyes shot open and so I grabbed
my headphones, turned on The Tank, and listened to some great songs
for the next hour. I'll never pass up an opportunity for great music,
even if I really want to sleep.
It reminds me of when I
was in general population back in 1998-2000 on the Connally Unit. The
Unit was about 45 minutes away from San Antonio, and San Antonio's
radio stations were so-so at the time. They had a rock station, but
they didn't have a college rock or alternative station. Late at
night, however, the Austin radio stations would fade in and Austin,
being the live music capital of the world and all, was music
heaven...Indie music, college rock, alternative...I'd listen until
breakfast, which came at 3am, get back to my cell, and sleep for a
couple of hours until 6am when I had to get up for work. When you're
in your early 20s you can pull that off, but in your 40s it feels
like being hit by a truck! Still, great music is always worth it.
I'm flipping through a
copy of Entertainment Weekly that a friend passed to me earlier, and
I saw a little dig at 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'. I don't get
why people attack that movie (or any other of the Star Wars movies
made outside of the original trilogy for that matter).
I'll admit, when I
first watched The Phantom Menace I had a shock factor, like, WTF? I
didn't know what to think. Like everyone else, I initially couldn't
stand Jar-Jar Binks...I think going into the movie I expected the
same formats as the original trilogy, which was a mistake, and the
mistake of many because George Lucas had no intention of rehashing
the original trilogy. Instead, while wanting to show how a sweet kid
could turn to the dark side, he also wanted to show how through
political machinations, lies, manipulation and fear, they could be
used (in the right hands) as weapons to weaken and ruin even the
strongest of democracies. Keep in mind, this was before the terror
attacks of 9-11, Bush, and going further, Trump. The movies would
brilliantly put the pieces in place like a chess game as Palpatine
(AKA Darth Sidious) made his moves to destroy the Jedi Order, turn
Anakin, and seize control over the galaxy by promising to 'restore
order, justice and peace' – a galaxy that he destroyed. (Sound
familiar? The age old promise of countless dictators). Anakin's
innocence and capacity for love was ultimately his undoing because of
his fear of losing those he loved. I can so relate to that as many of
my own mistakes are due to the fear of losing my love, being
abandoned, or dying alone.
The
prequels were a cautionary tale...But I get it. People wanted the
original Star Wars....That fast paced excitement, wonder and hope –
the faith that if we love each other, and believe in the power of
friendship, it's enough to overcome evil. These movies will always be
my first love and the new trilogy tried to restore those themes. But
the prequels...I've fallen in love with them. Even Jar Jar Binks –
he was the heart of the first prequel. Annoying? Sure, but had it not
been for Qui Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi rescuing him, they wouldn't
have unified the Gungans and the Naboo people. They wouldn't have had
to go to Tatooine...(Oh geeze, I also just had the realisation that
had they not saved Jar Jar, there might not have been a Darth Vadar!
Oops!)
Here's an experiment
for true Star Wars fans. Even those that don't like the
prequels...Put a day to the side and instead of watching the movies
and being distracted by the visual effects etc, just listen to the
movies. It'll free your brain to focus more on the story and how
brilliantly the stories are constructed. I promise, it'll change your
entire perspective/opinion on those movies. I know it did mine! And
as a bonus, by just listening to those countless times, it allowed me
to learn new character voices as an impersonator. I have a large
repertoire for it!
I've always been able
to do a pretty good Yoda, but now I can do Jar Jar Binks, the leader
of the Gungans, the leader of the Trade Federation (for some reason
dude sounds Japanese...) and General Grievous. But nothing beats my
Palpatine/Darth Sidious (both his softer voice and his harsh evil
voice). I don't think any of the newer movies had any standout
character voices, but for anyone asking, Rogue One and the Last Jedi
are my favourites of the newer ones.
Geeze...I think I just
showed what a true geek I am! Whatever...I embrace it wholeheartedly.
Taffy has a pair of Yoda slippers and a set of Star Wars Pajamas
waiting on me if I'm ever free! Ha ha...I joked with her that if
people were visiting us I'd look like a 5 year old! I was oddly okay
with that...Don't judge me!
Today is Super Bowl
day, so once the game gets going I know it's going to get rowdy here.
I don't know if I'll catch it this year...It depends what the movie
is for the night...I'm a bit turned off by the idea that a 30 second
Super Bowl commercial is costing 7 million dollars a spot! 30 seconds
for 7 million dollars! So you realise how many people suffering
hunger that could feed? How many low income students it could put
through college? 7 million dollars to get you to buy....Beer. I think
it highlights just how warped our priorities are. Look, I'm not some
Marxist socialist. Capitalism in and of itself is not a necessarily
evil thing...When regulated right, it can be great for society...and
I don't mean by taking all of your taxes to feed bureaucracy. I mean
making things a bit more fair and beneficial to all citizens. Invest
in education, and free college vocational programs. Build and fix our
infrastructure, money for mental health programs and drug treatment
programs, invest in sciences and the arts...Higher wages, living
wages, and universal health care...Don't buy the messaging by
politicians that we can't afford it. There's never any problems or
resistance in spending trillions on the military – much of which is
wasted.
We give tax breaks to
companies that are pulling in record profits each year – even
during a pandemic and supply chain shortages. Meanwhile, many are
wondering where their next meal is going to come from, even as they
work two jobs.
When did we become so
selfish? Where did 'love thy neighbor' go? You don't have to be a
Marxist socialist to just want a better life for everyone. I'm often
amazed at how often we cut off our nose to spite our face, or we vote
against our interests because a politician plays to our baser
instincts and fears, with idiotic issues. You'll vote for politicians
as you wonder if you'll have a job next week or be able to pay rent,
while they're wearing tailored suits, driving $100,000 cars, and
playing the markets while they protect corporations for their own
political power...But hey, if they can convince you that elementary
schools are trying to make your children transgendered, or teach
critical race theory, and tear your fellow citizen up...they win all
the way to the bank.
Pull your blinders off
people! Tell me I'm crazy, that it's not that easy to manipulate
you...To take control of you...get you to fear the boogie man so
easily...
And since I'm on my
soap box right now (hey, look, I blame the triple shot cup of coffee
I had to get me going! Ha ha) I'll talk about these trucker protests
that happened in Canada, and now across the world all because they're
wanting an end to vaccine mandates...
First, let's just get
this out right at the beginning...There have always been vaccination
mandates...Your child cannot go to school if they don't have their
shots. Why? So your child doesn't end up dying of measles, small
pox, whooping cough, polio etc. All viruses we have either eradicated
or limited, but in a sad twist of fate are beginning to return
because of conspiracy theories of vaccines causing autism etc...None
of it is scientifically true. Also, the government tells you what to
do for your health and life all of the time! Anti-smoking
advertisements, seat belt laws, child safety laws, helmets...Who
complains to a restaurant because they have dress codes? There's a
reason why when you're sitting in a Subway shop no one walks in with
their giblets hanging out, or some dude with nasty black bare feet
can't come waltzing in.
I won't even (okay I
will) point out the hypocrisy in declaring “my body, my health, my
choice!” by politicians, fundamentalists and others who actively
try to restrict women of this very thing! Huh!
But back to the
truckers...So, being forced to have a vaccine against their will is
harnessing their ability to earn a living because if they refuse they
will either lose their jobs or won't be able to cross the borders to
do their job. Yet, they'll block roads and the border crossings
preventing others from doing their jobs, or running their businesses
and making a living, risking their financial stability and security
by holding them hostage. Never mind the fact that most citizens don't
have a problem with the mandates if it means a return to whatever is
normalcy these days.
Don't compare this to
the civil rights marches. For shame if you do, because the civil
rights marches, whether it be the suffrage movement or civil
liberties for Black people, was about the fundamental constitutional
right to be treated equally. To be treated as a citizen and have
those rights guaranteed as a citizen and human being.
This scenario is apples
and oranges...It's about sacrifices made for the greater good. Has
the CDC or the federal government been perfect in trying to contain
the pandemic? No, but what we've learned about this virus is that
it's constantly evolving. The poor response by the Trump
administration early on, and making it a weapon for political power,
could have prevented a lot of this. Unfortunately, for the Biden
administration, they're having to constantly play catch up. The fact
remains that science gave us a tool and new technology to mitigate
the loss of life. No vaccine is 100% effective, but both Pfizer and
Moderna have shown that while you may be able to still contract or
spread the virus, it reduces the chances by up to 97% of landing in
the hospital or dying. I believe I've had the first wave of Corona
last year, which kicked my butt...Body aches, chills, fever, loss of
taste for two weeks...just awful. Then, in Dallas I'm pretty sure I
had the Delta variant, but I was already vaccinated. I didn't feel
sick, but I lost my voice for several days and had a month long cough
that I eventually recovered from. I gave the vaccine credit for this.
A month ago I had my booster shot, caught what I believed was
Omicron, as it was passing through, and in 2 ½ days I was fine. I
felt a little tired, congested, and had a frog voice, but no other
symptoms.
The point is I believe
the science and from being sick three times in the space of a year (I
usually only get sick once a year) I'm perfectly fine because of the
vaccine.
Just as a mask is there
to protect you from getting the virus from me, the vaccine is to
protect me from dying from the virus. It's that simple.
Should the government
mandate the vaccine? I personally believe so because the purpose is
to get things back to a normal functioning society, and for your
uber-capitalists, get business back to normal. If people are dropping
like flies, you can't really do that. So, you think it fair that a
business or restaurant hire you, knowing you carry a risk to the
business by not being vaccinated? I believe businesses should provide
health insurance, but should they be forced to swallow the cost of a
rising premium because you don't want to take care of yourself?
Should a person waiting on cancer treatment or check ups have to put
their health on hold because you're clogging up the hospitals?
If you want to make the
argument that these pharmaceutical companies want to push the vaccine
because they're getting billions in revenue, I'll meet you half way
and say yes, they make way too much effing money. That, however, is
an issue that we the people have to force congress to address.
But if your argument is
'freedom' or some ridiculous conspiracy theory that's going to turn
you into 'pig man' (shout out Seinfeld episode!) well you're just
flat out wrong. No one is keeping you from your freedom, but you. No
one is taking your job. There has to be a point where, as a people,
the interest is the whole.
When did selfishness
become an acceptable behaviour? I mean, I remember at school when a
kid would bring candy, and all of us would look at him or her,
salivating for a bit of a sugar rush ourselves...The teacher would
say, “No candy unless you brought some for everyone.” The point
being that the kid was in a class with other students who were
without.
I know, not comparable
to a vaccine, but the fact remains we're doing a horrible job of
looking out for one another. I don't know what happened. You don't
want to get a vaccine? That is your opinion, your life, but don't be
a hypocrite about it. I pray you don't end up in the hospital or die.
I really do!
Whew! That's been
inside of me for quite a while! (ha ha). Feels great to get it out.
Anyways, on with the
day I suppose. I'm listening to 'Cider House Rules' right now and
taking it easy...I didn't mean to get all 'preachy'. I know people
are fired up on both sides and maybe that's part of the problems. I
truly am a person that believes in dialogue and hearing 'the other
side' but I also can't be silent when I see things being twisted and
turned, the ignoring of facts, and the illogical behavior and
hypocrisy of it all. I'm well aware that it also exists within those
on the left as well. One example is cancel culture, which I'm firmly
opposed to. From the perspective of a prisoner and my desire to be
forgiven, to learn, and to grow and be given another chance, I
believe all deserve a shot at redemption if they ask for it and show
sincerity. We humans are kind of predisposed to stupidity, but we can
learn. It makes no sense to ruin a person's life because they said
something foolish, or for having a differing opinion that lies beyond
what most of society thinks on an issue. And it definitely makes no
sense to punish someone now for something they wrote or said 30 years
to. When for the most part – right or wrong – it was culturally
acceptable. If John Hughes was still alive, by those standards, he'd
never be able to make a movie today! In 'Sixteen Candles' one of the
characters gives permission to another to rape her just because she's
passed out and drunk. In other movies they're littered with
homophobic slurs...We've probably all said or done something stupid
in our lives, just give a person a chance to atone and learn. If they
can't or they refuse, well, then run 'em out on a rail, but
geeze...what happened to second chances? Even my trial judge, I've
already forgiven him. I hope he's learned from all of this as I've
tried to learn from my mistakes.
Alright, alright...no
more thoughts for the day. I guess I've been keeping a lot bottled
up!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
February 14th, 2022
Valentine's Day...I was
sitting here thinking about the great Cure love songs today, and I
thought I'd compose a list of them...Not the heartbreak ones, but the
ones that express the emotion and elation of being in love. As I've
shared them with Taffy, my Valentine, over the years, I hope you'll
share them with yours. Who cares if it's a made up holiday to sell
chocolates and cards? Personally, I was always a fan of those little
candy hearts with the sentiment stamped on them!
ALL of these songs are
by The Cure...
Love Song
Friday I'm In Love
Mint Car
Underneath The Stars
Halo
Six Different Ways
Why Can't I Be You
If Only Tonight
One More Time
Breathe
There Is No If
Just Like Heaven
The Perfect
Girlfriend
Enjoy!
I was asked an
interesting question today. Someone called me to the door and asked,
“Hey Randy...do you
feel like you've paid your debt to society?”
I guess we could all
easily answer, “Yes.” But I mean, how do you measure that debt?
We're on death row to be executed, put down like dogs...On the
surface I guess for a court, that's the debt, but is that what
society demands?
Say you're one of those
people that are really innocent – and I believe there are a few –
or those that were sent here under an arbitrary and capricious
statute – the law of parties – that makes you an equal partner in
a crime even if you didn't really do anything to participate in a
murder...What's the 'debt' to be paid there?
I will always have
regrets and remorse for the hurt I've caused. For lives that were
affected, and I carry that with me each and every day, and I ask for
forgiveness every day in my prayers. I carry it in my heart and even
if some don't believe me or forgive me, I know my own heart and G-d
knows my heart. All I can do is my very best to live a life of
purpose and service. I'm FAR from perfect...I stumble...I make
mistakes...But even in those moments I also do my best to pick myself
back up and push forward in bettering myself.
People who know me know
that when I'm wrong on something, I acknowledge it, atone for it, and
try to learn.
Still, it's hard for me
to say for myself whether I've paid my debt or not. Is it even a
question for me to answer? I guess I'd just like to know what the
measurement is judged by. I think we'd all like to be judged by the
amount of good things we've done, not by the bad, but for some reason
the bad is always heavier on that scale. It's a weird standard for
society to judge by, don't you think?
I asked the guy why he
had been thinking about that question, and he said,
“Two DJs of Houston's
Pop FM station, are particularly hateful when it comes to prisoners
and one of them said she wished she was on the parole board to ensure
no prisoner was ever released. I got to thinking about what it meant
to pay our debt to society”
Anyways, his question
made me think!
The Field Minister
stopped by and told me he was going to try to get us our movie this
week. They jumped over to A-Pod and were working their way through
the sections showing 'Avatar'. By his report, guys were blown away –
some in tears from being overwhelmed. I'm excited to see it.
Well, Happy Valentine's
y'all, and may everyone be lucky enough to have someone to love and
be loved by, as I do!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
February 16th, 2022
Surprisingly, as I write this, they're doing recreation. I had already started to exercise as they were setting up rec. The guards are not happy about it and they have an attitude because, after 2 months, they've actually got to do some work...but I'm just happy to be able to get out of the cell.
I wanted to thank those who showed an interest in my latest poetry collection. It's a very special project between me and my sweetheart, Taffy. It was amazing that we pulled it off before Valentine's Day!
It's a really gorgeous book, and I'm very proud of it. But something I have to say that's disappointed me is that it became labelled as #PrisonPoetry on social media – it's NOT prison poetry, it's MY poetry, and I feel very strongly about that. Strictly speaking I don't really view it as poetry at all because I tend to write those pieces as 'lyrics'. I hear a melody or a beat and I write it out like a song. They're actually just lyrics. All that being said, I'm not tethered to prison when I write anything. In my heart and mind...writing is an expression of FREEDOM. The label #PrisonPoetry or any kind of art is pejorative. Like, “Wow! Look at what a prisoner did. Who knew they could be talented?”
Art is art...You don't do a painting at home or write something and say, “Hey, check out my #HousePoetry...” It should be no different for art from a prison that also happens to be a prisoner who created it. I would hope that anything I create, or any of us create back here, stands on its own as art in its own right, and as my latest poetry collection is intended to do – and not because I'm in prison. If you buy it for that reason, you lost sight of the intent...Anyways, that's all I wanted to say on that.
Well, it's Wednesday and I'm on pins and needles as I wait on the news and any potential CCA rulings that come down today. I'm trying to keep focus and positivity, and praying, and who knows? Today could be the day.
Just made it to recreation. It was nice to get out of the cell and move around a bit. Apparently, they're going to try to get us out at least one day a week. Well...one day is better than no days at all. After rec was finished I made it straight to the shower which was a blessing.
I've not heard anything on the news today about any CCA ruling, so I suppose I'm still waiting. I refuse to get all worked up about it. I'm cool as a cucumber. I believe it's going to work out the right way.
I was showing off my newly published poetry book to a few guys while I was outside at rec, and they were awestruck! Everyone commented on how beautiful it looks, and I got a bunch of compliments which made me smile so big...But really, I'm so proud of my Taffy because none of it could have been done without her. She designed the cover, compiled all of the content, and put it all together. It's just as much hers as it is mine, and I definitely see it as 'our project' as we'd been discussing it for a while. Wait until you see a physical copy of my memoir – it's going to look amazing, and we've both put a lot of work into it to get it just right. I'm just really happy to realise some of our projects together, and I am one heck of a lucky dude to have her help in everything...I really am...I love you, Taffy!
As they did rec today, I'm guessing we'll get our movie some time in the next couple of days. A rumor going around is that Polunsky Unit will have its tablet system up and running some time in March. Whilst I'm excited about the 'perks' (movies, music etc.) I'm most excited about talking on the phone to the people I care about and love, in real time. That's going to be the best thing about it all.
Anyways, that's been the day in a nutshell!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 19th, 2022
I think the guys around me think I've lost my mind...I was sitting on my bed when I suddenly had a 'vision' of sorts...I'd been thinking of all the changes that are slowly happening and getting excited about watching 'Avatar' (which still hasn't happened for our section...it's supposed to be either today or tomorrow...hopefully!) when suddenly out of nowhere I thought to myself, “wouldn't it be cool if we could have one of those big carnival style popcorn machines donated, and we could have a bowl of popcorn as we watched the movie? Both inmates and officers would enjoy it!” I hopped up and went to the door to propose my idea and my neighbor said,
“Really, Randy? A popcorn machine?”
I said,
“Why not? I mean, if it was donated to the Field Minister program...it would benefit everyone and be a morale booster. Would you like a bowl of freshly popped popcorn to go with a movie? Wouldn't an officer like to have some? We gotta start dreaming big around here. Clinton would be proud of me!”
I added the last part because my friend, Clinton Young, would often have these extravagant and ridiculous ideas and I'd say,
“Man...you need to stay grounded.”
It really pissed him off! Well, he's made a believer out of me, and why not? He's free after 20 years.... Why, then, can I not dream big? I told the guys around me,
“Well, when that badass popcorn machine comes rolling in with the TVs, you can tell the guards to just give me your popcorn.”
There's no better time than now to push for grand ideas and for those that think inmates shouldn't be pampered – many states already do this. In fact, when I was awaiting extradition in Colarado back in 2001, the jail used to hand out a fresh paper sack of popcorn every Friday night...The jail had a 'movie night' to keep the inmates pacified. We didn't get the movie, but we got the popcorn, which was was nice. Come on! Let's make it happen!
It's a calm and beautiful Saturday. I talked to the Field Minsters yesterday, and these guys...man, they blow me away. They're just inmates and yet their dedication and advocacy for us in solitary/death row, goes above and beyond. I had an extra copy of my poetry book, 'Nothing Beats As Loud As My Heart', and gave it to the Field Minister 'Troop' as a thank you. He smiled real big and asked,
“Can I read some of this the radio?”
And I said,
“Yeah, sure!”
I told him,
“You see how gorgeous that book is? My Taffy designed it.”
He looked at me and said,
“Taffy? Who's that?”
“It's my nickname for my girlfriend.”
He said the book looked beautiful, and that made me so proud.
But, yeah, they really do a lot for us and I know most of us appreciate it. They don't preach or try to convert, they work by 'faith in action' which is an aspect of any religion that I really admire. It's what I personally believe that any of our belief systems require. You can preach all day, or worry about a person's soul or whatever...But how does that make life better in the now? In the present? Better for all of us? In Judaism, the belief is that the Messiah can't come until we do our part to make the planet better, by our deeds. It's a straightforward concept...'Love Thy Neighbor'.
Anyway, we asked about 'Avatar' and it's supposed to come today or tomorrow. I'll write a report on it once I've seen it.
My Taffy shared Clinton Young's post with me about how he went from reading the 'Walking Dead' graphic novels to watching the series on TV, and how I had been the one to get him into that...He was hooked! We had both developed an insanely (and probably unhealthy ha ha) obsession with comics after that. It got so bad at one point that we were trying to figure out ways to get the 'censored' ones to us. Someone heard us talking and said,
“Wait...when everyone else is trying to get ILLEGAL things, you guys are trying to get comics?!? What is wrong with y'all?”
It's hilarious to think about it in context...Yep, the comic book geeks...At that time, it was a nice mental escape. A lot of it was the visual stimulation that these comics provided for us,and the conversations which stimulated us intellectually. A lot of what the publishing company IMAGE does is inject social commentary into their story lines. So, he and I would talk about (he from his conservative perspective, me from my liberal perspective) what the series was trying to get across. I'm really touched that he remembers those moments and is now able to watch a TV show based on what we once shared together.
Maybe, once I'm off death row I'll share some of the funnier moments we've had over the years!
Here's a political thought for the day...have you ever wondered why a lot of the Republican political ads are focused on being tougher on crime? Because they've got nothing else! Which says to me that a lot of what the Biden administration is doing, whether it be for the economy (there's no easy fix for inflation until supply chains are back up, which is a global problem and not a unique US problem) or COVID...is working. When a political party has to resort to scaring you or use wedge issues, it means that they have NOTHING...Unfortunately, it's human nature to be scared...What a bunch of snowflakes, huh? And it's too easy to manipulate people through fear. Republicans in power know this...Just sayin'!
It's later now and we just watched 'Avatar'...I'm going to try to put into words what the experience was...again, like the other movies, it took a bit for my brain to 'adjust' to what I was watching. When the spaceship lands on Pandora, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Seeing the 'mechs', the computer graphics, and technology...then to see the actual transfer to the avatar Na'vi being...unbelievable! I was processing images, colors, CGI graphics, and special effects I've never seen before. The movie itself (while I've listened to it and know the plot) was amazing. The Na'vi – and the motion capture technology they used to bring them to life – were unbelievably real. The facial expressions were totally convincing, and there was no 'uncanny valley' (a technical term that describes how most computer generated human-like images aren't convincing, or we, as humans don't connect with it).
There were several scenes where I was actually moved to tears. My neighbor heard me sniffling and said,
“Are you sniffling?”
What can I say, I was moved!
It was a really awesome movie and I feel lucky to have finally been able to watch it! I'm still processing it...in awe. I can't explain or articulate what it's like to go 21 years without seeing a movie like 'Avatar'. I feel like I've been blind and have seen for the first time in my life. It's a mind screw.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 20th, 2022
I woke up with 'Avatar' still on the brain...I was talking to the guys around me and we all agreed that if it was available for rental on the tablet, we would be watching it again.
We had showers today which came as a surprise. The Sergeant doing them was a bit of a jerk. When someone said,
“Why can't we get recreation?”
A legitimate question by all means...The Sergeant said,
“Stop bitching like a little baby!”
I couldn't bite my tongue, so I said,
“Why is he 'bitching' when it's something we are supposed to get? Rec isn't a privilege – we're allowed time outside of our cells.”
The Sergeant looked at me and curled his lip up in a primitive gesture to show his fangs, and walked away. I joked to the other guys that apparently he thinks he's an ape.
“Ooooh, bared teeth. Scary! If I was a chimpanzee...”
It got some laughs.
Otherwise it's been a peaceful day of just getting my work done!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 21st, 2022
Presidents Day...A very warm and humid day. I woke up at 5.50am and hit the ground running! I worked out to David Bowie's 'Greatest Hits' on The Tank, and bathed out of my sink because there's no showers today.
It's been a pretty boring day to be honest. I've been laying under a fan, listening to movies all day on The Tank. They've played 'The Boiler Room' which was really good. And 'Rise of the Planet of Apes' which I really liked and would love to actually see at some point. 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'New Jack City'. Last night I listened to a really good movie, 'Don't Look Up' which I recommend. When 'Matrix Resurrections' came on I got excited. I'm sure the movie was probably cool, visually, but I was disappointed by the plot. Quite frankly, the movie sucked and had none of the intrigue and existentialism that the original trilogy had. It didn't make me think. It was corny at times and the acting...everyone seemed phony. Will I still watch it? Probably, but what a let down.
My neighbor did some cooking today and it came out pretty good. It made up for the slop they gave us at lunch and dinner. Dinner looked so horrible that everyone but one person on my section turned down their trays. It feels awful to waste so much food, but if they made it edible, or half way decent, they wouldn't have to waste so much of it.
I think we should have rec on Wednesday or Thursday. I'm looking forward to that.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
February 24th, 2022
It's a grey wet and
cold Thursday. Trapped in the cell and little to do to pass the time
but listen to news about Russia invading Ukraine...Just horrible
stuff and I can't believe in 2022 that this crap still goes on.
Worse, I can't believe we, as citizens of the world who are mostly
peaceful people, allow a handful of leaders in the world to decide
who are our enemies and who aren't...Think about that – a few men
decide who you're supposed to hate. That's insanity! Yet, we allow it
time and time again. When does the world say enough is enough?
There's enough resources and wealth on this planet to benefit every
single human being – I don't mean some fairy tale unrealistic
utopia of rainbows and unicorns, but just saying,
“Hey, we don't have
to kill each other for this crap – we can share and everyone can
benefit.”
Well...let's hope this
doesn't lead to WWIII!
Warden Dickerson gave a
tablet update for the unit, the other day, and where Securus is at in
terms of getting everything ready to go...He said it was 30-60 days
out and if I had to guess, it's somewhere in between, because, as I
write this Securus has been wiring up the wifi signal boosters
(again, people, don't freak out...It's a secure closed network) on
the building I live on. The excitement is growing and the guys around
me have been playing this, 'what's the first thing you want to do on
your tablet?' game. I mean, besides the obvious like hopefully being
able to make calls, we all ask each other what movies we're going to
watch, which TV shows, music etc...You have to keep in mind that
until recently, some of us haven't even seen movies in two decades! I
keep saying I'm doing Star Wars, but after having seen Avatar, I
really want to watch it again! But then there are other movies I'd
love to watch...I'm a person that just loves cinema and all of its
genres, so I wouldn't know where to start! Or do I do TV first?
'Lost' is my favourite series of all time, but I've only ever
listened to it. Do I binge that if it's available? I just don't know!
One guy said he loves the 60s sitcom, 'Green Acres'...It's funny to
hear everyone talk about what they'd love to see. I have so much
music to catch up on it's not even funny. I said,
“Guys, we're entering
into the dawn of a new era for us. It's truly a brave new world.”
My neighbor joked,
“If you cried over
watching Avatar last week, I'm going to hear you in sobs when you
watch something on your tablet.”
To which I replied,
“Hey, dude...I have
no shame. No shame whatsoever.”
Every day is another
day closer. It's going to fundamentally change everything, and for
the cynics out there, we're already getting reports from other units
that it has made a tremendous difference in calming irritated inmates
after two years of COVID restrictions and little recreation, and has
turned the day rooms into ghost towns. It used to be that the day
room was like a wild west saloon – noise, dominoes slamming on
steel tables, people arguing, TV blaring, and the occasional
brawl...Now people are going out there in silence to get away from
their cell mate.
Things are changing,
and it's a good change. You'd have to be a nut to think it's a bad
thing because whilst no one should expect prison to be a country
club, they should be safe for both the prisoner and the officer.
There should be access to more educational and religious programs
that can easily be accessible via a tablet. Education is one of the
most important components in reducing recidivism. There should be
more access to families and friends because strong relationships are
another crucial component in reducing recidivism. It's been said that
you can judge a society by the way it treats its prisoners. It's not
about being 'soft' on pampering. True rehabilitation comes from
treating even the worst as capable of redemption and offers a pathway
to a second chance.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
February 28th, 2022
Wow...It's the last day
of the month. I'm always amazed by how quickly a day, a week, or a
month can shoot by even when it's beyond boring in this place. We've
had one day of recreation in over two months, and I've only had about
4 minutes of fresh air in two months. I'm looking out my window and
seeing the first signs of spring as the season is moving in, and I
wish I could just get two hours. Two stinking hours of sunshine and
fresh air...I know the COVID lockdowns were horrible for people, but
at least you could step outside and feel the wind, feel the sunshine,
and take a breath of air...I've not done that in two months...Do
people really believe that it's okay to do that to humans? Look, I
know it's not entirely TDCJ's fault. They truly are dealing with a
severe staff shortage...we just have to persevere.
I threw out a challenge
to some of the guys around me for when we get the tablets, and if
there are movies offered for free, I said,
“The challenge is you
have to watch a movie from every decade, if its available. That means
if there's a silent 1920s film, you have to watch it...”
Some guys were adamant
that they'd never watch an old black and white movie while some are
going to take the challenge. One guy is particularly looking forward
to it because he's never seen any of the old classics. My mom was a
big fan of Turner Classic Movies, and when I'd be forced to fold
laundry with her, we'd be watching those old movies, and I grew up to
like many of them.
Following the news in
Ukraine is very sad, but while not a fan of Fox News, I have to say
that the straight reporting over there on what's going on has been
really good.
And finally, I wanted
to thank everyone for their interest in my book, Nothing Beats As
Loud As My Heart, poetry collection. I'm touched, and extremely
grateful. Thank you!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 1st, 2022
March...Spring is
almost here and we're another day closer to getting our tablets. I
can't believe that soon we will actually be in the 21st
Century!
There are guys around
me that have never even used a computer, let alone a touch screen.
For myself, I've not touched a computer since 1996, and I've joked
with my girlfriend that my brain is still operating on Windows '95.
It's going to be wild!
So, in all of the
coverage of Ukraine and being touched by the stories of courage and
the like, I can't help but wonder why other conflicts in the world
are not covered or cared about to the extent that this war in Ukraine
is. Don't get me wrong, it's awful all the same, but I just get
irritated when western media picks and chooses its atrocities...Nor
do people rally to the countless atrocities that occur around the
world every single day. Everyone talks about war crimes perpetuated
by Russia, and we sanction them immediately, but we don't do the same
to other countries because we buy cheap goods from them?
I find it all
hypocritical how we choose our battles...
I didn't get much sleep
last night because the guards surprised us by doing phone calls when
we thought they wouldn't be happening, after 11pm...I was able to
call my girlfriend which was awesome!
I went outside today
and it was perfect! It felt like spring...not cold or warm, just
perfect. I sat in the sun for a bit and walked around and thought
about life and things...All everyone wants to talk about these days
is the tablets, and I understand. I get just as excited, but I also
like to get lost inside my head and think for a bit...It was peaceful
and I felt like I was in a mental reset as I took in the fresh air.
I feel blessed to have
gotten outside today...I feel blessed to have the love of my Taffy,
friends, and the support of strangers. Tomorrow is the day in which
they release CCA rulings, so I'm wondering if it'll be the big day or
not? I'll be following the news intently while also praying for some
other important things going on that are a bit personal, but I pray
will work out all the same for my Taffy...I know it'll all be okay!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace
March 6th, 2022
It's been a bit of a
boring weekend. I've not been doing too much other than a lot of
thinking, and listening to music and movies on the Prison Radio
Station. I listened to 'The Ghostbusters: Afterlife' last night and
it wasn't horrible, but I think it lacked a bit of what made the
original a classic. After that, they played a really good Interpol
concert. A great band! I'll definitely be checking out more of their
music when we get the tablets.
There's been some good
news this past week for Death Row...There was a stay of execution on
the guy who was looking at the 8th for a date,and another
guy was granted a reversal of his appeals and will be getting off
death row. It was granted by the CCA and with two down...they say
things happen in threes, so I've got to be next, right? Please G-d
let that be the case!
It's been really warm
and humid. I think there's a cool front coming through, but it's not
expected to last long. It's safe to say spring is here and with
daylight savings next weekend, the days will be longer.
I'll close this with a
quote from Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson:
“While we may be
aware of our personal flaws, for the most part we cover them up with
self love. We need to do the same for others – overlook their
flaws. Especially since we never truly know what's going on inside
another person's mind and heart.”
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 9th, 2022
Yesterday was absolute chaos and mayhem. Someone near me joked that our recreation, when it happens (which is about once a week the past few times) comes at a cost, and man was he right! It started when two new guards were doing a job they have never had to do or were even trained to do. One was extremely old and the other very young. The experienced officer was in the control center. She should have been on the floor, but she said they needed to learn, a baptism of fire of sorts. Sink or swim. Unfortunately, we were caught in the middle.
I was scheduled for second round when they put my neighbor into his cell and were to get me next. I was standing at the door, at the ready, when the two guards began to argue what they should do nexr – get me into the day room or go ahead and put my neighbor into the shower. I offered that they could put my neighbor in the shower and then get me as the shower was only a few steps away. They argued some more and then went to get my neighbor. Then, the woman in the control center started to scream at them from afar to get me to rec. They stopped, came to my cell, and then the old dude said,
“I ain't letting no woman tell me what to do!”
The young female officer said,
“What's that supposed to mean?”
Then they argued some more. Finally, I said,
“Hey! You've been standing here between me and my neighbor arguing! Get me to rec and you can finish this debate on the pros and cons of being a misogynist! I just want to go to recreation!”
They stopped and FINALLY came and stripped me out and got me to rec.
I exercised for an hour at rec, and then talked to some guys in their cells and helped pass some books and food. One guy offered me two tacos he made and I have to say they were delicious.
After two hours I made it back to my cell and had my shower and eased into the rest of the day. It should have been that simple, and as I prepared to start my work for the day, two guys on my section got into a 'knock out drag out' argument, and it went on and on with them screaming and cussing at each other. It was the most immature argument I've heard in quite some time, but I guess they needed to get it out of their system out of pure frustration at the conditions and such. A couple of us tried to 'break it up' and put an end to it, but it did no good. They just went back at it...
I think it was just a series of events and the conditions here that lead to it, as I've been hearing other arguments on section near us as well...It can be difficult sitting in a cell 24/7 with nothing to do. For better or worse, because A-Pod is pretty much the faith based pod they get a lot of perks – additional movies, treats like cookies and such, and that's making some guys angry as well because they feel they shouldn't have to be religious to get those perks. I can see it that way, but I also know that the 'sacrifice' those guys have to make is they have to be on their utmost best behaviour. They have to attend classes, such as the Bridges to Life – a program that shows criminals the damage their crimes have done to victims, and other classes. So, it's not like they're just sitting over there having the time of their life each and every day. They have to do the work. And from my understanding of it, all faiths are welcome, but it's mostly Judaeo-Christian in nature.
Regardless of that, I do think that once the tablets arrive, things will get better, and as I tell guys who get frustrated, having one movie every two to three weeks is more than we've had in two decades so 'take the win'. Appreciate it and believe that better things will come. I'm sure of it.
I was in bed around 10.30pm last night and jumped out of bed at 6am to exercise and listen to the '90s female rockers. I'm going to ask the station if they'll do a spot light of music I'm compiling in a list...I do a lot of that for the station because of my vast knowledge of alternative music, and it's fun to get involved.
We didn't have recreation today, but it has been peaceful. I've kept as busy as I can all while monitoring the Texas news to see if the CCA would make a ruling on my case. Nope. Nothing today.
I wanted to ask people to consider finding a good charity organisation to help Ukranians and the refugees fleeing into nearby countries. Some of the stories I've been hearing are just heartbreaking, especially the ones of the frightened children that could possibly lose their fathers forever...Please, think about doing something for them.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
March 13th, 2022
Daylight savings has me
a little out of whack, but I'm adjusting. I was hoping on a shower
this morning, as it's now day three without one, but that isn't
happening. It's showing no sign of improvement with the staff
shortage. I think yesterday, for 12 Building, only 10 officers showed
up to work. They had one officer doing security checks on three pods.
Today, the same officer said he's doing security checks on four pods
and even joked that one of these days they'll just be down to 6
officers working in the control centers and that's it.
And that is the crux of
it all...You've got all of these politicians calling to get 'tough on
crime' again and lock everyone up, take away bail, and to hand out
more severe sentences. They already pass out life sentences to young
people like Halloween candy! Yet, they remain blind to the problems
within the system...Specifically that people don't want to work in
prisons anymore. They don't want to work in jails. They don't want to
work in State prisons all across the United States. What do you do?
I got into a bit of a
heated debate with a guy here that lives near me. One of the Field
Ministers said there had been complaints on another pod that the
movie being shown, Black Hawk Down was too violent...they didn't
want to see limbs being blown off and guts hanging out, so the Field
Minister had switched the movie up to a cartoon called Boss
Baby...It was a stop gap measure until he can get his hands on
some other movies they're waiting on approval to be shown back
here. Well, the guy told the Field Minister,
“Don't bring that
crap over here. We don't want to watch it.”
I sat there thinking,
“Does this dude think
he's just going to speak for all of us?”
So, I went to the door
and said,
“Hey, don't do that.
Don't speak for everyone because me, personally, I don't have a
problem with it. I'm sure they'll eventually have some better movies.
Some of us haven't even seen a cartoon in two decades.”
The Field Minister said
it was really funny, and we'd be surprised, so more of us said,
“Yeah, bring it.
We'll watch whatever you bring.”
The guy got mad and
started to be really disrespectful which was mind boggling. Take the
win. Something is better than nothing.
I wanted to be a smart
ass and say,
“Hey...when you get
your tablet you can watch anything you want to watch.”
But I left it alone.
Other than that,
nothing has really been going on. It's been a really boring weekend
and I'm trying to get through it and into a new week of hope.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 14th 2022
I knew something felt
'off' when I woke up this morning...Getting sack meals for lunch or
dinner hasn't been out of the ordinary because of the extreme staff
shortages, but lately we've been getting hot breakfasts. Well, this
morning we had a sack meal for breakfast. When I woke up and began to
exercise, an officer passed through for a security check, and someone
asked what was going on and she told the guy that we were on the
spring lockdown. It's expected to last 3 – 3 ½ weeks as they start
shaking down the entire unit. Honestly, it doesn't really matter to
us because we never leave our cell anymore anyways. It'll just stop
phone calls for the next few weeks, which really sucks and we'll have
to wait on our next movie. Maybe with inmates locked up in their
cells the company installing the equipment for the tablets will be
able to move faster...that's the hope!
I had a legal call
today and it was nice to get out of the cell for about thirty
minutes. It was a nice call, and while there was no news on a ruling
from the CCA, we're all still holding out for hope. My lawyers told
me not to read into anything with the CCA taking so long to make a
decision. There is no way to guage what's going on. In fact, I've
known guys that have waited for years on a ruling.
The really cool thing
during the call was to hear someone's music to one of my poems in my
latest poetry collection. The guy wrote music to accompany one of the
poems I wrote for my Taffy, 'Love Birds', and it sounded really
mellow and folksy, and got my vote of approval! I've asked to get his
permission to post it on the site, and hopefully we can get it up so
everyone can listen to it...It sounds great, and I was really moved
that a musician would help me to fulfil a dream.
The day has been a bit
boring and we've been waiting all day for lunch. At the time that I
write this we've been waiting 13 hours for lunch!
So, that's the day in a
nutshell.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 15th, 2022
I woke up at 5.45am and
started exercising...Lunch came yesterday at about 6.30pm and dinner
was around midnight, so I had taken the sandwich from dinner and put
it in my hot pot to keep overnight and eat as a 'post-workout' meal.
They did showers which was nice, particularly after going 4 days
without one. I came back in from the shower and ate my PB&J
sandwich, and then decided to leave the other sandwich for later. At
least it'll be nice and hot and well cooked!
We had quite a storm
last night and it knocked over a dead tree that was behind a building
in front of my window. Thank goodness there were no bird nests in
that tree, but I was shocked to see the tree gone...I'm sure all of
the rain and wind knocked it over.
That's really all that
has happened today.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 17th, 2022
Another boring day on lockdown and I'm feeling a bit anxious as I check the news every hour to see if the CCA will make a ruling on my case...Nope. I have to wait another week.
I did catch an interesting interview with the TDCJ Executive Director, Bryan Collier, and I have to say that I was impressed with his vision for Texas prisons. He's implemented a plan called the '2030 Plan'. The goal is to have jobs established, upon release, for every inmate that gets out of prison. Basically, the idea is to have the job interview process take place before the prisoner makes parole. When he gets out, the job is waiting so that they don't have to return to crime or the streets. It's pretty bold. He also wanted to work out a deal with Securus to have the radio station here on Polunsky, live streamed to every prison in Texas, on their tablets. That's pretty cool. He said that on the units that already have their tablets, he can see the 'positive' impact it's having in these prisons. Day rooms are ghost towns. The living areas much quieter, and the fights have dropped because people don't want to lose their privileges. That was cool to hear.
They turned the AC on today because of spring. I'm pretty sure they'll take the jackets and blankets when it's our turn for the shakedown. Better to have the AC on now than wait until it reaches 90F.
Something else I learned today is the prison created a new job position called a 'Retention Officer' – an employee whose sole purpose is to keep morale up for the officers to they won't quit. It's worth a shot, but I think it's the wrong approach. Won't work. You have to get the administration to treat officers like humans, and get supervisors to actually lead, but what do I know?
One other thing the Executive Director said on the interview – and this set off a little alarm bell within me...he said he'd like to get to a point where no physical mail comes into the prison anymore, and we just use the messaging on the tablets...I don't like this and feel strongly that people should be vocal about this NOW before it gets implemented in the future. Not everyone uses computers, and there's a certain intimacy that comes from receiving a physical letter or even a card. Plus, while the tablet does have access to over 50,000 free books, I know there are people that like holding physical copies of books, and there might be an ebook on the tablet that someone would want to read...or even magazines and comics. So, I'm asking people to speak up about it now because if they ever decided to go all digital with mail, that will be the end of snail mail.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
March 20th, 2022
Woohoo! Spring is
officially here! I love spring almost as much as I love autumn. I'm
just hoping that whenever this lockdown is over with, we'll be able
to get out of our cells more and I can get out and get some sunshine.
I'm so white right now that I'm borderline translucent...I just want
to get some fresh air into my lungs and hear the birds singing.
We're heading into our
second week of the lockdown. We've been told that our building will
probably be the last building that is searched, so we've about two
more weeks to go. The administration wants to have everything
finished up before all the big holidays kick off in
April...Everything is converging with Ramadan, Passover, and Easter.
Plus, they have some kind of thing kicking off for some Christian
groups as well. And while I'm sure everyone is excited about all of
the approaching holidays, I think the fact that we're closer to
receiving our tablets is what has everyone most excited.
Last night was
particularly boring and someone was talking on the run last night and
told another guy,
“Think about
it...maybe in a month or less from now your Saturday nights will be
talking to your family or watching a movie or listening to a cool
podcast...”
I smiled and I thought
to myself,
“No doubt...it's
going to forever change how we do things back here.”
I'm hoping this new
week brings about good things. I have a feeling it will. I'm going to
try to get my head back in the game and focus a bit better on my
projects and ideas I've had for some other things. I'll be good, I'm
sure.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 23rd, 2022
I couldn't sleep last
night...I went to bed at 10pm after I read my girlfriend's Jpay, and
initially fell asleep quickly, because it had been a long day and the
night before I kept waking up to use the bathroom. I felt like an old
man and kept thinking,
“Why on earth am I
peeing so much?” Yeah, I know...TMI!
So, I pull the blanket
up, say my prayers, and Bam! Asleep in seconds. Then, my eyes opened
at 1am as I heard food slots open and breakfast sacks being passed
out. Most officers just hang the bag in the slot (and a few jerks
just toss it on your floor like feeding a dog) so I had no intention
of getting out of bed. I rolled over and closed my eyes...but
couldn't fall back to sleep. I tried a breathing technique that
usually gets me back to sleep but it didn't work, and so I lay there
in the dark, eventually getting out of bed to grab the sack. I ate
the peanut butter sandwich, crawled back into bed, and let my mind
wander.
The pod was so still
and silent...peaceful...perfect. No one yelling...No chaos...No radio
blaring. Darkness and silence. I prayed that should today be the day
of the CCA ruling, it be favorable and G-d grants me mercy, and a
second chance. I thought about my Taffy and how wonderful she is...I
thought of life and how jacked up the world seems to be right now.
Lately, I've been thinking about all of the violence, specifically
gun violence, and what I think is behind it. It feels random, right?
Someone walks into a mall, or store...opens fire. Someone shoots into
a car or home...Someone gets into an argument, gets mad and shoots
the other person...
It's easy to blame the
guns...I hate guns – absolutely the worst thing human beings ever
created, and there's little doubt that guns make it easier to
perpetuate acts of violence, but is it the cause? No.
I have no empirical
evidence...I'm just thinking out loud, but why is the US one of the
most violent countries in the world? A first world, technologically
advanced super power...Wealthy beyond measure. I think it's two fold:
- We value goods over life; and
- We're a revenge driven society.
Everyone must pay. Our
economy is product and entertainment driven. Hear me out...I'm not
going to go all 'socialism is the answer' here. I used to identify as
a socialist, but what I really believed in was a social system of
programs that benefit all citizens, while maintaining a free but fair
capital driven economy. No one wants to have to give up their hard
earned money for high taxes, especially when its carelessly spent by
politicians for their own agendas. But if you could see the benefits
of carefully spent dollars in education, health care, parks, roads,
infrastructure...If you could actually see where these taxes are
spent and how it could benefit so many people. You could take pride
and say “my taxes built that” or “my taxes saved lives with
universal health care.”
But no...it's “Don't
take what's mine! Go fend for yourself.” Instead, our material
society tells you to waste your money on the newest cellphone you
really don't need.
Hey, I love material
crap too. I love movies. I love music. I love stereos and TVs, and
I'd probably have a cool phone, maybe Star Wars toys too. But do we
need to buy, buy, buy? Do we need closets and closets of clothes, or
to replace shoes every month? Watches, jewellery, that you rarely
even wear?
Yes, capitalism fuels
invention and technology, but there's technology that pushes humanity
forward, and there's disposable tech...a cool gadget to distract you
from reality. You're told you need it. You need new clothing every
month. You need a new car every year...You're 'influenced' and made
to feel less of a person if you don't get it. Resentment, envy, and
jealousy bubbles up when someone else has it and you don't. People
begin to rob and steal. A life is valued less than an iPhone.
If people buy less does
the economy slow down? Yes, but so does everything else. People may
pay a little more for things, but as the economy levels out, so does
life. You can appreciate it more instead of being stressed all of the
time. Everyone now is in a great big hurry to go nowhere. People
sacrifice sanity and peaceful living for a job that sees you as
expendable. Your health suffers, your family suffers. Humanity
suffers.
I lived comfortably as
a kid...Big home, travelling, private school, teenage comforts, but
when I wanted something that was 'cool' and popular, my dad would
often say,
“Be happy with what
you have and not with what you don't have.”
It irritated me and I
envied the kids with the newest pair of Air Jordans, but really, my
feet were just fine.
As for revenge...It's
in everything we do. Our criminal justice system is built around it.
We must punish. Teach a lesson. Execute them or lock them up for
life. Our use of the death penalty says,
“Killing is wrong,
but we're going to kill you because society needs justice and
closure. You have no redemption value. You have no value at all.”
The way we sentence
young people for crimes, leaves them to believe they have no value
either. Do the crime. Do the time. Wash, rinse, repeat. If we focused
on restorative justice and being smart on crime, we could break the
cycle. Some criminals that are young just need the right tools. They
aren't forever lost or need to be punished in the most severe way to
prove you're 'tough on crime'. Politicians, some police and district
attorneys have been trying the same old tough on crime thing for
decades and if it hasn't worked yet, it ain't ever going to work. You
know the old adage,
“Doing the same thing
over and over, and expecting a different result, is insanity.”
Then, we make enemies
of one another by focusing on our differences instead of what we
have in common...I'm pitted against you because my political view is
ruining the country, you're told to believe, or the other way around.
This only fuels anger and resentment. I've got to stop you at all
costs. People become radicalised when they begin to see another side
as a threat or as 'evil'...Their minds twist, and suddenly they
believe it's okay to walk into a synagogue and kill the congregates,
or a Walmart in El Paso to stop the illegals.
We're lead to feel you
have no right to get in my way. Cut me off in traffic? Let me grab my
gun and teach you a lesson. Walk through my neighbourhood and you fit
the profile of a gangster? You got it coming. Shove me in line at a
store? I shoot you. Disrespect me at a club? I shoot you. I 'fear'
for my life? I shoot you. You cheat on me? I shoot you. An eye for an
eye leaves us all blind.
The only exception I
make is true self-defence. But revenge serves no one. It's not always
easy to walk away, but often if a person just pauses, steps outside
of the moment, allows it to pass, they're better off for it. In
prison it's often viewed as weak to 'walk away' or to not get someone
back for slighting you, but I've long held the opinion that it takes
a stronger person to walk away.
In the past decade –
well, really two decades – the US has been this bubbling cauldron
of stewing hatred. Politicians have weaponised just about every
issue. It's seeped into every aspect of life. It's multiplied 100
fold in the past few years. Both political parties are equally
guilty. This hatred has poisoned the soul of our country. There's
never a solution...Just reactions and drowning out the other. You
really wonder why violence is on the rise? What do we do when the
cauldron spills over? I think if people would just simmer down,
actually talk, be respectful, and work together for the greater good,
solutions can be found. There's no reason why you can't have your
guns without feeling that at any moment you may need to use it. I
don't need to be your best friend to work with you and see your
humanity. People shouldn't feel they need to rob or steal to have
money or nice things...or feel it's their only option. Domestic
violence shouldn't be the solution to stress within a family unit.
Police shouldn't feel they're not appreciated, but also feel
encouraged to speak out against bad apples in their ranks. People
shouldn't be cancelled for saying something stupid, when we all have
said stupid things in our lives or made mistakes. Schools shouldn't
be weaponised. Health care shouldn't be either.
We can respect
religious freedoms for all without hiding behind it to hate others.
When our brothers and sisters speak of systemic issues and the pain
of it, we should listen and try to understand why they hurt. We
should not dismiss it and say,
“They just want to
use the race card. They want to blame everyone else.”
Politics can be a
sinister game. Remove the money from it and it's neutered. Level the
playing field by cutting out special interests and return the power
to the people, and suddenly wedge issues begin to wither away and
politicians hopefully begin to address the real issues we all care
about: Living freely, safely, and comfortably. We don't need a utopia
but there's no reason why we should have the problems we have! It's
mind blowing.
Anyways...enough of
that stream of consciousness thought exercise...I'm just babbling out
loud. Well, one more thought...In Judaism, we believe there are two
inclinations to the human being: Evil – which is our animal/flesh
side, and Good – our soul. Forgive me if I mangle in this as I'm
not a Talmudic scholar! We are capable of both evil acts and good,
but through our mistakes and good deeds, as well as our desire to be
close to G-d, our good inclination overpowers evil. A revered Rebbe
said, “A little bit of light can chase out the darkness wherever it
touches.”
Americans have an
incredible capacity for goodness. We're usually one of the first to
speak out against cruelty and injustices anywhere in the world. Look
at how our citizens have responded to natural disasters. Our
government offers aid, sure, but the people – THE PEOPLE – open
their hearts and give what they can. We send our first responders,
food, medicine, clothing, builders and materials. Look at the
countless charity drives for food, clothing etc for the people of
Ukraine.
So, it must be
confusing to people in other parts of the world to see us so divided
and at each other's throats now. It sucks because it gives
authoritarian governments a way to say,
“Who are they to tell
us what to do, or complain and make accusations about human rights
abuses...Look at what they do to their own people!”
I don't like the term,
'American exceptionalism' because it implies that we are divinely
blessed and greater than others. We aren't, and that so called
'greatness' comes at the expense and off the backs of others through
genocide and slavery. We don't like to swallow that harsh pill, but
it's true. However, good can blossom out of bad. Many of us on death
row are examples of that, and while our pasts are dark, a little bit
of light can chase it away and we can be real leaders and examples to
the world. I think the Ukranian President said it best in a speech to
our congress... “You are the leader of the free world...So lead.”
Alrighty, I'm done this
time...ha ha. There are just those time I can't get what's in my
brain on a loop out onto paper. Then, like Moses beating the rock
with a stick for water, a verbal flood of thoughts comes pouring out,
often to the dismay, probably, of my Taffy who graciously types all
of this out for me – thank you, honey! I guess I just have a lot of
nervous energy of late. I'm anxious for the CCA ruling!
There was a collective
groan yesterday when the warden announced that the projected tablet
date was pushed back to June! You'd think a multi-million dollar tech
company like Securus would have a gazillion employees, but they're
apparently suffering a staff shortage as well. Sigh...We'll get there
eventually.
It looks like there'll
be no ruling from the CCA this week, and so I press on! I'll keep
hoping and praying for the good outcome.
If none of today's
journal makes sense, I blame a lack of sleep! I kind of let
loose...It happens from time to time, so thanks for sticking around.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 24th, 2022
I woke up this morning to Sonny and Cher's I got you, babe, and had a mild fright thinking,
“Oh no...it's happening to me”
Well, I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning, but I swear if I wake up and that song is playing again,, I'm throwing myself down the stairs...For anyone that has no idea what I'm talking about – there's a great '90s Bill Murray film called Groundhog Day, in which he gets caught in a time loop having to relive the same day, every day. Each morning starts with I got you, babe on his clock radio alarm.
I finally had an uninterrupted night of sleep! It was lovely....My neighbor had an over the counter antihistamine they sell on commissary that leaves you slightly drowsy, and it did wonders. I generally don't take meds. I'll pop the occasional aspirin if I get a headache, but even that's rare for me. Any ache or pain in my old age of 44 years, I can tough through, but I needed sleep badly. My mind feels refreshed.
We had showers today as well. What's weird is we seem to get more showers on a lockdown (almost every other day) when we often go 4-7 days when not on a lockdown. I can never figure the pattern out...It's an exercise in futility. If everything runs perfectly one day you cannot expect the same result the next day. In fact, prepare yourself for it to go completely bonkers.
Well, a bit of good news/bad news...The Supreme Court ruled today that TDCJ must allow a minister of any faith to touch a condemned prisoner as he is executed. The bad news is this now paves the way for executions to resume again and opens up the possibility that many counties will now move to set execution dates for those who have exhausted their appeals, including my co-defendant, Patrick Murphy, who was the the first person to receive a stay and appeal to the Supreme Court to allow his Buddhist Monk to touch him as he was put to death.
That's been my day...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
March 25th, 2022
Friday...Today was one
of those days where I would have really liked to get out of my cell,
if only for a short while. I've felt bored, restless...a bit anxious,
and here I am at the end of the day listening to an hour of Fiona
Apple on the Prison Radio station.
Speaking of the Prison
Radio station, it was announced today that they'd no longer be
showing 'Rated R' movies on the general population unit channel on
the weekends as a reward for 'good behaviour', good work etc. They
put a handful of these movies on for them to watch. It's been pretty
effective at keeping fights down as well because no one wants to lose
the movie weekends. The movies are all donated by volunteers,
churches, and inmates families. No movie is paid for by the state.
Then, for those that can't watch TV, the radio station plays the
audio from those movies every evening – typically one movie per
night.
On one hand, I can
understand – today's movies can really push the boundaries in terms
of violence or sexual content. I can see how the administration would
find it hard to promote change, rehabilitation, and redemptive
behaviour by showing certain films that have gratuitous violence,
sex, drug use, criminal behavior. On the other hand, there are decent
rated 'R' movies that are based on historical events, might have a
salty language (but I mean, we're in prison and even the guards curse
like sailors) or even slapstick or blue comedy...Then, you have
'80s/'90s movies that are considered classics that were rated 'R' but
by today's standards would get a PG13 rating. I just wish a little
consideration would be given instead of a blanket ban of all rated
'R' movies. But, it's a privilege and PG13 movies are better than no
movies. It is what it is.
I was listening to a
couple of guys talk about yesterday's Supreme Court ruling allowing a
minister of any faith into the execution chamber to pray out loud and
touch the condemned person. They seemed a bit excited at the 'win'
without really thinking about what the win means. So, one guy says,
“Yeah, so 'so and so'
gets to have his pastor in the execution chamber. It's about time!”
And the other guy replied,
“I know. It's about
time the Supreme Court ruled in our favour on something.”
And I'm sitting here,
pit in my stomach, thinking,
“Dudes...what it
means is there are no road blocks moving forward on executions. All
these guys that gets stays as the Supreme Court decided...they're all
going to get dates again! All of these counties that were hesitant to
set execution dates on the countless men who have exhausted their
appeals...they might move to set dates on them knowing there's
nothing to hold it up now. It's a win...sure. A win that's gonna get
a bunch of people killed.”
I hate to sound
cynical, but when you hear your former prosecutor talking to a
reporter on the news about your co-defendant, saying,
“Had TDCJ not wasted
all of this time and money, this guy should've been executed two
years ago!”
It makes you realise
that there's still a large segment of society that wants us all dead.
They smell blood in the water and it's also an election year. The
stall on executions over the past couple of years has lulled us into
a false sense of a belief that things are coming to an end. Yes, it's
true that more and more people are beginning to change their minds on
executions and the list of states that have abolished the DP is ever
growing. But if you think Texas is ready to put it to an end, you
better wake up. I don't think people realise how many men around me
have exhausted their appeals...I mean completely finished...Nothing
to file...No last minute appeal. DONE. They've been either fortunate
that they are in counties that have a DA who is a Democrat and really
doesn't want to set a date if they don't have to (of course, unless
trying to score political points with particularly 'high profile'
cases) or events of COVID, and the minister issue gave them cause to
wait and see what happens.
I'm not going to be
negative or the bearer of bad news, but people need to wake up. It's
scary. One of my neighbors is someone who was recently turned down by
the Supreme Court...His lawyers told him the DA wouldn't set a date
until the Supreme Court ruled on the minister issue. He heard it
would at least get him to June. He's very upset now knowing what's
coming. I told him I'm here if he needs to talk or has any questions,
but all he said was,
“I'll be alright.”
Listening to these guys
talk without understanding the magnitude of the situation....Ugh....I
just wonder what could have been done in these past two years to push
for change? I will say this to end this depressing thought...On a
note of optimism and hope...There's a new class of whip smart lawyers
that work on capital cases. They know the old tricks don't work, and
they have approached trying to save a defendant in new ways. They
think outside the box and they have been incredibly successful in
saving guys. I've seen more people get off death row in the past
couple of years than in the 18 plus years I've been on death row.
Some of us owe our lives to these amazing attorneys, and to our
personal advocates – my Taffy, in my case.
Anyways...I hope I feel
a bit less restless over the weekend...
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 28th, 2022
Yesterday threw my
equilibrium off...I woke up looking forward to the day and week –
more so because I learned over the weekend that I was accepted onto a
course called, 'Overcomers'. I had heard that on the prison radio
station and I thought,
“I wonder since the
class is taught over the radio if I can take it?”
I sent in a request and
on Saturday learned I'd been accepted! I was told I needed to catch
up on 3 weeks of work, but that was okay. I've also requested to take
the 'Voyager' course – a sort of self-improvement/life tools class,
and I'm waiting to see if I've been accepted into that.
I started my day like
any other – writing to my Taffy – when I was told to pack up my
stuff because I'd be moving to C-Pod, A-Section. I wasn't happy
because it's where they move most of the trouble makers. I asked to
talk to a sergeant and when he came and asked what the deal is he
told me it was my time to move and that's where I was going. I packed
my things and waited and waited. I didn't end up moving until close
to 10pm – I wasn't a happy camper. Two guys near me were cussing
each other out, and the energy over here is totally
negative....Banging...screaming...a mess! I was exhausted, and so I
quickly settled in with as much as I could, wrote a request to the
secretary over moves to see if I could move back to B-Pod and put my
ear plugs in and went to sleep.
I woke back up at
5.50am, got up to finish taking care of my cell. The two guys arguing
the night before started up again, and the section erupted into
chaos. Fortunately, Field Minister Troop came by and I told him I
wanted to get back to B-Pod. He told me to write another request to
the secretary to try to move and said he'd put in a word for me as
well. So, all of the pieces are in place and I'll have to wait a few
days to see if I can move again.
Push comes to shove in
two months, I'll just request to go to the Faith Based section, when
the new session happens. That's if the CCA doesn't rule on my behalf
by then, which could happen! I hope...
Most of C-Pod is ad-seg
as well, so the vibe over here is pretty bad. I just keep thinking,
“Of all the places
they could have moved me to, why over here?”
It's just odd. I'll
adjust, of course, and survive. But I'd rather be near my friends. It
makes time a little easier.
Well, looks like as I
write this I'm headed back to B-Pod! I thought it would take a few
days, but it was less than 24 hours! Praise G-d! More next time.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
March 31st, 2022
It's been a long
chaotic and stressful week, but today is the first day I've felt
settled. Monday night I was moved from B-Pod to C-Pod. I didn't want
to get trapped in that madhouse and so on Tuesday, and with the help
of Field Minister 'Troop', he talked to the secretary in charge of
moves and was able to get me back to B-Pod, 84 cell. It's not the
greatest of cell locations, but I was just grateful to not have to
live on C-Pod. The energy was so dark and heavy...everyone was
fighting, and one guy kept banging on the walls. It was just insane!
The section I live on
now is so peaceful, quiet...A few of my friends are nearby and
everyone is super positive. I liked my cell on the other side of the
pod, but a couple of guys were so negative and pessimistic that it
was distracting, and to be honest, was starting to get to me. I
wanted to move, but just not all the way to C-Pod.
The cell I'm in now was
a nightmare to clean...Do you know the creepy house on the movie IT?
It felt like that....there were cobwebs everywhere, cockroaches...the
walls and floors were filthy. I was a bit upset at first and thought,
“How on earth can
someone live like this?”
But my neighbor said
the guy that lived in the cell before me had some kind of medical
condition...It still sucked to clean and took me a couple of days to
feel at ease. It's still all good, and I'll take this cell over C-Pod
any day.
It was a gorgeous
spring day today, and I'm in good spirits, and kept myself busy.
Yeah, it's been a peaceful day and full of good vibes.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
April 3rd, 2022
It's a very peaceful
Sunday...Very quiet. The sky is perfect outside of my window, and
it's a bit on the warm side, but that's okay. As I write this I'm
listening to some Bollywood music on a Hindi station that has popped
up out of nowhere on my radio. It's lively music and hard not to want
to shimmy and shake to! Ha ha.
Yesterday the Field
Minister 'Troop' came through and told me I had to wait on the the
classes I'd signed up to until a new semester started. It was a bit
disappointing to hear, but at least I know if I'm still here, and if
the CCA takes a long time to rule, I can take them.
There was quite a bit
of buzz over the weekend as Securus passed out papers with price
lists for the tablet options. The subscription rates aren't too
unreasonable, but I do think there are 'hidden fees'. I think the
subscriptions only give you access to the content. I think that the
inmate will have to pay individually to rent the games and movies, as
well as the newspapers/magazines. That being said, there's a ton of
free content – I mean free access to e-books/audio books and
podcasts...Do you know how fantastic that is? Anyone who knows me has
heard me talk about getting a program started so that indigent
inmates have access to free radios, books etc. Now, with the tablets,
every inmate in TDCJ will have a free FM radio, access to
books/podcasts etc. Even a handful of free games! If you can't afford
movies, I'm sure the guys that have a cellmate will share if they
can. It's going to make life a little more bearable and ease so much
tension. Watch and see...We're so close.
I love this section I
now live on. What a blessing to have been moved over here! There's
zero negativity...Everyone gets along...There no arguing...No
noise...We can talk to each other and try to help one another. I
liked where I was at on A-Section, but there was tension, negativity,
and a lot of noise. It's night and day.
We should have our
shakedown this coming week and I'm ready to get it over with. It'll
be the 4th week of lockdown this week. I really need to
get out of the cell, stretch my legs and hopefully have a chance to
get fresh air and sunlight.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
April 5th, 2022
Today we're breaking 90F with the temperature...It's a bit hotter than that in the cell, and it feels miserable. Yes, the death row building has air conditioning and don't let anyone tell you that it doesn't...Now, population cells don't. I really feel for those guys because it's hotter than Hades there! They've got the AC blowing, but it's a trickle. I think there's something wrong with my vent, like there's a blockage or something because you can barely feel it. Oy!
We're still on lockdown as I write this. The rumor is that it should be over by the weekend. I certainly hope so. Speaking of rumors, someone said that they're taking the Polunsky Visitation schedule back to the way it was Monday-Friday, but I've not seen that anywhere. Someone's girlfriend told him and the guy kind of ran with it. I started to probe deeper and asked questions because no one went to visit yesterday, and so far as I can tell, the Tuesday/Thursday and Saturday night schedule is still in place. He got frustrated with me asking so many questions and I said,
“Hey, I like to read the fine print. You just can't say something is so, when by all appearances it isn't so at all...I'm not being negative, but we do bad enough getting caught up in the rumor mill.”
He had also said special visits are going to resume, but again, that's yet to be seen.
It's been a fairly peaceful day. I was super excited when on the radio station today they played a narrated audio version of Pete's Dragon (the movie, which I love...even though I loved the original version that was a musical when I was a kid). My Taffy donated it to the station which is funny because she said she chose it on a whim because she knew I liked it and took a chance, hoping everyone would enjoy it...I had just sent her a letter suggesting it. It was a total hit with everyone, and guys around me were surprised as how good it was. One guy said,
“Man...I didn't expect I'd get teary-eyed and dismissed Megamind when he gave us the warning it was a tear-jerker...And the next thing I know, I'm tearing up over a stupid effing drafon!!” Ha ha.
It got me exactly the same way!
And yes, the Prison Radio Station IS accepting DVDs and CDs. They must come from a legitimate store or online vendor like Amazon. They can be used, as long as they come from a legitimate source. They can only be PG-13 or under, and please steer clear of unrated movies as they might not make it through. If you send music, it cannot have an 'explicit lyrics' label on it...nothing violent...nothing Satanic...But again, the CDs can come via a legitimate store or online vendor. Don't worry about repeat CDs or DVDs either. They keep back ups in case music/movies are lost or the hard drives crash. They also send the music and movies to other prisons that are developing similar programs like on Polunsky.
To donate music or movies, you can send them addressed as follows:
Chaplain Department/106.5 The Tank
C/O Chaplain Martin
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston
Texas 77351
USA
I highly recommend you get involved...You'll not only be putting a smile on many faces and making life just a little bit better, but you'll also be participating in a groundbreaking program that no one ever thought would be possible in Texas, where faith, rehabilitation, and a real focus on restorative justice is the primary focus...Please!
And thank you :-)
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April 6th, 2022
I was listening to the news yesterday, and they went on and on about the crime problem of late. What frustrated me though, is the common theme from the politicians and Houston Police Chief that "We've got to get these people off of the streets and put pressure on Judges to stop giving bail." And yes, it sounds great...You can even slap it on a bumper sticker, but locking everyone up doesn't work and has never worked. Unless you're trying to get to the root of the problem, all you're doing is filling up understaffed jails and prisons, and putting stresses on the state and country budgets, creating a revolving door that puts criminals in and spits them back out ad nauseam.
I just keep thinking, "why won't politicians and police just try to fix the problems?" I don't know what's so hard about that. Are you going to erase all crime? No...Humans are humans...but can you put in place policies that minimise the problems? Educational programs...addressing domestic and gun violence? When I wrote that stream of consciousness rant, I said that guns weren't the problem, but I should have clarified that they are definitely part of the problem. There are way too many of them, and they're too damn easy to get hold of. They are a vile mechanism - worst invention in the history of humankind! Their potential to be used for evil is unprecedented. But the fact remains that society has to get to the root of this issue. You can't just lock everyone up!
Well, today was our shakedown day...It really wasn't bad at all. Whenever I come back to my cell after a shakedown, I always expect it to be a mess, but everything was nice, neat, and orderly. Most of the time it looks as if a tornado passed through!
The CCA didn't rule today...My gut is telling me it's going to be a while longer. Not much I can do about that but wait...patiently.
Oh! We were watching Securus dig a ditch outside behind our pod, to lay a fiber optic cable. It brings us one day closer, and the excitement grows.
I wrote about how yesterday The Tank played a DVD my Taffy donated to the station, called Pete's Dragon. I was really surprised by how many guys back here liked the movie. I mean, I get it...I'm a Disney geek and a kid at heart, but I half expected to get teased and it's been the opposite of that! Someone actually requested that the station play it again...Who would've thought a movie about a dragon and a little boy would have pulled at the hearts of the "worst of the worst?"...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April 10th, 2022
It's a brilliantly bright Sunday, and I'm glad the lockdown is finally over. I think it ended officially on Friday, and while we've yet to have any recreation, at least they're running showers regularly. The Field Minister 'Troop' stopped by yesterday and said he was going to try and bring a movie to B-Pod on Tuesday or Wednesday, so we have that to look forward to next week.
I had a phone call last night with my Taffy! We'd not been able to talk in so long it was a real treat and blessing, and brings a lot of positivity and energy going into the new week - especially as the holidays approach. I'm looking forward to Passover and I'll do my own little Seder in my cell.
This past week we've been watching a Securus crew dig some trenches and lay down some fiber optic cables leading up to our building. It has everyone excited, and while our projected date to receive the tablets is June 1st, most of us are keeping optimistic that we may have them sooner. Securus has been struggling with labor shortage issues, but they seem to now have a couple of large crews which means things will move much faster. When they pushed things back to June, they had a very small crew and they only had 50% left to do on the unit. Now, with a big crew, that will speed things up tremendously.
I listened to a really interesting movie last night called Another Earth and it's difficult to explain, but I know that if it's available on the tablet, I'm watching it again! The score was beautiful...I love great cinematic scores and some of my favorites are from Pete's Dragon, The Last of the Mohicans, Batman 1999, Edward Scissorhands, Interstellar, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, to name but a few...I'd love to write some music for movies one day. Gotta dream big, right?
Here's to hoping this new week is full of great things, a ton of positivity and love...Happy Passover to my Jewish sisters and brothers, and Happy Easter to my Christian friends!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April 12th, 2022
Tuesday...a chaotic
day. We were able to get recreation, but a bunch of guys are really
upset because they've already cut recreation down from about one day
every week, to one day every two weeks. It had been for two hours,
and it's been for two hours since 2004 or so. Well, now, they've told
us we only get one hour and we should, and I quote, “Be happy that
you get that.”
Yes, it's a blessing to
get out of the cell and I'll take one hour over no hours, but there's
no reason to cut our recreation time when there are three officers
working the pod. They do it because they can and no one wants to push
the issue or cause trouble because they don't want to lose tablet
privileges before we even get them. They're already using the tablets
as a carrot on a stick, and we don't even have them yet! Well...not
much we can do about it.
Getting out of the cell
was nice though. There are times when I get so restless and stir
crazy I used to never pace the cell, and over the the past two years
I've started to pace back and forth...back and forth, just to keep my
body moving and working off the stress. Exercise helps too, but
nothing beats going to a larger space and getting out of the confines
of the cell.
I was really lucky to
get outside and have fresh air. A space opened up and I jumped on it
it. It was a bit overcast, but the air...oh geeze...It's not natural
to keep humans inside for long periods of time without fresh air and
clean oxygen. It's no wonder so many guys have health and lung
problems.
I hope they bring a
movie around tomorrow. We were told that was the goal, so we'll see.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
April 17th, 2022
Passover/Easter Sunday...I slept in today until about 7.45am. It was so quiet and peaceful and with my fan blocking out any other noise, it was easy. As I write this they're passing out lunch which is baked chicken, cake (which I can't eat because it's Passover (sad face) beans, and carrots. The piece of chicken I have must be the size of a tyrannosaurus rex leg!
We just watched the movie Dirt. I was surprised the Field Minister actually brought the TVs in on Easter Sunday. He was going to show us a different movie, but there's a Muslim guy from Jordan on my section, and Field Minister 'Troop' told me it had some scenes that were disrespecting Muslims, so decided not to show it. I was happy to hear that from Troop and the fact he didn't want to upset someone of another faith.
I'm in 84 cell, all the way in the corner of my section, and far from the day room. So it was difficult to watch the movie, but I stood there and and watched what I could and from what I could tell, it looked well shot. The movie is about a young black adult who gets arrested for stealing cars, after a high speed chase. One of the cops was impressed by the guy's driving skills and talks to his friend who owns a racing team. The owner agreed to take the guy under his wing to mentor him and keep him out of jail...The young guy goes on to be an awesome dirt road track racer and is redeemed. It was cool. They had an AM transmitter hooked up to the TVs so that we could listen to the movie on our radio, but the sound was a bit garbled. I think that was because the sound on the television was too loud. It was cool though, I mean, never in a thousand years would I have thought I'd have seen a total of 4 movies now on death row. Bring on the tablets! I have 21 years to catch up on...ha ha.
Troop told me that this 12 Building movie treat has been such a huge success in calming guys down, that a Major on another unit wants to start doing it for guys in solitary confinement on his unit. It goes to show that when you treat people with decency and they deserve that treatment, it makes people better all the way around. There's nothing wrong with rewarding good behaviour.
I'm still in the clouds after a fantastic phone call with my Taffy last night. That definitely got me through the rest of the weekend!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April
18th, 2022
I
woke up at 5.20am this morning and hit the ground running. I worked
out, ate the breakfast I put in my hot pot and then had to bird bath
because we didn't have any showers today, which was odd because we
had three officers on the pod all day long.
I've
been a little irritated because it's Passover and I'm supposed to
have a meal without bread (or anything leavened). I've been eating
Matzo in place of that but the kitchen is supposed to give me a
specially prepared tray. For three nights – four tonight –
they've not brought it to me. I'm on the list, and I was told by the
Chaplain I'm on the list and they keep (they – the
officers/kitchen) saying I'm not on the list, yet (and this is what
gets my goat!) guys that aren't Jewish by faith and only want
special privileges, are getting their trays and it's like, “Wait!
How does that work? The real Jewish guy doesn't get his Passover.”
I have no leavened products in my cell. I'm keeping Kosher for
Passover and I'm the one messed over? When I try to explain to these
new officers (who are, like, 20 years old and probably have never
been outside of Livingston) they look at me like I have a third
eyeball growing out of my head.
I
filed a grievance, but by the time it's processed, Passover will be
long over...Sigh...
On
a lighter note, the rest of the Pod was able to watch a movie today.
Troop gave them a choice of Dirt, American Outlaw, or
The Passion of the Christ.
All of the other sections picked out American Outlaw – a
Western about Jesse James. I could hear the movie on my radio and the
further away the transmitter was, the better it sounded. It was okay.
I'm not a big fan of Westerns, but I would have watched it.
The
day has been peaceful though and I'm about to listen to Nathalie
Merchant's Ophelia
album on The Tank. I love Nathalie Merchant so I expect it to be
good. Whether with 10000 Maniacs, or solo, she's never disappointed.
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April
19th, 2022
I
woke up at 5.25am this morning and was going to hit the ground
running and exercise, when they began to run recreation. It was to be
our day outside and I thought, “Great! By the time they get to me
I'll get some sunshine!” But everyone downstairs skipped it which
made me first round. I was a bit disappointed I wouldn't be getting
sunlight, but still happy I'd be getting the fresh air.
It
was wonderful! I jogged for 30 minutes and exercised, and stayed out
until almost 8am. Then I came back in and went straight to the
shower. I had my breakfast in my hotpot, ate that, and set to the
day.
I'm
still not getting my Passover meals which is frustrating. I received
a note from the lady I talked to yesterday and she said,
“There
is no Passover meal list.”
I
almost blew a gasket! If there's no list, how do they know who to
give the meals to?? Some guys are getting meals! They don't pick
names out of a hat and say, “Today were going to send Bill a
Passover meal.” They have to have a list! Look, I may not be the
smartest person on the planet, but I don't need to be treated like an
idiot either.
I
completely understand how some guys go crazy in this place...A human
being can only take so much.
Sigh...Serenity
now!
All
in all, not a bad day...
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April
20th, 2022
As
I write this it's a warm Wednesday morning. I'm starting a bit early
because I've been a little irritated – okay, more than a little
irritated – and I'm flat out disgusted with the way politicians,
and especially a lot of District Attorneys, play politics with a
person's life when it comes to the death penalty. There are few of
them that actually stand on principal and have the back bone to say,
“The system is broken,” ESPECIALLY when it comes to the
application of the Death Penalty.
Two
things happened yesterday that sent my mind racing. The first was an
interview on NPR with the District Attorney of Corpus Christi in
regards to John Henry Ramirez. He first set a date for him, and then,
cancelled the execution date after coming to the conclusion that he
had that authority under Texas State Law, and also deciding to stand
on principal instead of politics. He said that after much 'soul
searching' he realised he is 100% against the death penalty and
doesn't think government should be deciding who gets to live or die.
AMEN! Finally, a DA that can stand on moral conviction. He said he
doesn't care if it hurts him politically; he doesn't believe he
should be saying to gets to live and who doesn't.
Now,
the exact opposite of that is happening in countless other counties
across Texas – especially in Harris County and District Attorney
Kim Ogh....There are numerous, and I mean numerous exhausted capital
murder appeals out of Harris County. Probably close to 50 – give or
take. This means every avenue of appeal afforded to a defendant has
run its course. There is nothing left for them. Some of these men
have been finished for years. What does Kim Ogh do? She cherry picks
particular cases that give her political coverage to say she's 'Tough
on Crime' and wants to bring 'closure' to victims' families by
seeking an execution date for them. This all but proves that the
death penalty and how it's applied is not only cruel, but arbitrary
and capricious. You are a fool if you believe that the Death Penalty
is fair. It's anything but!
Ask
yourself this question: Should a politician have that kind of power
in which they can use a LIFE as a political pawn or tool? The Death
Penalty cannot be applied equally or fairly, so how is it JUSTICE?
How does this not show how broken the system really is?
Well,
it's a fairly peaceful morning. I woke up a little before 6am and did
my normal routine of exercising, and having to bird bath as they
didn't showers today. I'm in a positive and hopeful mood as today is
what I've been calling “CCA Day” and so I pray and try to keep
positive and hopeful for a favorable ruling. Stressful? YEP. But
nothing I can't handle. It'll come when it comes. It could still come
today, who knows? I'll monitor the news and go about the day.
You
know, it's always nice when this place, or a particularly cruel
person, surprises you with an act of kindness. This morning when I
got up for breakfast, we were having eggs, oatmeal, and apple sauce.
Eggs are a rarity so usually almost everyone gets their tray, but
this time round there had been an extra tray on the carrier. Now, I
wouldn't have dared ask the officer passing out the trays because she
has never and I mean NEVER given anyone an extra tray. If I were to
skip breakfast and say, “Just give it to my neighbor” she'd still
say “no” and the tray would get dumped in a slop bucket. She
handed me my tray and I silently said, “goodbye delicious eggs...”
to the lone tray remaining on the carrier. And then...she
unexpectedly reached down, grabbed that tray without even asking if I
wanted it, and put it on my food slot. I looked at it in shock and
before she could change her mind or yank it back from me, I grabbed
it and said, “Thank you.” I couldn't believe it.
I
put the eggs in a bag and then into my hotpot to eat later after I
worked out. An act of kindness can really get the day off on the
right foot.
Well,
on with the day and monitoring the news!
The
day has now come to an end, and another week with no decision from
the CCA. Well, my prayers and thoughts now turn towards the scheduled
execution tomorrow. May it one day end.
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April 22nd, 2022
Congratulations Texas! You killed a 78 year old man who was wheelchair bound, and probably one of the most quiet, passive people on Death Row. That's really something to hang your ten gallon hat on...Sigh...I was so completely and utterly disgusted by yesterday's news coverage of the execution. To have the media put people on their program saying things like,
"This is a long time coming."
Or
"Carl Buntion was a rabid dog...and what do you do with rabid dogs? You put them down!"
Those are direct quotes, people!
What does that say about our society and its lust for blood, vengeance and death? It borders on psychopathy...And people really wonder why the US has the problems it has. No wonder other countries with horrible human rights records laugh at us and scoff when we chastise them on their abuses. Their response?
"Clean up your own house first before you tell us to clean up ours."
Anyways...I'm upset because I don't see how it does society any justice by 'putting down' a 78 year old frail man. Is that really justice?
I wasn't going to listen to the Execution Watch show on KPFT yesterday because they generally upset me and get me into a state of depression. But someone yelled at me to listen because Clinton Young was on. It was good to hear his voice, and I was especially touched when he mentioned my name in his interview. It means a lot. It means a lot to us back here when someone who knows what it's like to be in this situation, knows what an execution day does to our spirit and has been here and lived this experience...Clinton was always one of the few people that treated execution days with the solemnity it deserves...I'm proud of him that he has stood on his promise when he left that no matter where he was in his life, he'd still act as an advocate and voice for us all back here. Many of the guys that have gotten off of death row make all of these promises...but rarely follow through. I get it, and hold no animosity towards them. People just want to get back to their lives and try to forget this place. Clinton has remained true to his words even when he's trying to rebuild his own life...and just as he had given his promise, no matter where I'm at if I should be blessed at another chance at life, I will use my voice to speak up for the guys back here as well. He's inspiring and I'm just really proud.
As we listened to him, we were laughing because he was getting fired up and I can hear him smacking his hand on the counter, and I said, "Yep...there he is!" I could see his mannerisms and body language in my mind's eye. It made me smile.
Entering into the weekend, I'm not sure what tasks I'll take on...No recreation and the same ol', same ol'...I'll figure something out.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April 24th, 2022
A quiet Sunday...I'm trying to find my way through the day doing chores and catching up on odds and ends. Weekends of late have been incredibly boring. It's hard to believe that we're entering into the last week of the month...April has really shot by!
The news has been covering the upcoming execution of Melissa Lucio, and I think it'll be a test of both the clemency's ability to discern those who truly deserve it, and if recommended, the heart of Greg Abbott, our Governor. He's the worst kind of politician so I am thinking he'll not look at it from a point of humanity, but whether or not it's politically expedient (another reason why the DP needs to go) for him. I guess we'll know within the next few days.
That's really all there is this weekend.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
April 25th, 2022
Today is worth celebrating...I heard of Melissa Lucio's stay granted by the CCA and I smiled and did a big fist pump! Some of my attorneys worked on her case so I know they're celebrating as well, and I knew she was in very good hands. I'm really happy that she got a stay because I had zero faith in Greg Abbott doing the right thing. I have one concern though...It's easy to get complacent and feel like the fight is over. It's not. There are a hundred other Melissas all throughout the country, and there's no better time than now to be vocal either on behalf of those struggling for their lives, or against the death penalty as a whole. Surprisingly, more and more conservative politicians are seeing the flaws, or understand that the costs are too steep to continue.
Going forward in the fight, we must be educated on the facts of each case, and also polite, respectful, and welcoming to all in the fight, regardless of any of our differences.
Anyway, it's been a relatively quiet and peaceful day.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 1st, 2022
Wow...It's already May,
and a new week. Time is flying by even if it seems, at times, that
it's trickling through a water spout that won't stop dripping.
Drip...Drip...Drip...It's been a really weird week, and especially
the last couple of days. The news of Melissa Lucio's stay was
wonderful, and yet, the machinery of death keeps moving. It doesn't
stop, even when there's been a lull. Several guys are either facing
an execution date at any time, while others are in the pipeline just
waiting for their Judges to sign the order. Don't fool yourself into
thinking Texas is easing up. Opinions are changing and the majority
of people are turning against the idea of executing someone, but
there are still politicians out there that see the death penalty as a
means to an end to further their own political careers...Don't forget
that.
So, Friday night I was
a nervous wreck and an emotional mess when I received the news that
my Taffy had a bad accident, landing in hospital, and needed surgery.
I knew I'd have the opportunity to call on Saturday night, but those
things can turn screwy on a dime, and my mind was all over the place.
The day was just dragging on and then the Field Minister 'Troop' and
a new Life Coach – a cool guy named Jimmy – came in to show us a
movie. It was James Bond: Quantum of Solace...but I couldn't really
focus on it. I was watching it and it looked cool, but my mind was on
Taffy. I'll have to watch it again on the tablet whenever it gets
here.
Anyways, the day
DRIPPED DRIPPED DRIPPED by and finally the evening arrived and phone
calls started. My friend downstairs knew I was a nervous wreck, and
so he asked the guard doing the calls to start upstairs up at my
cell, and the guard did come upstairs first...But then he started the
other way. I figured I'd have my call around 6.40pm. He starts the
calls and then the battery dies! I was like, “WHY IS THIS
HAPPENING??? ARRGGHHHHH!!” So, he has to stop and put the phone in
the charging cradle for an hour, and then he comes back upstairs,
starts the calls again, and finally gets to me...We make the call and
it doesn't go through the first time. My heart is thumping and I'm
thinking, “Please pick up! Please pick up!” The second call was
made and it went through flawlessly, thank G-d!!. It was a wonderful
call, and thankfully she's doing okay...A little bashed up, but okay.
Actually, she was quite chipper, and that warmed my heart, and
nothing beats hearing and saying, “I love you” in real time. I
could get to sleep peacefully.
I have some great
friends back here and as soon as I finished the call they were asking
if everything was all good and if they could do anything, which was
really kind. Yeah, “the worst of the worst” making sure that my
girl and I were okay...really awful people, huh?
So, it's a new month, a
new week, and hopefully the countdown for the tablets has officially
begun! TWO months ago it was supposed to be at the end of April, then
it was pushed back to the 1st of June. On Friday, The Tank
DJ, Megamind, said there had been a setback for some kind of special
drill bit that was on order, which – and I'm not joking – brought
on a collective groan across the pod! I even said out loud,
“Get in your dang
truck and go get it at Lowes or Home Depot!!!”
This must be some rare
diamond tipped drill bit made out of vibranium (shout out to
Wakanda!) that you can't pick up at any hardware store. I don't think
many of us can take anymore setbacks with this...I don't even care
about being able to listen to music or watch movies...I just want to
be in real time with Taffy and my friends. Mail takes weeks now, and
five minute phone calls aren't a guarantee...Plus, we never get out
of our cells anymore either, so being able to actually know things in
real time, instead of these crazy weird interdimensional time
loops...I can't take it anymore!! Ha ha.
Here's to hoping May is
a great month, and a great week is on the way. I'm entering into the
week and month full of positivity and light!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
May 2nd, 2022
I woke up this morning feeling pretty positive about the day and the week ahead. I noticed for the past few days that we've had showers every day, and a full staff, and so I asked one of the guards why, if it appears that we have enough people to return things to normal, like getting recreation every day, why aren't we? He told me that, yes, they have enough officers to run the building as it used to be run. They've got a bunch of new guards and each pod has had three officers, but the reason why they're not doing rec is because the Ranking Officers have told them that they don't want to 'overwork' the new officers in fear of running them off and having them all quit. He said,
“Halprin...I'm just being honest with you. You guys will probably never receive recreation like you used to. Not with the supervisors we have. The way that some of the officers feel – not all, but some – is that you guys are getting movies every couple of weeks, and you'll have your tablets, and your time will be occupied, and they feel that's enough for you.”
I was like,
“I'd take getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air over movies any day. The tablet is cool, but it can't replace those things. It can't replace getting out and stretching your legs, and getting proper exercise. As it stands, we're only getting one hour of rec, once a week! And we have to practically beg to get outside.”
He told me that it's just the way things are now...But it shouldn't be! I don't know any place or business that says,
“Hey...don't work too hard. We don't want you to quit.”
What the heck, man?
Anyways...So, outside of that it would appear that there's some positive news concerning the tablets that would show that things are moving in the right direction. Months ago, when TDCJ had announced that there would be a law library app on the tablet, so that inmates would no longer need to go to the physical library to check out case law etc, they would be downsizing the department. It required several officers to be in there to watch inmates, but to also bring Death Row/Ad Seg any material they needed to check out. They weren't going to be needed and were told they'd be shifted back out to other areas of the unit where they're needed, and replaced by civilian clerks...Well, they've done that now. They're still operating as they have been, but are already starting to phase out the guards. Once everyone has their tablet, the only things that the civilian clerks will do is send out documents that need to be signed or notorised...That's a good sign! I hope things are moving quicker than we think. If they weren't, I don't think they'd have already started to re-organise the law library.
Here's hoping, and so looking forward to the tablets!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 3rd, 2022
Today started off on
track. It's Tuesday, and our recreation day, so I knew it would be a
bit chaotic, but things were running smoothly. I made it to rec at
about 10.30am, and I figured I'd be out there about an hour, so I did
some exercises and chatted with a few of the guys on my section.
That's about when the chaos bomb exploded. I should have expected
it...ha ha.
I didn't mind being out
at rec until almost 1pm...that was fine. We're so recreation deprived
that it wouldn't matter if I was trapped out there for 12 hours! Any
time out of the cell is a blessing...But it was coming at the cost of
others' misery, and eventually mine when this real jerk of a guard
started riling everyone up and taking his time by doing every little
thing “by the book.” I mean, the dude wanted guys to lift up
their nutsacks so he could have a looksie and see if anyone was
hiding anything. This created tension and a slew of homophobic slurs
were hurled every which way at the guy. But more than anything else,
it slowed things down to the pace of a snail. When my recreation was
finished, the female officer asked if I wanted to go straight to the
shower, which I did, but then I sort of regretted it because I was
trapped in there for an hour...It's okay to be out in the day room
for a considerable amount of time (although there has been times when
that has its limitations...) but the shower is a whole other ball
game! A small closet-like hot box with almost no air flow...Ugh...But
hey, I made it out and back to my cell alive, so I'll take it.
The day did end on a
remarkable note though....I was overwhelmed and touched very much.
Last week Carl Buntion was executed, and somehow he had heard that
I've been having problems with my typewriter. So he asked the
property officer if it would be okay to let me get what was needed to
properly fix my typewriter (his was a bit banged up as well, and on
its last legs) as well as give me all of his remaining ribbons and
correction tape, extra paper etc. I was shocked when the property
lady came to my door and explained everything, saying,
“Look, I'll give you
an hour to get what you need to get to fix your typewriter and give
you this other stuff he left for you. He said he was doing it because
you have always helped others in need, and some time ago you helped
him get some medical attention he needed. This is his way of saying
'thanks'.”
I was floored! I knew
exactly what I needed to fix, got the part out quickly, fixed my
typewriter, and now it's purring like a kitten. Thank you, CB...
Because I've been on
death watch before, and I detest what I call “vulturing”, I'd
have never asked for anything from anyone over there. I don't know
who told CB that I was having typewriter trouble, but I'm touched
that CB thought of me. I'll remember his kindness for the rest of my
life.
What a great way to end
the day!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace!
May 5th, 2022
Not a bad day at all despite being trapped in the cell all day long. I woke up, went to the shower, and started the day with a bit of pep. Something I've been doing almost every day now is check my AM on the radio because when they show movies to the various pods, they've added a low powered AM transmitter to the equipment so that we can better hear the movies in our cells. I was excited when I could hear a movie playing and wondered if they'd make it to our section. I called out to my friend, Mark, and said,
“Hey, you want to knock out a game of Scrabble just in case they bring the TVs in?”
We normally play in the afternoon, but he said, “yeah” and so we began our game.
Just as we finished, the TVs came rolling in and it was a Field Minister, Gomez, AKA Shredder, because the dude can play the guitar really well. He also had one of the new life coaches with him, Little Eddie, to show him the ropes. They started to set up the equipment, but where my cell is and because the length of the TV cord is really short, they really can't move it much to where I can see it. I asked if they could back it up just a little bit more and it wasn't working, so Gomez told Little Eddie,
“Hey, run down the property officer's room and see if she'll let us get an extension cord of some kind.”
Eddie is new and he said,
“I can do that?”
Gomez laughed and said,
“Yeah, you're a life coach now. You can move around without permission.”
He left, was gone for about ten minutes, and came back with a power cord. They hooked it up and said,
“Tell us where to move the TV.”
When it was where both my neighbour and I could see it, we let them know, and what a difference!
The movie was Pacific Rim: Uprising, and while the new plot was a bit silly, HOLY MOLY the special effects and computer graphics were NUTS! There was a couple of times I was dizzy and nauseous. The way they do the camera work these days...my brain isn't used to it. The camera doesn't do slow pans. Things spin around 360 degrees, they jump, go down, around, jump cuts, smash cuts...all very cool, but for a guy that hasn't seen a movie in forever...it was a bit much. Even a couple of guys down the run said they felt a bit queasy at times. Long after the movie, I felt like I was still moving, like you would after a long car ride.
Something else that made the day good was later on the property officer came through and gave us a Securus update. Apparently 12 building is just about finished being wired up! We thought that they'd have to put wifi routers on each section, but from the way it was explained, they're setting things up on the outside of the building, turning the entire building into a hot spot. Often, it's hard to distinguish the facts from the rumors...these guys back here make things up, sometimes. Some do it out of boredom, some because they think it's funny, and others out of negativity. But I'm trusting the property officer. Hopefully, we'll hear more tomorrow. Who knows, we might just hit that June 1st target after all! We'll see...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 6th, 2022
What a day...It was pretty slow, but I did get out of my cell for a legal call that lasted an hour and a half. It was really good to chat with a couple of people from my team, and to congratulate them on a recent win with another client. The call was only supposed to last about 30 minutes, but we were afforded an extra hour which was awesome. I have such wonderful people behind me.
I was shocked that no officer was telling me to hang up the phone. People kept walking past me, looking at me kicked back on a stool, legs on the counter, like I was cool as can be, and kept walking on.
I'll tell you one thing 12 building isn't – short staffed! I counted more than 20 officers!
Well, here's to hoping for better days...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 8th, 2022
A very peaceful, but hot Sunday! Geeze, if it's this hot in May, I don't even want to imagine what July or August is going to feel like. It's been a great day for music because for most of the day the alternative college rock station, out of Austin – 101X – has been coming in crystal clear, and I've been hearing bands and music I've never heard before...It only reminds me of HOW BADLY CORPORATE MUSIC SUCKS!!! I've been writing down band after band so I can explore them even more WHENEVER we receive our tablets. There's so much great music out there to be discovered, and I'm really liking this band called, Wetleg...They're really cool. It has me so excited and hopeful for music. Good tunes still exist!
Speaking of the tablets...Ugh...the rumor mill is out of control around here and it's not difficult to discern fact from fiction. You can ask two guards the same question and get completely different answers. Some are saying we're close. Some are saying it won't be until July, and some say we'll have the phone app, others say we won't. Some want us to have the tablet, some don't. Some think it'll be a solution for recreation, others don't care one way or the other. Then...when you tell this information to deprived inmates all of that gets turned up to ELEVEN! Guys can be worse than clucking hens in a hen house. Nuts! We really just don't have good solid information. Heck, some of the rumors have gotten so out of control that people said,
“Oh, they've got the tablets stored in the Major's office! I saw the boxes with my own eyes.”
Not true....Actually, those boxes were files (ha ha). It's just crazy.
I'll say this...I've never seen such a poorly run outfit like Securus...You'd think they'd have it together, but they are the most rinky dinky tech company I've ever seen! Let me put it like this: when they installed the camera system on the unit – we're talking about MILES of conduit, wiring, several cameras, drilling, mounting, installing servers and monitors...They did it in MONTHS. It's going on half a year now with what Securus has to do and it's like, “WHEN WILL THEY FINISH?”
I should've known this though. When I was in Dallas, I watched much of the same with the Securus people in the jail. It was like watching the minions bouncing around.
On a positive note, we surprisingly had recreation yesterday and our 'new' rec schedule is going to be Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday. I'll take it. I'm going to adjust my exercising on those days to do my cardio, and hopefully on one of them I can at least get outside and get some sunshine. I almost had a chance to get out and I should have asked. But my friend, Mark, got to the guards first and he took the opening. He came in looking like a deep boiled lobster, and said,
“Man...I think I got enough vitamin D for the rest of the year!”
Anyways...Blessings and positivity for the week, and hopefully good will happen.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 10th, 2022
Yesterday was pure unadulterated madness. At first, everyone was happy that recreation was going to return to normal. We have a new Major – a guy that started on Death Row as an officer over 20 years ago – and he could be a bit of a hard ass, but he was always fair. If you were in the right he'd consider that, and never went out of his way to screw people over. And from the sounds of it, now that he's our Major, he's on board with a lot of the positive changes going on with 12 Building.
His first act of order was to tell three officers that they weren't going to sit around all day and do nothing. If they have the man power they're going to run recreation. So, while we will only receive one hour a day, we should receive at least two days outside and three days inside.
So. at first, things were running smoothly, but we had a new officer working – one that had been starting trouble last week. Around 9am he was telling another inmate the routine of 'spread your butt cheeks, lift your nuts, etc' which, I mean...look, if you're suspected of trying to hide something up your rump, whatever...but if you're going to recreation – a place where people can just pass you contraband or a weapon anyways, it's ridiculous to go to the that extreme. Of course, some guys, when asked to spread their butt cheeks, feel like their manhood is being checked out and then the homophobic slurs fly at the officer. Most officers can be professional and ignore it – it's prison after all, but this new guy took it personally and told a black inmate,
“Shut your mouth boy or I'll put you down like a dog.”
Well...no need to explain the racial connotations of that. Quite rightly, it angered other black inmates and lead to a use of force in which the jerk of a guard slammed a guy and then tried to do a 'George Floyd' on him. Rank and guards came running in from everywhere!! I've not seen that many people in a long, long time. For that matter, we've not witnessed a use of force in quite some time.
They took the guard out (we've since learned that he is in a lot of trouble for how things were handled, and has been removed from 12 Building) and put the dude back in his cell. Later on they sent him to discipline, even though many officers spoke up for him. Just a messed up situation all the way round.
I finally made it outside a little after 11am and thinking I'd only be outside for an hour, I didn't properly prepare myself to be cooked like a Thanksgiving turkey. I played a little basketball and then walked around and it turned into three whole hours!!! I was baked....Deep fried! I think I had more sun in three hours than I have since the beginning of the pandemic. I'm beet red as I type this...I've been complaining about being pasty white...well no more!
Second shift came on – well, one officer came on and no one else. We didn't have our mail until 5am the following morning which is crazy. From what we heard only six Officers and a couple of sergeants came to work. That's crazy in and out of itself. They just hired a bunch of people for night shift and they've already quit!
I learned that the course I signed up for begins next Monday, and I'm looking forward to it. I wonder if I'll be able to complete it, but now that Death Row is able to participate in several programs, I'd like to take advantage of the opportunity.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 11th, 2020
The 'every day' recreation statement didn't last very long. I woke up at 5.30am, ready to get the day started, planning my schedule around getting out of my cell for a bit, when a guard came by for a security check. He said they were short staffed today and I asked,
“Seriously? There was like 6 officers working the pod yesterday.”
He said, “Look, these new officers and OJTs [on the job trainees] are complaining about being on their feet all day. I think they're treating them like babies, but it's not my call. Y'all will have your tablets soon anyways.”
“It's a job!” I said, frustrated. “And besides, the tablets won't be here until September!”
The guard looked at me, shrugged his shoulders, and walked off. “Apathy” - Pee Wee Herman's word of the day! Arrrrgggghhhh!!!!
What can you do? I refuse to let it spoil the day and so I started exercising and just got on with it. It's too easy to let the frustration – even anger – consume you. It's out of my control, but as my Taffy says,
“Don't worry about what you can't control, and focus on what you CAN.”
That's a good philosophy...I choose positivity.
It's CCA day so I'm a little stressed, but I say my prayers, do my little mantras, and monitor the news. We'll see what happens. I started this entry a bit early in the morning, well, it's later now and the CCA sort of ruled! On one hand I'm releived that it wasn't a denial, on the other hand, it appears this is going to drag out for the foreseeable future...The CCA says that it wants a new hearing with witnesses in the court room. Why? Who knows? It won't change a single thing unless they [the CCA] is going to then take the 'live' testimony and say it's not credible. But it IS credible! They ARE credible! Why can't they just do what's right? I mean, honestly, it's wasting time. The facts are irrefutable...Sigh...Who knows how long this will take to hash out.
Oh well...I'll just keep trucking and set myself up for success and bettering myself.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 16th, 2022
It's been a blistering hot Monday and we're still on this little lockdown because of an escape that happened last week. Some guys have been giving me a hard time by saying,
“See...this is how it felt to us when YOU escaped. Not fun, is it?”
No...not it isn't, and believe me, if I could go back in time and change things, I would! I know they're just doing it in jest, but it still makes me think how a stupid act can affect so many lives. I recognise that and I do have a ton of remorse for my past stupidity.
We at least had showers today. I had a full night of sleep and woke up at 5.20am to get the day on the move, began my work out, and was only able to to do half of it before I went to the shower. I've been doing exercises throughout the day to make up for the rest. For the most part, though, I've been getting things together in case I have to return to Dallas for another summer. I don't mind having to go back, and outside of the noise last year in the jail, it was a pleasant time. Everyone was kind, I enjoyed being able to chat with some friends, and my Taffy, and see down town Dallas when I went to the gym. I'd love to return to another trip and the only thing that would hold me back is being enrolled in a couple of programs.
They've got everything shut down right now and no visits, no legal calls or visits, and right now I just want to talk to my attorneys. I mean, how much evidence do you need that my trial judge was biased? We've got newspaper articles, his own words on record admitting he had a trust fund for his children and they could only receive the money if they married white, straight Christians....We have affidavits, text messages, letters...I mean what on earth does the CCA want? I do take comfort that it wasn't a denial but it still feels like a big waste of time. The Judge gave her recommendation...she gave her recommendation based on the FACTS...So, who knows what's going on? I just want to keep calm and keep patient and have hope and faith.
I know that if I do return to Dallas anytime soon, information will be posted and kept up to date here on this website...Thank G-d I have Taffy to keep everything up to date, and to keep people informed with the accurate facts, and not the gossip mill. Some people actually thought I had a new trial already, which I don't...So, to know what's really going on, you'll find 100% reliable news right here.
My mind is all over the place with regard to the mass shootings...I could rant on and on about how easy it is to get guns and how a lot of republican states make it very easy for people to have guns...No wonder violence is on the rise. I find it ironic that people will say,
“Gun owners are law abiding citizens”
Yeah...until they're not, and they shoot up a church, a school, a grocery store...
Anyways, I'm going to keep hope alive and have a heart full of peace and love.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 19th, 2022
Thursday...Still in this weird little security lockdown. I've been doing my best to keep busy, but sometimes being stuck in a cell 24/7 produces a creative stagnation, but I'll get past it. One thing I do know is that it's HOT! The AC has been acting funky, but I don't know if it's just an old system or that there seems to be some free world people outside of the building working on things...one minute the AC is perfect, and the next it's blasting out hot air.
So, something cool that has recently happened at the prison radio station – The Tank – is that they've had someone donate a stereo transmitter. For over two years now the station has been broadcasting in mono, and while it has been awesome to listen to movies and music we wouldn't normally get to hear, having the music in mono for an audiophile like myself is a slight 'irritant', but only because I love hearing music as it's intended to be listened to. I love hearing all of the instruments, the effects of moving certain sounds from the left channel to the right channel...and when I'd tell guys,
“This song is awesome, but you really need to hear it in stereo...that guitar doesn't sound as jangly as it sounds in mono.”
I'd get eye rolls and responses,
“I can't tell the difference.”
Well, the other day when I was listening to the movie, Elysium, I noticed the sound was fuller and the sound effects were full of life. I thought,
“Did they do it? Is the station broadcasting in stereo?”
When the movie ended and some music came on, I knew without a doubt and I was jumping up and down with excitement! Hearing deep cuts of some favourite music as it was intended to be heard was amazing. I quickly wrote a note to the DJ, dropped it in the mail, and sure enough later that next afternoon, he came over the airwaves and said,
“Yes, Randy...we are in stereo. The clouds have parted and prayers were answered.”
So, whoever donated that piece of equipment: THANK YOU!
Hearing these movies in stereo is so cool because besides the amazing sound effects, I'm a big fan of movie scores. To hear the full orchestral compositions in the movie as it was intended to be heard gives it additional flavor. I can't wait to hear some Cure in stereo. I've only caught one song – Catch – so far, but I want to hear a song that has a lot going on musically...something like, Pictures of You, or Plain Song.
Okay...geek out over! All else is okay for today. I'm getting through it.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 20th, 2022
Friday...I'm wondering
if things are opening back up and the lockdown is over? I'm starting
today's entry early in the morning so I suppose I will know if we
receive a hot meal...
I started my day off on
a positive note and heard a really good Flaming Lips album that I've
never heard before. Flaming Lips are one of those bands that takes me
back to the summer of 1995. The song She Don't Use Jelly was
all over alternative radio (it still holds up in my opinion) and that
summer at the school I went to, one of my friends, Daniel, played the
album incessantly. When I was kicked out of school that summer, some
of my friends gave me parting gifts, and Daniel gave me his CD which
meant a lot to me. I later learned he committed suicide which made me
really sad to hear, but I remember him going through a lot in those
days. His father had died two years previously, his mother passed
away when he was a child, and he was practically being raised by his
older brother who was a doctor. You could see the sadness in Daniel's
eyes, and he was always welcome as a friend, but in your teens you
miss the 'tells'...I guess the sad irony in all of that was he was
hiding his suicidal thoughts whilst the school was interpreting my
isolation and sadness (which was more to do with being misunderstood,
trying to find myself, and typical teenage angst) as 'suicidal' when
I hadn't even considered it, while the person that really needed help
and intervention was Daniel. May his soul be at peace...
So, I worked out to
that album and I heard an amazing cover of Louis Armstrong's What
a Wonderful World. If you're into alternative music, definitely
check out The Flaming Lips' cover of that song. It blew me away. You
know when a song stops you in your tracks and you stop everything
you're doing to listen to it? It was that good!
Well, it looks like
we're not getting a hot meal today which sucks, but who knows...maybe
tomorrow?
Here's to hoping for a
good weekend!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
May 22nd, 2022
I was in the shower
this morning and I had a thought pop up – I'll leave it open ended
and up for interpretation, but offer it here...I was wondering why
there are certain segments of the population that are overly
concerned about where a person's soul is going to end up, but they're
not all that concerned about systemic racism, the broken health care
system (or even the idea of universal health care) the foster care
system, the infrastructure and various other social programs and
systems that desperately need attention, because hey...we ain't dead
yet so why not try and figure out a fix? But...heaven forbid we pass
away and face eternal damnation. It's confusing...Why are you worried
about the next person's soul, but not about the walls falling down
around you in the present?
Anywho...it's Sunday
and we're having a brief reprieve from the heat wave due to a lovely
storm that's passing through. It's been a good weekend. On Friday
night I listened to the five hour Alternative show that I produced. I
was really happy and grateful for the opportunity and it seems to
have gone over pretty well. I was up until 3.30am listening to it,
and then fell asleep and got back up at around 7.30am, and muddled
through the day. Field Minister Troop was on the pod showing A
section the movie, The Incredible Hulk
and I talked to him about the possibility of me returning to Dallas
and the classes I'm enrolled in. I wanted to know if I'd lose my
place in all of that and he said,
“Look,
if you've started before you leave, you'll be safe. But if you leave
before the classes begin, we're going to have to give the spot to
someone else.”
I
was a bit disappointed by that, but if it does happen, at least it's
on record that I'm doing all I can to better myself – and I'll just
re-enrol.
I
was able to phone Taffy last night which has my heart in the clouds,
and I crashed out shortly after that. I'm looking forward to a new
week...I can't believe this month is already close to being done!
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 26th, 2022
Questions on my mind: How can you be pro-life if you believe in unregulated guns? How can you be pro-life if you believe in the death penalty? How can you be pro-life if you're for slashing social programs that feed the hungry or help those in poverty? How can you be pro-life if you take from the foster care system to build a border unit?
The list of questions goes on and on...
I'm also confused about how some conservative politicians will fight tooth and nail to ban books in libraries, try to restrict or deny trans/homosexual rights, deny women autonomy over their own bodies...and the list again goes on and on...But sensible gun control seems to be a line that cannot be crossed? Oh, no problem in restricting your constitutional freedom of speech for banning books, but heaven forbid you try to save lives by banning assault rifles or other 'weapons of war'?
I also have a question to fundamentalists...I went to a fundamental Baptist Boarding school where they had a list of what they deemed 'Satanic' which was about 6 feet long. Some of the 'Satanic' items were, and I'm not joking: The Smurfs, Guess Jeans (something to do with an upside down triangle with a question mark in it), Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath, The Cure (yes, my beloved Cure, and all because they wore make-up), Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', ACDC, yoga/meditational material, Dungeons and Dragons, 'Magic: The Gathering', and the list went on and on.
I've since heard on a fundamentalist radio station – AFR – that Harry Potter is Satanic, as well as Pokemon, vaccines, social programs, and lots more.
Do you know what is not EVER mentioned as Satanic? Guns. Something that can kill dozens of people in a matter of seconds. As far as I know, no one has ever been killed by a Harry Potter book. Maybe I'm wrong...I guess it's possible if one gets hit on the head hard enough.
Forgive me for my bluntness here...but what the f*** is wrong with people? Why is it okay for an 18 year old to get an assault rifle and body armour days after his birthday, and then kill 19 children? Beto O'Rourke was right to interrupt Greg Abbot's press meeting. Finally someone had the balls to tell the truth.
I'm still so angry I can't get my thoughts straight...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
May 30th, 2022
Memorial Day
weekend...27 years ago I made an impulsive and very foolish decision
to leave home, not necessarily run away, but leave to spend my school
summer break with my girlfriend at the time, and this rash choice set
off a chain of events that have ultimately lead me to here and
now...I've said it often, but it's weird when you can pin point one
EXACT point in time that forever alters your destiny. Sure, there
were opportunities missed to course correct, but had I just gotten in
that damn Suburban with my dad and gone grocery shopping, letting
bygones be bygones...I can say with absolute certainty that I
wouldn't be sitting in a cell right now, fighting for my life.
It's been a relatively
boring weekend...I've listened to some good movies and on Friday we
were fortunate enough to get a double feature when Field Minister
Troop brought in the TVs and we watched The Fast and the Furious
as well as The Incredible Hulk. The first one was donated by a
kind person from Poland, and the other was donated by the loved one
of another guy back here...Thank you!
I encourage people to
help both the prison radio station, The Tank, as well as 12 Building
as a whole (both Ad-Seg and Death Row get to watch movies every
couple of weeks as an offset to the lack of recreation). Keep in mind
that movies must be 13 or under, and it must come from a legitimate
store. You can donate both music and DVDs to:
Chaplain Department
C/O Chaplain Martin
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston
TX 77351
Anyways, I was
surprised at how decent Fast and Furious was...yeah, it's a
bit corney and cliched at times, but the car scenes and chases were
pretty cool. For the longest time I hadn't really understood WHY that
franchise was so popular, but I have to admit that the action was
pretty cool. The Incredible Hulk wasn't too bad, but the CGI
looked really cheesy and fake at times and I don't really like how
they made the Hulk look. I've seen pictures of the Mark Ruffalo
'Hulk' and it looks like they ironed out the kinks in that.
I had the fright of my
life this weekend...I'd been laying down, treading a book, when out
of the corner of my eye I noticed something scurry under my door. I
jumped up and said, “What the...?” and noticed there was a
cockroach the size of a field mouse headed my way! I let out a stream
of profanities that would make a sailor blush, throwing a shoe at it.
The cockroach sensed it and did a matrix movie and ran under my bed.
My heart pounded and I shuddered at the thought of having to battle
with this...this thing. But here's the thing – it vanished! No way
can something that big just disappear, I thought, when all of a
sudden it popped back up at the side of my bed and dashed off. I
screamed like a little girl, grabbed my shoe and chucked it at
it...It spun out of the way and stopped in its place. I stared at it,
and it stared back, moving its antennae around wildly.
“Come on you ugly son
of a b****,” I whispered, inching closer to it. “Me and you
mutant...Me and you...”
It took off straight at
me! I swung my shoe in a wild arch, missing it as it shot up the wall
and froze again, wiggling its antenna in a taunting manner. I swung
again, and hit it! It dropped to the ground, stunned, and still
alive! Then, it took off again after a second or two, and I let out a
piercing scream all but certain I was about to meet my end....I'd
made this beast angry! I threw my shoe at it again, knocking it back,
and to my elation it ran off in the other direction and right back
out the door.
“That's right,” I
crowed. “Go terrorise someone else!”
I hope this thing
doesn't come back...It was really creepy looking.
And that was pretty
much my weekend.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
June 1st, 2022
Yesterday was a really
nice, stress free, day. We had an 'A' team of officers working and
they ran recreation and there was no chaos at all. I was really
fortunate to get outside and play about 20 games of basketball plus
one over time game...Sadly I lost by a few points and I'm not up to
par like I want to be, plus the guy I was playing was younger than
me...not an excuse, but hey, it's hard to keep up with the youngsters
when you're almost 45 years old! That being said, if we can keep
getting out more regularly, and I can play more ball, I'm going to
whoop that youngster's butt.
The rest of the day was
peaceful and I was eagerly awaiting the beginning of a new
month...Until I woke up to a day of complete and utter madness...I
was out of bed at 6am on the dot, had my cup of go go juice and
started my exercises when something happened on the next section. The
officers working the pod ran out and then ten minutes later the use
of force team came marching in.
On our section we have
a 70 year old man with COPD, and if they end up using gas on someone
he cannot be anywhere near it because he will literally suffocate. We
could see the ranking officers, a nurse standing outside of the
section next door, and so we began to yell,
“Hey! You can't gas
anyone yet! Aranda has COPD! You need to get him out of the area!
HEY!!”
They looked over at us,
then went back to watching the unfolding situation on E-section. They
were ignoring us! That's when I just started to yell at the top of my
lungs, “Medical emergency! Medical emergency! Help! Medical
emergency!” The other guys around me began the same chant and
that's when an officer ran into the section to see what was going on.
Someone yelled out,
“Aranda has COPD! Get
him out of here!”
The guy ran up to his
cell and said,
“Shit! I didn't think
about that...”
Then he rolled the door
and ushered Aranda outside as quickly as possible, and just in time
too because they unleashed the can of gas on the guy next door and
let me tell you, even being at a fair distance away from that area,
we were coughing and hacking and sneezing – they gassed the dude
twice!
When they finally got
him out of the cell, they were supposed to turn on the surge vents
that suck the gas out of the area, but it wasn't working so it
settled on us like a thick fog and I was sneezing like crazy. After
about an hour the gas dissipated and things slowly went back to
normal. It was not the way I expected to start the day.
I was hoping that
because there's no recreation, there would be a movie, but it doesn't
look like the Field Minister is going to be coming by, but that's
okay. I've been catching up on some things, and trying to remain
positive and keep busy. Hopefully we'll have some recreation tomorrow
and if we do, I'm definitely trying to get outside.
For anyone reading this
who has loved ones on Texas death row, we've been told 100%
absolutely that we'll have the phone app on the tablets. However, and
this is very important, if you're registered to talk to your friend
or loved one, when we have the tablets and can make calls, you CANNOT
pass the phone off to someone else at all. Nor can you try to use
speaker phone or make a three way call. If you do, you run the risk
of being removed from the phone call list, and the person you call
will receive a disciplinary case, so definitely be mindful of that. I
get it...TDCJ is trying to assure the general public that the tablets
and phone system are being handled in a way that is safe and secure
for everyone. Don't be a fool and do something dumb because you are
only going to hurt you and your loved on in the long run. These
tablets will be a gift...a true blessing, and a game changer for all
of us. To be in real time with the people you care about is something
I have hoped for and prayed for for years, as most of us have. We
shouldn't take it for granted or abuse it.
And that's my public
service announcement (ha ha).
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
June 5th, 2022
I wasn't expecting the
guards to run recreation today, but they are...Sadly, it's the
laziest crew we could have and it's going to be a long, chaotic, and
stressful day.
I was able to get
outside yesterday for a few hours which was nice. I took a chill
towel out with me to cover my head because the last time I was
outside I was cooked like a lobster. I did get a little red, but
nothing like the last time. I just want some color to my skin because
with the way things have been for several years, I never could get
any sunshine. I've been a bit more fortunate so far, and not being
pasty white is nice for a change.
There's a rumor going
around that Death Row (those who qualify, which probably excludes me
because of the stupid escape 21 years ago) has gotten approval to
allow some inmates to come out and clean their own pods/sections. So,
I guess, in a way, they'll have a job. This would (IF TRUE) cut out
the trustees that come in and do a half-ass job of cleaning and I
think would allow for a much cleaner environment where we live
because we'll take better care of our living spaces and keep the pod
much cleaner. I think this would be really great and a step in the
right direction. I would love to get out and clean if they'd let me,
I just don't think it'll happen for certain people though. We'll see
how and if it pans out.
The field minister said
he'd probably be around on Wednesday to bring a movie. With having
recreation every other day now, it's been more difficult for them to
get around because they have to set up the TVs in the day room. If
there's someone at recreation then he can't do it. Wednesday is our
Pod's 'off day' so that'll probably be when he comes. He's working
his way through the Fast and the Furious movies...Some
sections have already seen parts one and two but our section has only
seen part one so far.
That's been about it
for the past couple of days...
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
June 8th, 2022
It's been a wild couple
of days...On one side, I'm grateful that for now, the Major over 12
Building wants us to have more recreation. They've upped recreation
time back to 2 hours on the days we get out. On the flip side, these
officers that are working are brand spanking new and they've never
had to do recreation. It leads to chaos and upheaval. I'd been trying
to get outside as much as possible and the guards are cool about it,
but they leave me 'open', meaning they don't schedule me at all until
the outside rec yard spot opens up, which is fine, except that when
they take all day to do rec and have to stop at 5pm, it means that
some of us will get screwed out of rec. I've been lucky that I've not
been messed over, but geeze, the stress!
It's not even the new
officer's fault, per se, because they're not trained properly and
they've never had to run recreation before. The responsibility falls
on the shoulders of their supervisors for throwing inexperienced
workers onto a pod without an experienced officer to help guide them
along. The chaos enters into the mix because they lose their patience
and we lose our patience and then people get to screaming and cussing
one another out and...a lot of it could be avoided with supervisors
that did THEIR jobs and actually helped these new officers. Geeze, no
wonder they never last long and quit within weeks.
We were eagerly waiting
for a movie today and by 1pm it was starting to look like it wasn't
coming. One of the field ministers stopped by and I was talking to
him and he said that Troop was taking a day off and I said,
“Well that sucks.”
“Why, what's up?”
He asked.
“Troop said we'd get
a movie today. I guess there's hope for Friday or Sunday...”
Solley looked at his
watch, looked at me and then said,
“You know...I've got
time to show y'all a movie. I'm going to run down to the office and
if I can get a supervisor to open it for me, I'll bring the movie.”
And off he went...About
15 minutes later he showed back up and everyone was really excited
and happy. We watched 2 Fast and 2 Furious....You know, just as an
action movie, they are pretty fun and cool. I really didn't
understand how this franchise has been so popular, but if you turn
off your mind and 'enjoy the ride' (pun intended, ha ha), they are
pretty cool movies. Solley was telling everyone,
“Thank Randy – he's
the one that asked me.”
Ha ha.
Well, we all thanked
Solley after it was over and he said he was going to stay late and
make sure the other sections got to see it as well. I'm sure it's a
good way to stay in the air conditioning as well! He lives in the
dorms and it's like a convection oven out there!
That's pretty much been
the day, well, the last couple of days in a nutshell.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
June 10th, 2022
It's been a whirlwind of a day! It started with making 'birthday tacos' for a guy a few cells away. It was so hot, and with the hotpot on for cooking, I was sweating and pretty uncomfortable, but they turned out delicious, and it always feels good to do something nice for someone, especially on their birthday.
Just as I finished and began cleaning everything up – bowls to wash, table to wipe off, floor to sweep and wash (it's a must or else I'd be overrun by ants and cockroaches!) an escort team showed up to take me to a legal visit. My cell was still a mess and I panicked a bit, but grabbed my clothes and off I went.
The visit was good and we talked for a couple of hours. There's a lot going on behind the scenes that I can't talk about, but Taffy will post updates as and when it's okay to do so...For now, we wait, silently, and remain hopeful...and for now I can breathe a little and chase away the anxiety.
When I got back to my cell I cleaned up and relaxed for the rest of the day...Who knows what the weekend will bring? I hope it's peaceful!
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
June 13th, 2022
It's Monday and I'm
back at my work...With the court order in May from the CCA, I allowed
it to distract me and derail me a little. I thought it was going to
mess up all that I had been working towards in terms of the classes I
enrolled for, some of my writing projects, and life in general. I let
my anxiety get the better of me, but with the legal visit I had last
Friday, and having a better grasp of what is going on, I feel more
relaxed and at ease. I coasted over the weekend and hit the reset
button. I feel a lot better mentally, and ready to get to it again.
It's a non rec day
today. As it stands for now, our recreation days are
Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, for two hours each time. Saturday we were
supposed to go outside, but the guards put out another section and we
weren't happy about it. When we talked to the supervisors about the
situation they ordered the guards to correct the schedule and put us
outside. But as soon as the supervisors left, the guards said,
“Eff them, we're not
changing anything!”
So, needless to say, we
didn't get outside that day. One one hand, I've been very fortunate
to get outside quite a bit in recent weeks. But on the other, why
have a rec schedule if they're not going to follow it? I know it
sounds like whining, but when there's not even a guarantee from one
day to the next that we'll even get recreation, it's a small comfort
knowing that IF we do, there's at least one day scheduled where we'll
get outside.
Tonight is my Voyager
class. So far so good! The first couple of lessons have been focused
on personality traits...How to identify them in regards to who we are
individually, and also to identify and understand someone else's
personality – identifying their weakness and strengths and from a
societal point of view, how we benefit one another. The objective is
to find a way to work with someone who is different from yourself. We
are all pieces of a puzzle and you can't complete the puzzle without
understanding that we have to fit together. It's interesting. I can't
wait until late July/early August when I can begin other classes. In
one of the classes it's about how crime affects people – yourself,
your family, your victims...And from their point of view, finding
forgiveness, acknowledging your own wrongdoings, and being aware that
actions have consequences. I'm looking forward to it!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace.
June 15th, 2022
Waking up to chaos in
the morning is like being firebombed by napalm! It erupts around you
in a fury that you can't escape. My neighbor has prostate cancer and
because his appeals are exhausted, he has been refusing treatment or
surgery because he hopes he'll die before they strap him to a table
and execute him. He told me he'd rather go out on his own terms –
no matter the pain and discomfort he routinely goes through. I'm
honestly amazed he can handle it and toughs it out, even still going
to recreation.
It's our off day today
and so the guards were doing showers and taking their sweet time
doing so. My neighbor was trapped in the shower – an area where we
are locked in that is about the size of a small closet. There's
almost no breathing air and when it's summer it can feel like a hot
attic. He argued with the guards about why he was stuck in the shower
for so long, and the male officer barked back,
“Stop whining! You
weren't in there for that long!”
Hearing that, I jumped
out of bed and said,
“Tell you what....you
go stand in the shower where you can barely breathe, and have no room
to sit down or move for an hour.”
It really rubbed me up
the wrong way because I know of my neighbor's medical situation. It's
the apathy...the absolute refusal of those people to see how things
affect us and what we can go through. Should they care as guards?
Some people might say, 'no', but does putting on a uniform give a
person the excuse to leave their humanity at the front gate?
On top of that –
although they'll never admit it – the new 12 Building Major has
started the age old practice that TDCJ says doesn't happen
anymore...He's been telling the officers he wants ten discipline
cases written by the pod officers each day. In two days alone they've
written up 23 cases! They carry punishments of either rec restriction
(that's why we think they're doing it – to cut the amount of rec
they have to do), commissary restriction, or even as extreme as Level
2 or Level 3. It goes without saying that this is going to create a
more hostile and aggressive environment. It's made the last two days
very stressful. It pits the officers against the inmates which is
never a good thing.
I'll say it a thousand
times...for every step forward in Texas, they take two steps
backwards. It never fails.
Yesterday was pretty
nutty, and I was pretty sure I was going to get skipped out of
recreation as the day dragged on. The guards were being lazy and not
doing their job, and I had asked if I could go outside...and then,
two openings came up so me and a guy down the run went outside about
2.30pm, and came back in about 5pm. It was hot! We played 20 games of
basketball and then did our best to stay cool. Thank G-d for these
nifty little cool towels we can buy on commissary. You just soak them
in water and like a sponge they soak up well, then you wrap then
around your neck or over your head, and it does wonders for helping
you stay cool.
We're wondering if
we're going to get a movie today or not. It would be a nice
distraction, but it's still early as I write this. We don't know, so
here's to hoping!
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace
June 16th, 2022
The day started off normal enough. They set up recreation and we had a decent crew working, and they were getting the first round of recreation out when about one hour in everything was cancelled – including showers – because they were short handed. I worried about this eventually happening because of a tough as nails Major, and the fact that they returned to a more normal recreation schedule and had to do actual work. We had already heard rumblings that guards were going to start quitting, although I can't say for certain that it's happened yet. The fact that they've shut things down and they're not even doing showers is a good indication.
You know, with the confirmation that some death row inmates that qualify will be allowed to join a cleaning crew and maybe even work in the kitchen, I'm hoping this leads to a little more autonomy over our lives back here in the sense that most of us don't need guard escorts and handcuffs everywhere we go. If guys would be allowed to walk out to rec on their own or go to the shower without depending on guards for that, it would alleviate so many problems! Maybe one day it'll head in that direction, but who knows?
I talked to Field Minister Troop today and he said we were next up on the movie rotation. We'll be watching a tearjerker, I Still Believe. Something interesting he shared with me was that he finally received permission to show movies to the Ad-Seg pods, which is good news, and I hope it works out for everyone.
That's been pretty much my day...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace
June 19th, 2022
Juneteenth...Emancipation Day. It's Father's Day as well, and I woke up this morning a bit surprised that they were giving us a 'make up' day of recreation because they didn't run rec on Thursday. Most of us – myself included – were thinking that they wouldn't do rec today because apparently on A Pod/ there are a ton of baptisms happening today, and with it being a dual holiday, nobody would've showed up to work, but apparently people did show up and so they're doing rec. Unfortunately, we have the laziest crew possible, so...the good with the bad, right? I'm making a move to get outside and play some basketball if I can – fingers crossed!
Yesterday was my section's outside day and things moved well. I was outside by 8.30am though it was HOT and HUMID. We played 20 games of basketball and I'm on a hot streak winning two days in a row. This time with a blow out of 19-1! It feels good to be back out there and shooting ball.
Well, it's Father's Day and I've often written about my father and the love I have for him. I get sad at times thinking that I might not ever have that reconciliation I do desperately want, but I've done everything I can...I truly have...Well, here's a Happy Father's Day to him...
I was trying to think of a story about him/us that I've not told – a happy or funny one. There are many, but what popped out in my memory this morning was little 'traditions' we had with each other. When I was taking piano lessons we always stopped off at a convenience store on the way home and bought two apple juices, and when I was taking Hebrew lessons on Wednesday nights, on the way home we'd stop off at a small submarine sandwich shop he did business with. It was an opportunity for him to check on his customers and give them business as well. I always ordered this delicious meatball sandwich that was slathered with pasta sauce. It was sooooo good!
Then, when I'd be back from Kentucky, there was the weekly outings to BBQ or hamburgers – just he and I. He'd listen to oldies on the way up and I'd listen to alternative music on the way back. I loved riding along with him on his errands for business as well. In those moments we were super close and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything in the world.
Ahhh man! Troop just showed up to show us a movie, but because they're running recreation, he left. That means we'll be waiting longer. Oh well...He showed Lord of the Rings and Hercules to A-Pod.
On another note, we heard – and some of it might be rumor mill, some it it factual – that they took a death row guy to the hospital because he overdosed on something. That part is true. What we don't know is what he overdosed on and the way they were saying he was acting was so crazy for words we're kind of like...uhhh...but one of the guards said he had a fan tied to his testicles. The image is funny, but the reality is anything but funny...It begs the question of HOW does someone even do that, and please G-d I hope it wasn't switched on and that the guy is okay. It surely can't be true??
Well, I got outside but because the guards were so lazy we only got a little over an hour. We played 30 games of ball, tying at 15-15. It was like an oven outside!!
Here's to hoping tomorrow is a better day...
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace
June 21st, 2022
I'm feeling a bit weird
today...I'm worried deeply about a personal issue, but I'm sure it's
me just working myself up into a frenzy when all will be okay. It has
nothing to do with me, but, well...I'm just praying all will be okay.
Yesterday was slow but
decent. We were fortunate to watch a movie called, I Still Believe
based on a true story about a
Christian songwriter named Jeremy Camp. Some of those faith movies
can be a bit heavy handed and preachy, but his one was really good.
It was more of a love story and about someone's personal struggle
with their own faith, and it's a real tearjerker too. It was well
produced and had a couple of big stars in it, and the cinematography
was great...I'm still adjusting to the way movies are made these
days and the kinds of shots they can do with technology. It can be
distracting from the movie because I'll think, “Wow...that was a
really beautiful shot right there!” Or, “I love this slow pan in
the scene.” Since I was a kid I've always dissected movies, and
wanted to work out how they're made – especially the more recent
ones.
We
learned that C-Pod on our building was on lockdown because they've
had a bunch of pee tests come up positive for drugs, and they've
busted quite a few guys. The warden was on the The Tank yesterday and
he said he was tired of the drug problems and they were about to
'drop the hammer' and begin prosecuting people – inmates and
guards. He said,
“You
want to stay in prison, I'll help you out.”
Having
had a drug problem in my late teens, I understand addiction...I do. I
can also understand how, if it's easy to obtain in prison, why people
with those addictions can't break the addiction. It's a true test of
will. But what I can't understand is why someone on the outside,
knowing about a person's addiction, or having a loved on IN PRISON,
would want to help contribute to either furthering their addiction
and causing harm – potentially even killing them with the crap
that's out there now. In terms of prison, what I'm saying might be
controversial, but you're also making it difficult for other
prisoners who are just trying to get their time done, better
themselves, and go back to their families. You might think you're
just trying to make your loved one's time easier, but you're not.
You're either going to get them killed, put in Seg, given more time,
or give cause for the administration to put further restrictions on
the little things that DO make life a little better for all
prisoners. We can't get cards anymore except for special holidays.
Mail is now subjected to super scrutiny, and has slowed it down
tremendously. It's affected things like pictures, and cute drawings
from your children, coloured paper, post cards...It's affected
visitation. It's affected life back here. I'm not trying to point the
finger and cast stones...I just want people to think. You might think
you're helping, but you're doing more harm than good.
And
let me tell you, this junk coming in is awful. Who knows what they're
putting in that stuff these days but when a guy ties a fan to his nut
sack, or another guy tries to bite through his own arm, or jumps off
a tier thinking he's jumping into a swimming pool...Or has a mental
breakdown...Or dies...You know this stuff isn't good.
Just
think, people...If you truly love someone, get them real help. Don't
contribute to their self-harming.
Anyways...So,
we're not having rec today and I think it's because they'll probably
be shaking C-Pod
down.
Crazy!
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace
June 25th, 2022
I'm starting this entry super early in the morning. It's about 7.48am, and we're having recreation today. I'm scheduled for outside 3rd round, but I'm thinking the officer made a mistake and I might be on 4th round. It's not that big of a deal as long as the officers keep things running smoothly. I wouldn't say they're moving particularly quickly, but things are moving and haven't devolved into chaos, so hopefully that will remain.
A part of me (and some of the guys on the section I live on) was hoping they'd be short handed today because the Field Minister brought a movie to A/B/C sections yesterday, and said that if they didn't run rec today, he'd get us in for Fast and Furious part 3...But, there's always tomorrow – if they don't give us a make up day for the rec we missed this past Tuesday. If not, it won't be until later in the week.
This week has been weird...I've had fits of worry and anxiety but only because I love my Taffy so much and want things to be okay with her health. It reminds me of this time last year when she was really sick, and well...I'll just say it was really rough, and I wasn't being the best person possible...I have a lot of guilt about all that happened, as well as regret and shame, and I can only blame myself. But I'm doing better this time around and I'm full of love and hope, and by her side completely. Things will be okay, and we'll just keep pushing forward with positivity.
It's so beyond hot here. I can't remember a time we've been dealt this kind of heat. I just heard the weather report and it said it could get to 109F today! That's insanity! The AC can only help so much, and living upstairs, the heat just sits up here whilst downstairs does get cooler. Everyone that comes to two row – it doesn't matter who it is – they all say the same thing: “Geeze, it's hot up here!” Yes, it certainly is.
I was listening to The Tank yesterday evening, and I learned that prisoners will be eligible for something called a 'Pell Grant', starting July 2023. What this means is, if you qualify, an inmate will be eligible to receive government funds to attend correspondence courses. This can be almost any educational program. By the grace of G-d I'm no longer on Death Row by then, and I'm definitely going to apply. If you have a loved one that is incarcerated, I would suggest you encourage them to do the same.
It doesn't matter the situation they are in...They can take a course, or trade, and it will only benefit them in the long run. I do believe that education is a key factor to preventing recidivism, and it will help someone who gets out of prison, to jump into the job market. I'm interested in taking some kind of counselling class. I think it'll help me towards my goal/dream of being of service to others.
I had a long rant prepared for some of the recent Supreme Court rulings, but I decided to condense it down to this: Elections have consequences. Some of those consequences might not even affect your life at the macro level...you might not care or even notice them, then, suddenly you get smacked upside the head by something really big and you're stunned and in a daze, like, “how the hell did that happen?” Sadly there is a segment that are in the minority, that hold a considerable amount of power because people don't think that elections matter. They have coded their voices to this minority that is hell bent on reversing decades old precedence that has given citizens more freedom and tried to make life a little fairer whether it be in the justice system, or a little more autonomy over their individual lives and choices, while also trying to protect those who aren't capable of protecting themselves. It hasn't been perfect, but the American Experiment was never about perfection. It's about MOVING towards a MORE PERFECT UNION.
Unfortunately, there are others – again, a minority, that want to take a wrecking ball to all of that and throw us back into the dark ages, fuelled by irrationality, a lack of common sense, and an ignorance of what reality is. Basically, they want it to be like the living under the Taliban – just a different belief system, but same fundamentalist ideas.
There is a way to stop this though, and begin to get things back on track and restore freedom and fairness and autonomy. Get off your lazy butt and freakin' vote! That is the safety mechanism to protect democracy. If you can't take just a little bit of time out of your schedule to vote and protect democracy, you don't deserve to live free. It's as simple as that. Nine people shouldn't be in control of how you live YOUR life. You cannot tell me with a straight face that this is what our founding fathers wanted. Vote!
Well, they've stopped recreation...that stinks. I was looking forward to getting outside.
Courage. Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace.
June
26th, 2022
We
didn't get recreation yesterday, but they've started to do a 'make
up' day today. As I write this I'm not even scheduled to go and the
odds are against me with the crew we have working today. On top of
that, they didn't do phone calls last night – the only section this
week that didn't get calls. I was really upset about that and for the
lame excuse they gave us. It's a by product of the rampant
incompetency in this place. Twenty six years in this institution and
I'm still not used to it. I guess that means I'm not
institutionalised, which is a good thing! (ha ha).
So,
this place is falling apart. Yesterday a guard lost a handcuff key
and that was the major reason they shut everything down. Then, and no
one can figure out how this happened, but on the Ad-Seg pod an inmate
got out of the shower and managed to get into another inmate's cell
to fight him. I'm thinking they had their cell doors and shower doors
rigged to not lock. To me, that seems like a huge lapse in security.
And as if that wasn't enough craziness, we learned that last week a
guard lost a pipe chase key – which we don't know HOW that happened
because those keys are massive! Who knows what's going on around
here?
My
brain is a bit 'bleh' today, and I'm feeling a bit low because I
really needed my phone call to Taffy last night. Here's to hoping the
new week is a bit better.
Courage.
Strength. Hope and Faith.
Peace
June 29th, 2022
Monday was a good day.
One of the inmate Field Ministers showed up with the flat screen TVs
to show us two movies. Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and
Hercules. I didn't expect that I would like Hercules
very much because The Rock is a one dimensional actor in my
opinion, and he did a lot of posing and looking tough throughout the
movie, but in terms of the way it was filmed and the way the action
kept coming, it was cool. I enjoyed it. Tokyo Drift was sort
of 'meh' and I was disappointed that they used the Hollywood trope of
white guy in foreign land saves the day...I think the movie would've
worked a lot better had it been an American Japanese lead being sent
to Tokyo – a fish out of water story, but also learning some of his
heritage and the wannabe gangsters not considering him really
Japanese and building off the tension from that. But what do I know?
Seriously though, it was a cool treat to have that.
Yesterday started off
with absolute chaos. Since I've been on Death Row, when they have
restrictions, the guards are supposed to alternate where they begin
recreation. Upstairs is always on even days and they start first.
When it's an odd day on the calendar, one row starts first. They do
this so that the same cell doesn't have to get up at 5.30am every
day, while everyone else sleeps in if they want to.
Yesterday, being that
it was the 28th, was to start on two row. The guy in 78
cell had gotten out of bed, had his coffee and was waiting when we
started to hear a bunch of commotion on the other side of the pod,
because the guard started on one row. At first we thought it was a
simple mistake with a new guard, but that wasn't the case. The guards
working – one in particular – had said he wasn't going to spend
the day going up and down stairs and only intended on letting down
stairs go to recreation. He said, and this is a quote, “I ain't
gonna take my ass up and down the stairs all damn day. That's not
what I signed up for.” Needless to say, it lead to a bunch of
insults being thrown at him. When he refused to call a supervisor to
settle the matter, guys began kicking and screaming. It threw off the
entire mojo of the day.
It wasn't until lunch
time that a supervisor showed up, took the officer off the pod and
put someone on who could course correct the rec. After that things
started to move a bit better and I made it out to recreation around
12.30pm. When I went to recreation it was so quiet and peaceful. I
had a good jog and did some leg exercises, and was fortunate to go
straight to the shower after rec and be done with one stressful day.
If the rumors are true
(and so far they seem to be according to some of those who are in the
'know') and they open 12 Building up a little, allowing those death
row inmates that qualify to have jobs like cleaning or working in the
kitchen, I do think it will help alleviate a lot of the extra work
that the officers have to do themselves because our lives back here
are 100% dependant on them. Some of the inmates will then earn the
privilege of going to rec on their own, or shower on their own. I can
only see it as a good thing. It'll help alleviate a lot of stress for
the officers and inmates. Our day rooms can handle about 3-4 inmates
at a time, so instead of having to run one person at a time, they can
do more and rec will be over and done with in no time. We're just
waiting to hear the fine details. I, myself, am more than willing to
work. I'd be happy to, but I don't know if they're going to hold
something against me that happened 21 years ago. If they're fair
about it they'll see that in those 21 years I've not been in any
trouble. I've never done anything harmful to any inmate or guard, and
I've been consistently and constantly well behaved. In a perfect
world I'd get a chance to show I'm no threat, but unfortunately, the
escape has been a monkey on my back and it's very hard to shake it
off.
Today has been peaceful
enough, and I'm managing to get a lot done, so I'm good with that.
Courage. Strength. Hope
and Faith.
Peace