A night in segregation

Hubby contributes this post. He works as a correctional officer in a medium-security prison.

When students of American history think of the word “segregation”, the turbulent late 1950s and ’60s come to mind. Citizens in that period united to give African Americans and other minorities equal treatment and rights under the Constitution. One epic figure associated with segregation’s defense was Alabama Gov. George Wallace. He was notorious for standing in a school doorway saying “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”

In a prison, “segregation” is the punishment unit, a jail within the prison. Hubby often serves as the overnight segregation unit officer. Inmates are sentenced to segregation for various offenses, including assault, threats, refusing to lock down, weapons possession, tattooing and hooch (homemade alcohol) making. Other inmates are in “seg” because they have accumulated too many points to remain in a medium-security prison. They are in seg awaiting transfer to a maximum-security prison.

This segregation unit is mild compared to those at super-maximum facilities shown on television programs. Inmates here are usually respectful to seg officers because the officer is their lifeline to forms, toilet paper, telephone privileges, books, haircuts, showers and recreation. Inmates are locked down in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, seven days a week. They have the right to three meals a day and necessary medical services. Time is allotted for “dog pen” recreation and locked showers.

Three of segregation inmates’ favorite pastimes are fishing, window signing and “playing” officers.

In “fishing”, inmates remove long threads from their blankets, making them in to fishing line. Inmates tie some object onto the thread for a weight, then fling it underneath their cell doors toward their cells. Coffee, food and even dangerous contraband can be exchanged by fishing inmates. Some are so skilled that they can cast their lines sideways or from tier to tier. The line makes a zipping sound.

Fishing is the ultimate cat-and-mouse game. Seg officers love to snag lines, take contraband, then scoff at the inmates. Officers have been known to place a candy bar in the middle of the floor and let inmates fish for it. This is discouraged because fishing in seg goes against post operational rules. Inmates are supposed to be written up for fishing.

Inmates communicate with each other through window signing. They quickly draw out letters in their windows to form words. They also sometimes use code while flashing their lights.

Playing officers is not limited to seg. It occurs throughout all levels of the prison. Inmates are constantly trying to con officers for special privileges and item trading. In extreme cases, inmates wear down officers over time to get them to bring in liquor, tobacco products, outside messages or even nude pictures. Too often, officers have been sexually compromised.

American prisons have a zero tolerance for any sexual activity among inmates or between staff and inmates. Despite common jokes, no room for consensual sex exists. Officers work hard to eliminate prison rape. Rape is no laughing matter.

Good officers always try to do what’s right. Integrity is everything in a prison setting.