Chronicles of September

Chronicles of September (”Ender's Game" In Prison), Frederick Mason #55487-O56 USP Tucson PO Box 24550 Tucson, AZ 85734 I wanted to share an entry from a date-in September of 2017, partly based on'a movie I saw while here, called, ”Ender's Game”,. -based I guess off the book. There is a line I quoted that seems to apply here in prison, but I'll tell you about it when we get there. As I usually do with my journals, I will "Pause" in between some . parts to color in some details. Let's begin: September 4th, 2017: 9:21am on a Labor Day Monday. Northside had the 8am morning rec; I bet Southside hates us. But they'll likely get September to December; does this mean we're indoors on Thanksgiving AND Christmas? Christmas-is on a Monday... possibly a 4-day weekend, and Thanksgiving is on a-Thursday... possibly the same. Ugh. ("PAUSE": Just to note, here at USP Tucson, the compound, or ."yard" is split between the Northside and the Southside. On most days, we have recreation together, but on weekends or holidays, they have what is called-“split yard", meaning one side goes out at a time. When you have friends on the opposite side, it kinda sucks, because you can't see them for a few days. I am on Northside, and I have several friends On the Southside, so when weekends or holi- days come up, I can't go out on the rec to hang out.with them. And I'd like to point out, not every yard is like you see in the movies. Some'prisons have very relaxing yards, where you don't have to worry about gangs and violence. Every prison OUGHT to be like that, but it sadly isn't- USP, to give some credit to this local, is very laid back, although it has-MAJOR issues regarding personnel and mail. But as far as inmates getting along, it's very good. So I like hanging out with my friends on the yard, and miss them when the weekends and holidays come. Oh well, let's continue...) Anyway, I went to the indoor rec and watched ”Ender's Game", which I really liked. I've seen it a few times, and like gleaning things out of it. Like one line Ender said, "If you play by the rules, you lose". He also said if you use violence, you win. But do you really win? ‘ . In the movie, all the military cared about was winning- at all costs. They didn't care HOW they won, and in that, morality was cast aside. Their "enemy" wasn't a threat, they weren't even their enemy. Earth simply labeled them that out of ignorace and fear. When I think about prison, many things are indeed true; playing by their rules causes you to lose everytime. The rules weren't designed to create fairness... as some moron is outside my cell talking about split toe nails...disgusting! ("PAUSE"; Yeah, listening to someone talk about his toe.nails isn't very interesting to hear. But I mentioned about the comparisons of prison and the movie. There's a lot of truth to this. I have sadly learned all too often that the rules that BOP set aside for inmates are not designed to resolve issues. The Remedy Procedure -2- which is supposed to help resolve issues in prison, is a joke, and a red herring, designed to frustrate inmates from getting justice when the prison.breaks the law. If you play by their rules regarding getting justice, you lose. But if you use violence, you lose too, because they see that as a threat, and put you in the SHU. So you have to, as Ender did in the movie, create your own rules. It's facinating that BOP looks at inmates as the "enemy". Here at USP Tucson, I have never seen a group of men and women degrade humanity so much as to come off the parking lot and treat human beings with such low regard. And they do so, because they can get away with it. As long as YOU, the public don't know that they're getting drunk while at work, smoking while at work, beating your son or husband or throwing away your family pictures just because they can, then it's ok with them. But not ONE of these actions they would dare tell you, because you know, as well as they do, that it is wrong. Guys, there is a place for prison, I won't argue that, but we are still human beings, and deserve to be treated at least is some respectable manner. Ok, let's continue...) Anyway, BOP rules have nothing to do with fairness, only a control over inmates. The BP policy is a perfect example. Here I am a month AFTER the BOP resolution was supposed to be returned to me. They gave me 20 calendar days to file; they — by their rules- took an extension of time to look at my appeal— to which-they still haven't resolved. In all this, the 27 gain time days they stole from me still hasn't been restored. Had they sanctioned me for canteen or phone, it would not have mattered, since I would have already served the punishment. Consider, from late April to now is 4 months. So playing by their rules gives me no Victory. How do I win? By making my own rules. BOP is strongest if they operate "under the umbrella". They like to keep things "in house". But let a situation leak out, then they are held accountable to the public. This is why BPs and write—ups don't help inmates— as'I recall that Greek Don is STILLin the SHU; he was not a problem, simply someone who tried to stand up for others. How they can keep him back there is evilness at its finest. Well, they just called for the 10am count, as it's 9:39am... we'll have a special lunch, then a sack dinner. Snow cones possibly on the yard today when we go out at 2- not sure if I'll go. Anyway, let's see what the day provides... End of journal entry. I kinda covered what I mentioned about how to fight against the prison when they try to get you to go by rules they don't honor. The longer I am here, the more I see the hypocrisy. Prisons like USP Tucson expect you to have higher moral standards than the people that work here, and when you slip, they are swift to punish to the fullest extent. But when THEY break the laws, they are swifter to hide from accountability. Gosh, SOOO much to share, but that is for another time. Until next time, feel free to write to me or share my journals.