Thought I should jump in for an update.
Not much to tell though really. It has been pretty quiet this last week. The weather has been pretty decent. It has been nice to be able to ride the Goldwing to work all week.
Tonight is my last night for a week, I go to inservice training next week. We do 40 hours of training every year, and next week it's my turn. The only real drag is having to get up and be in at 07:30 am. Not an easy task for someone who has spent so much time working nights. I don't do mornings very well. Oh well, it makes for a nice change of pace for a week. That and I get a week of not having to deal with inmates.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
April 22nd
The guy that they had to take to the hospital last night did in fact use a shoelace around his neck with pencils to tighten it. The staff found him unconcious, but they did get him in time and he came back to the institution at about 9:00 am this morning and is expected to fully recover. He had apparently cut himself on his face and arms as well, but they were mostly superficial cuts.
We have two new inmates on death row as of Friday. About four years ago an inmate was stabbed and beaten to death in the activities section of the Penitentiary. These two had been awaiting trial for it, and finished and were apparently sentenced last Friday. They both got the death sentence. The sad part is, in Oregon, they are more likely to die of old age than being executed.
Well, I am off to do another overtime shift. The boss just called and is getting desperate, he has four posts to cover.
We have two new inmates on death row as of Friday. About four years ago an inmate was stabbed and beaten to death in the activities section of the Penitentiary. These two had been awaiting trial for it, and finished and were apparently sentenced last Friday. They both got the death sentence. The sad part is, in Oregon, they are more likely to die of old age than being executed.
Well, I am off to do another overtime shift. The boss just called and is getting desperate, he has four posts to cover.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
April 21st
Well, things got interesting again last night. Right before lights out at 10:00 pm we got a call on the radio for all floor staff to report to the ready room. They had a cell fight in DSU (Disciplinary Segregation Unit) and they pulled all of our staff to go deal with it. They left one person to cover our whole building. At least we had everything done for the night, so it didn't matter so much, as long as we didn't have anyone get stupid. Fortunatley we didn't and they got the guys out in DSU with nothing more than a good dousing of pepper spray.
Then at just after 4:00 am we get another call. While doing the 4:00 am count, an inmate had attempted to kill himself. The way I heard it was he tied some string or a shoelace around his neck and used pencils to turn it like a tourniquet. When found he was unconcious. They called an ambulance and they again pulled two of our staff to go to the hospital with him. This left us with two people to feed breakfast at 5:oo am. Two people to serve meals to 150 inmates, it was going to be a late morning for us. Fortunatley some of the dayshift guys showed up early and jumped in to help feed, so it gone done only about 10 minutes later than usual. By the time I left, I hadn't heard anything about the guy that tried to kill himself. I am going in tonight to do an extra shift, so I will post in the morning if I hear anything more.
Then at just after 4:00 am we get another call. While doing the 4:00 am count, an inmate had attempted to kill himself. The way I heard it was he tied some string or a shoelace around his neck and used pencils to turn it like a tourniquet. When found he was unconcious. They called an ambulance and they again pulled two of our staff to go to the hospital with him. This left us with two people to feed breakfast at 5:oo am. Two people to serve meals to 150 inmates, it was going to be a late morning for us. Fortunatley some of the dayshift guys showed up early and jumped in to help feed, so it gone done only about 10 minutes later than usual. By the time I left, I hadn't heard anything about the guy that tried to kill himself. I am going in tonight to do an extra shift, so I will post in the morning if I hear anything more.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
April 19th
Last night was one of those great nights where everything happens at once.
Shortly after we got on shift, the lieutenant had to go to SMU. Smu is the Special Management Unit, our psych unit. We had just got our orderlies out to clean their respective units, when she called me and said she needed some staff up in SMU to assist with an inmate that was out of control. They were going to need a team to place the inmate in a restraint chair. The restraint chair is a chair that is low to the ground and on wheels that has straps for the arms, legs and chest to restrain an inmate that may cause self harm. So two of our staff left the building in a hurry to go help. We had to lock our orderlies back up, since we were now working with only two floor staff in the building, not enough to respond if we were to have a problem.
The two staff that went out to help made it as far as the foot gate. Our unit is entirely fenced in within the institution. There is a gate that we go through that is right under one of the towers, and that tower has a switch to open the gate to let us in and out. So of course, the lock failed. The Lt. is freaking out wanting those staff in SMU NOW, and they are stuck behind the gate trying desperatley to get out. They are finally able to get the gate to release so they can get out, but the lock is still malfunctioning, so they start trying to get someone out to fix it.
Then about ten minutes after this mess, while still running with just two staff in the building, I get a call from our transport unit. They are on the way to our unit in about twenty minutes with six new inmates for us from an institution in eastern Oregon. Now we don't have enough staff to bring these guys in, we don't have a lieutenant that can authorize the gate to be lifted to bring them in, and the gate still isn't fixed even if we did. They ended up having to bring them in through the visiting area for our unit, and they had to help bring them in. They were ecstatic over this news, as they were already running late and several hours past what should have been the end of their shift already.
Well, eventually, we got our new admits in and settled, they got the guy in SMU in the chair and settled down and the gate got fixed. It was getting late at this point, so the orderlies didn't get out to finish cleaning so they did what inmates do best and bitched, whined and complained for a while, but things finally calmed down and the rest of the night went pretty smooth.
On a happier note, looks like the weather is going to be kind tonight so I can ride the bike to work. What a way to spoil a good ride, having to pull in to work at the end of it. Oh well, I gotta be there, might as well enjoy getting there.
Shortly after we got on shift, the lieutenant had to go to SMU. Smu is the Special Management Unit, our psych unit. We had just got our orderlies out to clean their respective units, when she called me and said she needed some staff up in SMU to assist with an inmate that was out of control. They were going to need a team to place the inmate in a restraint chair. The restraint chair is a chair that is low to the ground and on wheels that has straps for the arms, legs and chest to restrain an inmate that may cause self harm. So two of our staff left the building in a hurry to go help. We had to lock our orderlies back up, since we were now working with only two floor staff in the building, not enough to respond if we were to have a problem.
The two staff that went out to help made it as far as the foot gate. Our unit is entirely fenced in within the institution. There is a gate that we go through that is right under one of the towers, and that tower has a switch to open the gate to let us in and out. So of course, the lock failed. The Lt. is freaking out wanting those staff in SMU NOW, and they are stuck behind the gate trying desperatley to get out. They are finally able to get the gate to release so they can get out, but the lock is still malfunctioning, so they start trying to get someone out to fix it.
Then about ten minutes after this mess, while still running with just two staff in the building, I get a call from our transport unit. They are on the way to our unit in about twenty minutes with six new inmates for us from an institution in eastern Oregon. Now we don't have enough staff to bring these guys in, we don't have a lieutenant that can authorize the gate to be lifted to bring them in, and the gate still isn't fixed even if we did. They ended up having to bring them in through the visiting area for our unit, and they had to help bring them in. They were ecstatic over this news, as they were already running late and several hours past what should have been the end of their shift already.
Well, eventually, we got our new admits in and settled, they got the guy in SMU in the chair and settled down and the gate got fixed. It was getting late at this point, so the orderlies didn't get out to finish cleaning so they did what inmates do best and bitched, whined and complained for a while, but things finally calmed down and the rest of the night went pretty smooth.
On a happier note, looks like the weather is going to be kind tonight so I can ride the bike to work. What a way to spoil a good ride, having to pull in to work at the end of it. Oh well, I gotta be there, might as well enjoy getting there.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
April 15th
OK, so I am a couple days late. It has been a busy week.
For starters, it turns out the fire at OSCI and the fight were not related. There was apparently just a small electrical fire. Then there was a fight that was unrelated. I never get much details other than that.
Nothing really exciting this week. I worked an extra shift Saturday night. I decided to ride the goldwing to work, despite the dark clouds. It was clear here when I left the house, but there were some ugly looking clouds up north. As I cruised north on I-5 I managed to stay just behind the rain. It had blown past before I got to it and the road was wet, but I didn't get rained on for most of the ride.
Then I got to an area that has some high hills just south of Salem. As I approached the hills it started to rain so I slipped into the slow lane and slowed a bit. As I got further up the hill it started to rain harder, then I hit a hail storm. It was just little hail, but as it started peppering my face at 65 miles an hour I decided it sucks just a little bit. Fortunately it didn't last long, and once I cleared the hills it was clear again. Oh well, it was still a nice ride.
For starters, it turns out the fire at OSCI and the fight were not related. There was apparently just a small electrical fire. Then there was a fight that was unrelated. I never get much details other than that.
Nothing really exciting this week. I worked an extra shift Saturday night. I decided to ride the goldwing to work, despite the dark clouds. It was clear here when I left the house, but there were some ugly looking clouds up north. As I cruised north on I-5 I managed to stay just behind the rain. It had blown past before I got to it and the road was wet, but I didn't get rained on for most of the ride.
Then I got to an area that has some high hills just south of Salem. As I approached the hills it started to rain so I slipped into the slow lane and slowed a bit. As I got further up the hill it started to rain harder, then I hit a hail storm. It was just little hail, but as it started peppering my face at 65 miles an hour I decided it sucks just a little bit. Fortunately it didn't last long, and once I cleared the hills it was clear again. Oh well, it was still a nice ride.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
April 12th
Sorry to those of you who actually read this rubish and look for more. It has been a while, I have been bad about keeping up.
There hasn't really been a whole lot going on lately, things have been pretty quiet, which is a good thing I suppose, all things considered.
This morning looked like it was going to be a real cluster, but it turned out not to be too bad. I was informed at 10 minutes to 5:00 am that we had an inmate we had to wake in our unit to be shipped out. I got this information from the guy working control in another unit. Thanks for passing along the info there LT. We feed breakfast at 5:05 am, so we didn't have much time to get him up, have him pack his belongings, and get him downstairs before breakfast was served.
THEN we got word that we were getting 5 new inmates from OSCI, another institution in Salem. The details are a bit fuzzy still, but there was something mentioned about a fire and some fights. I have no idea at this point if the inmates started a fire, or what exactly happened. I will find out tonight and post what details I can tomorrow.
We were afraid we would get these guys in just as breakfast got to the building. This has happened before, and can really throw a monkey wrench in the morning routine. The biggest being, we all get to go home late because everything gets delayed. Fortunately, they didn't get to us, so we were able to get breakfast served and split before they got there.
There hasn't really been a whole lot going on lately, things have been pretty quiet, which is a good thing I suppose, all things considered.
This morning looked like it was going to be a real cluster, but it turned out not to be too bad. I was informed at 10 minutes to 5:00 am that we had an inmate we had to wake in our unit to be shipped out. I got this information from the guy working control in another unit. Thanks for passing along the info there LT. We feed breakfast at 5:05 am, so we didn't have much time to get him up, have him pack his belongings, and get him downstairs before breakfast was served.
THEN we got word that we were getting 5 new inmates from OSCI, another institution in Salem. The details are a bit fuzzy still, but there was something mentioned about a fire and some fights. I have no idea at this point if the inmates started a fire, or what exactly happened. I will find out tonight and post what details I can tomorrow.
We were afraid we would get these guys in just as breakfast got to the building. This has happened before, and can really throw a monkey wrench in the morning routine. The biggest being, we all get to go home late because everything gets delayed. Fortunately, they didn't get to us, so we were able to get breakfast served and split before they got there.
Friday, March 30, 2007
March 30th
Well, got back to work this week.
12 hours makes for a LONG shift with my back still hurting, but with a little help from my constant companion, Vicadin, I am getting by.
Last night was interesting. There is an inmate that was unhappy with the meds he recieved from the nurse. He felt they were the wrong ones, or not enough or something. So he did what any normal person would do under those circumstances and took his balls hostage. Oh yeah, you heard me right. He tied something around his testicles and decided he was going to castrate himself.
Now I'm thinking, this will be fun, let's leave him be and check on him in the morning. We can't do that of course.
Sigh, things would be so much more fun if I were in charge.
So everyone has to suit up to do a cell extraction, because this clown is refusing to back up for restraints so they can check on him. And as usual, right after everyone takes the time to get suited up, he decides to cooperate and back up.
Here is another thing that would change if I were in charge. If I have asked you 3 or more times to back up and you refuse, and I have to take the time to pull all my staff in and suit up, we ARE coming in the hard way to get you. What's that?, you are willing to back up now? Oh, no can do my friend. That ship has already sailed, ready or not, here we come!
Anyway, he backed up, the hostages were freed, and the rest of the night was quiet.
The weather has been pretty nice the last couple days so I have been able to ride the motorcycle to work. It has been a bit chilly coming home in the morning, but still a nice ride. They are saying we will get a little rain this afternoon. I am hoping it is light and clears up so I can ride again tonight.
12 hours makes for a LONG shift with my back still hurting, but with a little help from my constant companion, Vicadin, I am getting by.
Last night was interesting. There is an inmate that was unhappy with the meds he recieved from the nurse. He felt they were the wrong ones, or not enough or something. So he did what any normal person would do under those circumstances and took his balls hostage. Oh yeah, you heard me right. He tied something around his testicles and decided he was going to castrate himself.
Now I'm thinking, this will be fun, let's leave him be and check on him in the morning. We can't do that of course.
Sigh, things would be so much more fun if I were in charge.
So everyone has to suit up to do a cell extraction, because this clown is refusing to back up for restraints so they can check on him. And as usual, right after everyone takes the time to get suited up, he decides to cooperate and back up.
Here is another thing that would change if I were in charge. If I have asked you 3 or more times to back up and you refuse, and I have to take the time to pull all my staff in and suit up, we ARE coming in the hard way to get you. What's that?, you are willing to back up now? Oh, no can do my friend. That ship has already sailed, ready or not, here we come!
Anyway, he backed up, the hostages were freed, and the rest of the night was quiet.
The weather has been pretty nice the last couple days so I have been able to ride the motorcycle to work. It has been a bit chilly coming home in the morning, but still a nice ride. They are saying we will get a little rain this afternoon. I am hoping it is light and clears up so I can ride again tonight.
Friday, March 23, 2007
March 23rd
Nope, I haven't left this to the wayside.
We moved over the first weekend of the month and didn't get the internet setup at our new house until yesterday.
Not a lot has been going on.
I managed to get through the move without hurting my back, and then the day AFTER we got moved I decided to get my computer set up. As I lifted my antique, massive old 19" monitor off the ground, my back went out. So I have missed the last week of work.
I went in Thursday morning and had pain block shots in my back. They use an x-ray machine and run a needle right in next to my spine and shoot me with a steroid that has anti-inflammatory properties. So far I still hurt like hell, but I think it is starting to ease off a little.
So when I get back to work next week I will be sure to start updating again.
We moved over the first weekend of the month and didn't get the internet setup at our new house until yesterday.
Not a lot has been going on.
I managed to get through the move without hurting my back, and then the day AFTER we got moved I decided to get my computer set up. As I lifted my antique, massive old 19" monitor off the ground, my back went out. So I have missed the last week of work.
I went in Thursday morning and had pain block shots in my back. They use an x-ray machine and run a needle right in next to my spine and shoot me with a steroid that has anti-inflammatory properties. So far I still hurt like hell, but I think it is starting to ease off a little.
So when I get back to work next week I will be sure to start updating again.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
March 1st
Not much going on this week so far.
It has been pretty quiet for the most part.
Did have a funny one when I did count the other night. There is a new inmate that was brought in to A unit. This is the unit where guys that first come into the building go. This guy started hollering at me as soon as I got on the tier wanting me to come to the front of his cell and talk to him. I told him I was doing count, and if he wanted to talk to do it while I was walking. He proceeded to yell out to tell me he wasn't a rape-o or anything and he wanted to be treated better. He wanted a pillow, he wanted a cell with running water, (He is in a water controlled cell), he wanted a better cell in general, he wanted to go to population, and on and on and on. He continued to rant the whole time I was walking the tier. As I finished and was walking out I looked at him and told him I don't know why he is telling ME all this, I am not the guy in a position to make it happen for him. THAT was it. He nutted up and started kicking his cell door and yelling that he wanted to see the Luietenant RIGHT NOW and demanded I make him come see him. And on and on he went as I left the tier to finish my walk. When I finished walking my count, I proceeded to the Luietenants' office and informed him that he was to stop what he was doing and IMMEDIATELY go talk to that inmate. We had a good laugh over it and moved on.
This inmate is going to be a pain in the ass, we can already tell. Last night he started to sheet up his cell. This is when an inmate covers the front of their cell with their blankets or sheets so the officer in control center can't see into their cell. An officer went in and was able to reason (read as, threaten) with him and get him to take them down. I suspect we will be dealing with this clown a lot over the next month or two.
I guess while I am telling stories, I should tell the one from last weeks count. I had forgotten about it until I wrote this. I was counting in B unit, and as I got to the last section (there are 3 sections in each unti) an inmate started making cat calls and whistling at me and just being an idiot in general. The Corporal was in the office of the unit as I finished, and I warned him I was going to stir the shit in section 3. He just looked at me and asked "Why do you have to stir up MY unit?" I just grinned at him and walked back out to section 3 and said loud enough for all to hear, "I don't know what you are yelling and whistling at me for. I read your chrono's (these are comments and information in our computer about the inmates crimes and their behavior since being inside) and from what I can see, I am the right sex, but about 35 years too old for you to be interested in me." That worked, the whole tier started ripping on the guy and giving him hell. I just grinned and went on to the next unit to continue my count, as the Corporal stood shaking his head.
Sometimes you just gotta make your own entertainment.
In other news, I guess they had another fight just outside the dining room last night at dinner time. I didn't hear any details about what it was about or who it involved. It sure seems like we are having an awful lot of fights lately, and this usually doesn't happen until summer gets here and people are hot and grumpy. It might be an interesting year.
It has been pretty quiet for the most part.
Did have a funny one when I did count the other night. There is a new inmate that was brought in to A unit. This is the unit where guys that first come into the building go. This guy started hollering at me as soon as I got on the tier wanting me to come to the front of his cell and talk to him. I told him I was doing count, and if he wanted to talk to do it while I was walking. He proceeded to yell out to tell me he wasn't a rape-o or anything and he wanted to be treated better. He wanted a pillow, he wanted a cell with running water, (He is in a water controlled cell), he wanted a better cell in general, he wanted to go to population, and on and on and on. He continued to rant the whole time I was walking the tier. As I finished and was walking out I looked at him and told him I don't know why he is telling ME all this, I am not the guy in a position to make it happen for him. THAT was it. He nutted up and started kicking his cell door and yelling that he wanted to see the Luietenant RIGHT NOW and demanded I make him come see him. And on and on he went as I left the tier to finish my walk. When I finished walking my count, I proceeded to the Luietenants' office and informed him that he was to stop what he was doing and IMMEDIATELY go talk to that inmate. We had a good laugh over it and moved on.
This inmate is going to be a pain in the ass, we can already tell. Last night he started to sheet up his cell. This is when an inmate covers the front of their cell with their blankets or sheets so the officer in control center can't see into their cell. An officer went in and was able to reason (read as, threaten) with him and get him to take them down. I suspect we will be dealing with this clown a lot over the next month or two.
I guess while I am telling stories, I should tell the one from last weeks count. I had forgotten about it until I wrote this. I was counting in B unit, and as I got to the last section (there are 3 sections in each unti) an inmate started making cat calls and whistling at me and just being an idiot in general. The Corporal was in the office of the unit as I finished, and I warned him I was going to stir the shit in section 3. He just looked at me and asked "Why do you have to stir up MY unit?" I just grinned at him and walked back out to section 3 and said loud enough for all to hear, "I don't know what you are yelling and whistling at me for. I read your chrono's (these are comments and information in our computer about the inmates crimes and their behavior since being inside) and from what I can see, I am the right sex, but about 35 years too old for you to be interested in me." That worked, the whole tier started ripping on the guy and giving him hell. I just grinned and went on to the next unit to continue my count, as the Corporal stood shaking his head.
Sometimes you just gotta make your own entertainment.
In other news, I guess they had another fight just outside the dining room last night at dinner time. I didn't hear any details about what it was about or who it involved. It sure seems like we are having an awful lot of fights lately, and this usually doesn't happen until summer gets here and people are hot and grumpy. It might be an interesting year.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
February 22nd
Not much to report today. It was a pretty routine quiet night for me.
It appears we have lost another staff member. According to the rumor mill, he lost his temper with his girlfriend and grabbed her by the throat and threatned her. He was arrested, and will now lose his certification and will no longer be able to work for any sort of law enforcement in the state of Oregon. The guy had like 10 years in and pissed it away over what? a stupid argument with his girlfriend? What a waste, and he was a good officer. This is all of course just the talk, so it may not play out exactly as I have heard so far, but he is definately banned from entering the institution until further notice, so obviously something happened.
It appears we have lost another staff member. According to the rumor mill, he lost his temper with his girlfriend and grabbed her by the throat and threatned her. He was arrested, and will now lose his certification and will no longer be able to work for any sort of law enforcement in the state of Oregon. The guy had like 10 years in and pissed it away over what? a stupid argument with his girlfriend? What a waste, and he was a good officer. This is all of course just the talk, so it may not play out exactly as I have heard so far, but he is definately banned from entering the institution until further notice, so obviously something happened.
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