Today I finished writing an article about a former CEO who attempted suicide as a response to embezzlement problems. The man struggled with bipolar disorder, and he said that mood swings compelled his actions that led to imprisonment. When I interviewed him for the story, I was trying to gather information for Professor Jana Schrenkler’s [...]
Many prisoners ask whether I’ll be faithful to my wife once my prison term ends. I don’t identify with the logic that leads them to ask me such questions. They assume that as a consequence of the decades I’ve served I would want to enjoy relationships with many women. When I respond that I will [...]
Two years ago today I was locked in the SHU at Lompoc. SHU stands for Special Housing Unit, though those in prison refer to the SHU as the hole. Administrators had locked me in the SHU because they suspected that I was using a word processor to type manuscripts. I had indeed used the word [...]
At 3:30 this morning I resumed work on an article I began writing yesterday about a need for a new Director in the Bureau of Prisons. Although citizens may not feelt that bureaucratic role has much influence over their lives, I’m convinced that the policies set by the BOP Director have an influence on prison [...]
At 2:38 this morning I woke and hopped down from my rack in the Taft prison camp. A few minutes later I was in the quiet room where I write early each morning. I have come to really depend on the quiet time alone. If I am not awake before 3:00 in the moning, I [...]
This morning I resumed work on the chapter for Professor Joan Petersilia’s book at 1:55. It was my third day of writing for the chapter and I’ve made good progress. If my writing is as productive tomorrow, I ought to finish a first draft of the chapter. The chapter provides a condensed view of the [...]
My thoughts keep running to this possible transfer from Taft Camp to Sheridan Camp. In the late 1980s, or maybe it was the early 1990s, administrators at USP Atlanta helped block a transfer to Sheridan at my request. I was making good progress in the penitentiary, advancing toward my first university degree. Transferring to Sheridan [...]
The GEO Group is a company that manages private prisons. When I first arrived at the Taft Federal prison camp, the GEO Group had the management contract to manage this private prison. To me, the prison felt better for serving time than any other prison where I have been confined. The GEO Group manages many [...]
I enjoyed a productive day of writing, as I made excellent progress with the sample chapter of the new book proposal I began writing earlier this week. In the afternoon, as I was editing, an inmate gave me some news about the camp in Sheridan. Apparently, the camp now offers inmates access to e-mail. Carole [...]
This morning I woke at 2:15 in order to make more progress on the sample chapter. Carole was scheduled to visit me early, soon after the visiting room opened. I had a lot of work to complete, and since this book proposed is important to me, I began writing about 30 minutes earlier than usual. [...]
