May 14, 2009

Today, the Manzanita unit awoke to a complex-wide lock-down. Within minutes we orangemen had the story. Whether the details are accurate, only two orangemen involved know for sure.

Around 8:30 pm last night (inmate headcount) guards noticed that two inmates were missing from the Cimmaron unit, a High Medium Unit located inside the Tucson Prison complexes' perimeter fence. Ironically, for this reason, AZ's sex offenders, murderers, violent offenders, etc. are supposed to be kept behind no less than two security fences, such as inside the complex. VERY SMART.

Hours later, the pair was found hiding out in a ditch. Still inside the complexes' perimeter. Due to the large size of the complex, with its open fields, marsh-like swaths of land and its own wildlife, including water fowl, I suspect they thought they'd escaped. LOL

Last I heard, Former Manzanita Deputy Warden Bradley was now at Cimmaron unit replacing Manzanita unit's current Deputy Warden after fatally violent incidents occured there.

Manzanita unit, despite not being inside the complexes' perimeter fence, has 300 plus medium securitys, including sex offenders, murderers, lifers, etc., being housed with 80 plus minimum security, non-violent or dangerous short-timers, including myself.

Apparently, based on statements by Manzanita staff and Director Ryan made to me and other minimums here, this breach of inmate and public safety is former Director Schriro's doing and due to budgetary reason is not likely to be remedied.

*NOTICE TO PUBLIC*

Manzanita unit administrators, Tucson Complex administrators, and ADOC Central Office top administrators have been formally and informally informed of what's going on here. For months now they have all failed to act, with deliberate indifference.

Arizona Civil Liberties Union Legal Director, Daniel Pochoda, is apprised of the situation here too.

Who is responsible for insuring public and inmate safety??

In prison, I've spent many hours thinking of the past. I've tried not to dwell on it and beat myself up. I wasn't always a good man. I have my regrets, as well as misfortunes.

I've noticed lately that the more I've been able to forgive myself and deal with my ghosts and skeletons, the happier I am-even in these conditions-and the more fond memories I recall. Recently, one such memory came back. It was nearly 25 years ago.

It was 1985-86. It was a 5th grade dance. The Snowball. Grandview Middle School. Her name was Kristen Fincher. My first crush. She was popular and the prettiest girl in school in my eyes. I wasn't in the popular crowd and was shy.

I was so nervous when I asked her to dance. She looked so pretty in her dress and I was sure I'd have a heart attack when she accepted.

Never had I danced before, let alone slow danced. I had only seen it done on tv. It was nothing like that. Kristen immediately recognized I had no clue and sweetly showed me what to do, gently placing my hands on her hips and resting hers on my shoulders.

After showing my briefly how we step, we danced the rest of the song.

She was so sweet to me that day. I remember it clearly. I wonder what she's doing these days. I wonder where her life led her. I hope that her life was far less complicated than mine was and that she is successful and happy today. What would she think of the shy little boy she taught to dance today?

May 3, 2009

I was beginning to think I was not meant to have a Food Visit. Since earning my way to minimum custody a few years ago, I've continued to try to arrange to get a food visit. I had given in to the possibility that it was never going to happen, when to my joy and surprise it all worked out.

"Clark, you have a visit!" The guard announced in the dorm. Sitting up in my bed, I quickly dressed and headed to the visitation room after Tony, Ironman and a couple of other friends wished me a good food visit.

After signing in and a quick pat-search, I entered the crowded visit room, greeted by my good friend Doug's smiling face. A lobbyist in Arizona, Doug is usually at work at the Capitol, on business trips or any number of things that keep him ultra-busy. His visit was a very great gesture for me, as well as a great opportunity for me to hear what's going on in AZ politics, get financial advice, and to shamelessly stuff my face with ridiculous amounts of great food. Seriously, I ate like it was my first meal in over six year! Oh wait...it was. LOL

A big bowl of chicken fried rice, 20 shrimp pot stickers, homemade fruit salad, 4 slices of blueberry pie, a pound of trail mix, strawberry fruit bars, a pound of beef jerky, 2 big sticky buns and 2 pounds of fudge.

Doug left a couple of fruit bars, a handful of trail mix and a couple squares of fudge. In only 1 1/2 hours time span I tore into it.

I must apologize to some of you readers who had to witness my feeding frenzy in visitation, but a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do to get fed around this camp. LOL

It was also surprising and great to meet and learn that my blog has loyal followers with loved ones here.

It was an excellent visit, grand feast and a very good day.

I'd like to thank Doug, Tony, Ironman, Sue and all of my friends. I know I am a pain in the ass sometimes, but you guys all got my back and I appreciate it. Now lets get to work on my next food visit. September is closing in...LOL (I hope that these visits aren't cut, but it's not looking good).

April 28, 2009

Many, if not the majority, of the prisoners locked up in Arizona's prisons (and elsewhere) are in dire need of help, be it due to lack of social skills, work ethics and financial management skill, or physical, mental or emotional problems. One beneficial program, although still infant and vulnerable to ADOC's whimsical carelessness in management, is the Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative (PRI) Work Force Development Structure. It is a hugely advantageous program that readies prisoners for reintegration into society and the work force. A federally funded program, which with it's current ADOC employed staff is a priceless asset in the fight against recidivism and the betterment of AZ convicted felons.

Prisoners at the Tucson Prison Complex and Southern Arizona Rehabilitation Center (Women) are prospering from the 12 weeks of workforce development preparation and strategies for re-entry into society, as are other units outside of Tucson.

Those prisoners returning to Pima County (Tucson) receive help from Primavera Foundation with job-related issues, case management and resource referrals. The same is provided by AWEE for Maricopa County.

Here at the Manzanita unit, the program facilitator's name is Keith Jeffery. Although not popular with, or accept by "regular" ADOC employees (most of the program's facilitators aren't) Mr. Jeffery goes the distance to get his job done. Not simply to collect a paycheck, but because he cares and he knows he makes a difference. He not only strives to do his best at work, but is so dedicated that he continues to help prisoners get jobs after their release on his time off. I hear most of them involved in this program are similarly dedicated.

I don't know the effect the ADOC's budget cuts, legislators' law changes and the ADOC's regime changes will have on this great program, run by truly good people, but it would be very wise for this program to remain intact and expanded on. Currently, this is the question in the minds of many of us in orange.

Just as I know that ADOC's budget cuts coming up will gut most all programs ADOC offers its prisoners (substance abuse, cultural diversity and sex offender rehab will get whacked, predictably), lawmakers and administrators should know that this program and its current facilitators need to stay. Especially with tens of thousands of prisoners potentially being released within a year.

If you have opinions, more info, or your own views on what should happen with this program, please share.

If you'd like to share your views with ADOC, lawmakers or the program's staff, please contact them directly, or....likely they are reading this; and they all do, you can reach them HERE!

April 17, 2009

After reading Jennifer Scroggins' comment to my "Cuts & Tax Hikes" posting, I am even more outraged with Arizona's lawmakers, as well as certain state agency directors. Although I'm conscious that many are in similar, and even worse, situations as Ms. Scroggins describes, reading her dire words just pulls on my heart strings and makes my blood boil.

I see all the wasteful government spending daily in ADOC. I see the "brand new" ADOC sedans, vans, trucks, construction vehicles and transport buses. They're parked with the fleet of older models (some not being used). I see the "brand new" golf cart purchased by Manzanita unit in the past year, which is rarely used. I see the unused office equipment, including computers and various other supplies stockpiled on the unit, not being used. And yet ADOC "cannot" come up with more than an 8% budget cut proposal...NONSENSE! I say if the ADOC "cannot" come up with at least a 20% budget cut proposal, a special team of auditors/site inspectors should be created by state lawmakers to audit/inventory every single ADOC site. Every unit, room, office, account, etc. Then lawmakers should base the ADOC's cuts on those assets and a 20% lump sum cut.

With hundreds of millions of dollars (my low guess) in State-owned assets being available, it's disgusting to me that lawmakers choose to push those already in a tough situation deeper into poverty and desperation with budget cuts to state agencies/programs that are their only life lines. How many people in Ms. Scroggins' situation could benefit from the kind of budget cutting?

In Arizona's "tough on crime" political propaganda, apparently the victims' become less of a concern to lawmakers when the victims' needs get in the way of the state locking up the "bad guy" and throwing away the key.

Ms. Scroggins, despite all the hardship, and I'm sure heartache, you did right in prosecuting. I don't know your situation, but as a man, prisoner, and childhood abuse/neglect victim, I know that any man who abuses his wife, girlfriend and/or children needs to be locked up. In my 34 years, I've done lots of stupid and crazy stuff, but never raised a hand to a female or child. I don't understand why or how a guy could do this. I say prosecute, but I don't support "tough on crime" propaganda. It has never, and will never be, an effective deterrent. Only an economy sucking ideology. Keep fighting, Jennifer!

Networking and Blogging

April 18, 2009

Okay, I stand humbly corrected. I will keep MySpace up and blogging, with the help of Rebecca who has taken the MySpace reigns.

So now I'm at: www.myspace.com/clarkbarred, www.facebook.com/ShannonMichaelClark, and http://www.shannoninprison.blogspot.com/.

Although I concede that I'm hopeful that FaceBook will help me with finding snail-mail pen pals, which MySpace hasn't, my main reason for choosing FaceBook is to expand my blog readership, as well as reader participation. I've heard FaceBook is the premium site for reader comments and participation.

Plus, all the CNN people have FaceBook pages, so why shouldn't I?? LOL Lou Dobbs, Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper have nothing on Shannon Clark. LOL!

Hopefully, my loyal friends on MySpace and Blogspot will stick with me and new FaceBook friends will equal or exceed that number. And all those interested in snail-mailing, you can privately leave you snail mail address or write me at mine...

Shannon Michael Clark #113372
ASPC-Tucson-Manzanita Unit
PO Box 24401
Tucson, AZ 85734-4401

April 12, 2009

Yesterday, interim Director Charles Ryan, as well as deputy Director Flannigan, paid a visit to Manzanita unit. Normally, this would not be newsworthy, however, this time was special.

Generally, Central Office had administrators seldom come to the individual units, and when they do, they tend to stay in the administration offices and away from the prisoner population. Only once have I seen a director walk the yard. Director Terry Stewart did a walk on a yard I was on many years ago with an entourage of his own personal security and toured without a word to the prisoners.

Not only did the director, deputy director and Deputy Warden Aguilar walk the yard and talk with swarms of orangemen, they listened to all of our concerns and complaints, and even took written notes.

Brian, Tony and I got time with Director Ryan in front of Housing Unit 2. Brian made an excellent representative and laid out all of our legitimate concerns and aired our collective grievances-I say "legitimate" because oftentimes prisoners here will discuss "personal" gripes with little overall importance to orangemen as a whole.

Our main points were focused on the fact that we in Housing Unit 1, Manzanita Minimum Custody, are for intents and purposes treated as Medium Custody rather than the custody level which we have earned. We conveyed to Director Ryan; who directed D.W. Aguilar to look into and rectify the fact that because Manzanita unit is a Medium Custody unit, Housing Unit 1's minimums are not afforded the safety, conditions, privileges and opportunities which are afforded every other Minimum Custody prisoners throughout the system. In short, Director Ryan explained that while he was gone (2003 until 2009), changes happened within ADOC due to the state's serious economic crisis and budget cuts, and bed space cannot be wasted, thus our housing arrangements on Manzanita. He did request D.W. Aguilar to address and work out most of our issues though.

Director Ryan also briefly discussed the Department's 2010 budget cut proposals and stated that nothing has been passed or declined by state lawmakers. Basically, he has been asked to provide lawmakers information, i.e. proposals, statistics, and ADOC's status, which he continues to provide via testimony and documents. Legislative discussions are still on-going with ADOC. Director Ryan did seem amazed at how well informed and on top of things Brian and I were.

I was impressed with the interim Director Charles Ryan who was on the unit yesterday. Now let's wait and see what authority he has over his subordinates, and whether he is willing and able to fix the problems, policy and constitutional violations, he knows and acknowledges exist on the Manzanita unit.

Director Ryan, when introducing himself, said that he is aware of who I am. Hmmm...should I be flattered, impressed or scared? LOL

April 10, 2009

Tony, Brian and I were discussing how mangy and broke down the pigeons look here on the Manzanita Unit, which reminded me of a hilarious prank Tony, me and a guy named Ghost pulled on another guy a few years ago on the Santa Rita Unit.

Soho lived downstairs from Tony on Yard 1. He kept his cell floor clean and waxed to the point of obsession. It was like glass and nobody walked on his floor with their shoes on, except guards.

Soho, Tony, Ghost, and I were sitting on the stoop in front of Soho's cell. Smoking cigarettes, we chit-chatted. Ghost had brought us all a doughnut. Soho and I immediately wolfed ours down. Pigeons flocked around us, keeping their distance, anticipating a stray doughnut crumb. They always seem to suddenly appear in the sky whenever orangemen break out with food.

"Soho! Baker run-cell 14! Report to medical!" The P.A. system blared out. "Watch my cell. I'll be right back," Soho said, getting up and walking off towards medical.

As he opened his doughnut, the two dozen mangy looking pigeons edged closer to Ghost in a disorganized flurry. Breaking off a small morsel and tossing it in the crowd of winged rats, he watched them chaotically erupt, jockeying for position and fighting for a piece of the crumb.

"Lemme see a piece of that," I told Ghost. Tearing off a piece of doughnut, Ghost tossed it to me. Breaking tiny pieces off and tossing them one at a time in front of the mass of pigeons, I slowly led them down the stairs and in front of Soho's open cell door. "Now scare 'em in the cell, " I told Ghost and Tony, smiling ear to ear.

Tony and Ghost slowly got up and crept towards the distracted swarm of birds. Suddenly, they burst towards the pigeons, screaming and waving their arms. All but three birds fluttered into Soho's open cell, which I quickly slammed the door shut on.

Laughing hysterically, the three of us all squeezed our faces into the cell door window and watched as the birds flew around the cell and landed on his bed, bookshelf, TV, empty upper bunk and the shiny floor.

For twenty minutes, the three of us stood around waiting for Soho to return, occasionally pointing out our prank to passing orangemen, and even the guard who discovered the 8' x 12' aviary on his security walk. The guard simply looked in the window, looked at us, smiled and said, "Now that's a lot of birds," and continued his walk.

About thirty minutes after the birds had flown into the coop, Soho's door electronically buzzed and popped open slightly. Soho had arrived and the control room guard had unlocked his cell door for him.

Without a clue what lie behind his door, Soho pushed it open and stepped inside. As soon as his foot came down on the makeshift towel doormat inside his cell, nine flustered birds took flight in a feathery storm, battering Soho on their way out of his cell. Soho screamed and tried to protect himself from the beating wings, as we doubled over with laughter.

Soho took it well and after a few minutes, laughed with us, but a couple of weeks later, as I watched tv after lockdown (9:00 pm) in my cell, I spied a desert toad crawl out from under my bunk. Upon further investigation, I found twenty-six toad of various sizes hiding in my cell. I spent the night with them until 6:30 am when I was able to free them.

April 9, 2009

Here on the Manzanita unit, guard's attitudes towards orangemen change a lot. Oftentimes it's the orangemen who are at fault. Some guards will treat us nice, respect us, give us a break, and treat us as human beings. Some guys choose to abuse this, perceiving it as weakness, rather than kindness and fairness.

Two particular guards have refused to turn bitter and are some of the best on the yard. The Department needs more guards of this quality.

COII Coffee, although disliked by many here due to her zealous pursuit to rid the yard of drugs, doesn't sweat over petty things. She doesn't bother anybody, unless you get on her dope radar. She'll joke, talk smack and tolerates the typical orangeman bullshit. She never wavers. orangemen KNOW, without a doubt, who and how she is. She will give us what we're allowed, but she has zero patience for dope. And she's this unit's most effective weapon against drugs.

COII Ashwood is a short, jocular guard who has a great rapport with most Manzanita orangemen. She is a tough cookie, who speaks her mind, demands and gives respect, tells us like it is, and will do what it takes to give us what we have coming. When she orders us to do something it's for a good reason and we do it. She'll talk smack with the orangemen and CO's, and is good at it. She won't tell us what we want to hear to pacify us and won't listen to our excuses when we're wrong. Personally, I think she'd make a great supervisor (sgt., lt., etc.), but that'd never work out. In my experience, most supervisors in ADC lack...um...all COII Ashwood's qualities.

ADOC would be best served if more guards like these two were employed, but with little to no incentives to work for ADOC in this condition and ADOC's proposals to legislators to cut some of the things that may attract some good people's applications: such as uniform allowances, lowering pay, and cutting certain benefits, it's likely that even horrible guards will quit.

Some budget cut proposals in the works that effect ADOC's staff are, in my opinion, irresponsible and will make an already bad problem worse. Would releasing early a little than 10,000 non-violent, minimum & medium custody level, well behaved orangemen who have successfully completed all classes, programs, etc. offered in ADOC, and who are now simply sitting around idling, really be such a bad thing?

April 5, 2009

Recently I learned a little legislative lawmaking trick from a lobbyist friend of mine. To me...it sounds a bit deceitful and sinister, but apparently this is common practice and legal. I'll give you the gist of it.

When legislators want to quickly, and/or quietly create or change law(s), they will, and routinely do, use "Strike-All Bills".

A "Strike-All Bill" is a pre-existing bill, with a name and number (such as House Bill 1234, Tax Reform). No legislator has sponsored the bill, it isn't likely to be heard and/or pass. This bill is used by legislators.

The bill's text is "stricken" from it and whatever new law's text is added to the bill and it continues on to be signed into law. Thus, HB 1234 Tax Reform is now HB 1234 Correctional Budget Reform.

Something like that, I think. This tactic would sure make it easy to pass laws behind the public's back. Maybe it's more complicated than this. What do you think?