News

By Christopher Zoukis

Today, as I returned to my housing unit from the noon meal, I witnessed something that bothered me greatly.  I observed a number of FCI Petersburg inmates removing an old, (presumably less-secure) fence and installing a new (presumably more-secure) fence at the entrance to the recreation yard.  They were there working hard, jackhammers, fork lifts, and other supplies in hand.

While I understand that these prisoners work in the facilities maintenance department, and that these sorts of tasks fall within their work purview, it still bothers me that they — fellow federal prisoners — would be involved in the act of enhancing the fences and bars of the institution which contain all of us.  I had the same feeling when they engaged in the same project about a year ago.  That time they replaced existing fencing and gates with the more secure variety.  They also installed new cameras and put in some very annoying secure turnstile entrances to the Recreation Department.  This time they will complete the job by removing the rest of the old chain-link fence and replace it with the more sturdy bars topped with razor-wire (picture circular spools of barbwire, but topped with razor blades as opposed to sharp barbs).

The question which comes to mind — no, the internal debate and conflict which comes to mind — is whether prisoners should be involved in constructing new security or monitoring measures, the purpose of which is to better keep us in the prison or to make our lot in life worse.  This same work detail frosted the FCI Petersburg Special Housing Unit windows not too long ago, so that those locked in the hole would not be able to look out their windows.   Shouldn’t there be at least one iota of solidarity and brotherhood amongst all of us who are locked up and locked down?  We all know that there will be bootlickers and stool pigeons.  And we know that there will be snitches.  But should the average federal prisoner be involved in such actions?  I think not.  To me it is offensive.