March 1

Hmmm … Well, John came down to medium [security] today.  We didn’t get him in our unit.  They put him in with Moe.  I was hoping he’d be in here, but I suppose he’ll like it more over there cause it’s a bit more lively.  I can go over and play cards pretty well anytime I want anyway.

I was supposed to start working out today, but Moe and John didn’t come to gym to help me, so I played Snooker instead.  I beat Abby and advanced to the finals.  It was a pleasure to beat Abby because he’s such a sore loser.

I think I’d be a much better player if my eyesight was better.  I’m starting to feel fat and I don’t like it.  Eating junk food is one of the few pleasures I have in here, but it’s making me fat.  I weigh 179 pounds which is probably the heaviest I’ve ever been.  I’m having pains in my stomach lately.  At first, I thought it was just hunger, but it isn’t.  It feels like the time when I took [indiscipherable] every day for months and, I think, it ate away the lining of my stomach.

Looks like I’ll have to talk to the beast, [the nurse], about it.  Skeptical bitch, I don’t like her.  I despise her.  I can’t think of anyone I like less.  Bitch.  May the fleas of a thousand camels infest her armpits …

Notes on the Correctional System

Reggie also used his time in jail to write about the correctional system itself. The following notes were among his writings from this period and are reproduced substantially as written.

It does not make sense to impose an across the board policy restructuring access to educational materials to prevent a few inmates from attempting to have drugs sent in through the mails. Could not a vigilant security officer screen incoming materials for contraband.

It is acceptable for the staff for inmates to watch television or play cards all day but any attempt by an inmate to engage in productive use of his time is actively discouraged.

Computers are virtually inaccessible.

Access to Gym, library, outdoors severely restricted.

Unlike other gov’t departments, lack of funding is not an issue. The department of justice appears to be quite generous in providing funding that will make things easier for the guards. This place could survive numerous staffing cutbacks without affecting the efficiency of the system (rec director, woodshop, gym) Recently 30-40 new dishes were purchased at an approximate cost of $15.00 each, as well as new chairs, cabinets and shelving for the library (conversely, there is no money available to purchase books for the library.

I’ve been told by former Federal inmates that the security here is greater than that of Renous [a Federal prison in northern New Brunswick].

The mission of any correctional facility should be primarily rehabilitation. Obviously, punishment is a factor as well. For most generally law abiding citizens punishment is quite possibly an effective deterrent, but for the criminally inclined person, a significant portion of the inmate population, the focus must shift to rehabilitation. Provide inmates with skills they are lacking or incentives to encourage change.

Many inmates have no direction, no focus in their lives. Correctional facilities must attempt to provide an alternative to the criminal lifestyle.

March 2

I was the pool tournament tonight against Dwayne.  I’m a Skittle King. So far we got Crib and Pool.  Tomorrow I try for Snooker.

I got woken up at five o’clock this morning for a piss test.  That’s okay, I’m clean.

Sharkey took me down to the staff lounge to mop the floor like a slave this morning.  I went peacefully.  After that, I went to the gym to try my first work out.  Moe and Dwayne showed me what to do.  I didn’t get any bigger today but if I keep it up, I guess that will come.

After lunch (donairs – my favorite meal here) I went outside with John, David, Richard and Moe.  It was actually kinda nice out, kinda peaceful and relaxing.  And this afternoon I wrote some letters to the chip company (about the state of chips), the chocolate bar company (about the mold on the Wonderbars) and the cracker company (I want to know why there’s always two crackers with burnt edges in every pack).  Nothing too important, but I want to see what kind of response I get.  So far, this week is going by quickly.  So far, so good.  Yeah.

March 3

My arms are sore today from the work out I did yesterday.  I guess I have, as Moe put it “let myself deteriorate to a deplorable physical condition.”

Spent a lot of time in Moe’s unit playing cards today (playing Prediction, John taught me how to play Rummy.)

Dwayne got a chocolate bar this morning that had grey stuff all over it.  The Canteen guy shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this.

Went outside again today.  It was kinda cold; think I’ll not be doing that again for awhile.

Tonight I chaired my first AA meeting.  I like to think I did a pretty good job.  No complaints from the Peanut Gallery anyway.  And tonight I called [my wife], told her to say only good things to the parole guy if he calls.  Talked to [my daughter] for a sec.

I’m reading a book by Carl Sagan, “Brocas Brain”, which is really interesting.

March 4

I went to the gym with John and Moe this morning (John insisted) for my second work out.  John was torturing me, so I snuck out a bit early.  My arms were sore.

This evening I won the Snooker tournament so now I’m the official Skittle King of Sleepy Hollow.  I found out that I like Skittles.  I passed them out to the guys in the unit when I came back from the gym.  And I learned 3 new card games:  Rummy, Knock Gin and Kings Corner (from John Runhard?? and Dwayne respectively).  Card games help the time go by faster.

I finished my parole paper and attempted to get my case worker, Dave, to pass it on but it seems that he’s an asshole.  I’m going to ??? ??? tomorrow.  My father was supposed to visit this evening; he was in town to pick up my mother at the airport.  Hope she came back with some good news.

All in all, I’m fairly content here but I look forward to moving on, getting back to the big city (Toronto).  I don’t think I’m cut out for the slow pace of PEI.  I’ve always wanted to live in a city.  I’m grateful that after all the shit I’ve been through these last 2 years, in going to get that opportunity.