August 28

Saturday passed without any problems.  The guys let me have control of the remote and I have almost exclusive use of the soft chair, so I’m fairly comfortable in this unit … [Terrence] snuck in and stole our T.V. guide so I’m giving him a hard time about that.  I’ve got a “Wanted” poster on our window and a couple other signs …

I was talking to Dave M. again.  We’re hoping he will come through with a favor for us tonight.  I also told him to go ahead and talk to Ian for me.  I hope that was a good idea, but I am skeptical.

Tomorrow I might be getting a visit from my parents.  I’m not sure if I want to see them or not.  I don’t need anyone trying to make me feel guilty.  Feeling guilty doesn’t make the time go by any better in here.  It’s best just to forget about what goes on outside and just take things day by day.  Someday it will all be behind me.

 August 29

Got through another weekend.  Just fourteen weeks left now.  I’m on the home stretch.  I didn’t have any visitors today.  This was a relief because I really didn’t want to see anybody …

Dave didn’t take care of business last night.  That’s disappointing but not really much of a surprise.  You can’t depend on anybody when you’re in here …

We got another guy in our unit today.  It’s just too crowded up here now.  I hope they’ll reopen minimum so they can thin things out a bit …

 August 30

This was a very good day indeed.  I found out that things went well for W. last weekend.  That makes all this time in jail worthwhile.  Jim and I are going to do well when we get out.  And I should have all my debts paid as soon as I get out.  I’m very pleased that we were able to pull this off from the inside …

I called Ian and told them that I would let him work things out with me.  I didn’t have the heart to see him get a beating.  But at least he got the message …

I wrote letters Lawrence MacAulay and Herb Dickinson about the lack of focus on rehabilitation in here.  Perhaps they’ll try to do something about it.

I also wrote a letter to Cadbury complaining about how they reduced the size of the Wonderbar and they thought I wouldn’t notice! Ha.

I was talking to Jolene for a few minutes in church.  I’m writing letters for her to try and help her get a softer sentence.  I hope that she will take my advice.

I talked to Larry too and gave him a personal ad to put in the paper for me.  That should be interesting if I get a bunch of letters coming in.  Tomorrow I might be getting moved to medium.  I like it here, but Frankie is driving me nuts talking all the time and I would like to get outside to pick up some packages.

I watched a good program on the Learning Channel tonight about viruses.  I’m really interested in that stuff, but all my interests are stifled in this educational wasteland.

Draft Letter to Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Federal Cabinet Minister

Dear Mr MacAulay:

I am an inmate of the PCC [Provincial Correctional Center] in Charlottetown, P.E.I.  I have been incarcerated for the past ten months. During this time many issues have arisen that seem to conflict with the centre’s alleged goal of rehabilitation (for example, inmates are prohibited from bringing in reading materials, whether educational or not.  This includes textbooks, spiritual literature such as that published by Alcoholics Anonymous, magazines and even newspapers.  Also, we are subjected to degrading strip searches on an almost daily basis). Unfortunately, we have been unable to find anyone willing to address our concerns with the Provincial Government (and this includes Attorney General Wes McQuaid and P.E.I. does not have an Ombudsman).

I’m unsure whether or not the PCC falls within your jurisdiction, but it would be greatly appreciated if you would provide some advice on having our complaints or concerns dealt with (Is the Correctional Investigation involved with Provincial Institutions?)  Also, please forward a copy of the Correction and Conditional Release Act (if it applies to Provincial Institutions).

Sincerely,

 R. MacDonald

         

Complaint Letter to Cadbury Foods

Dear Sir:

The new packaging for the Wonderbar is very pretty.  However, the Wonderbar itself is now 10% smaller.  This is very devious on your part.  Do you really think you can pull the wool over the masses of Wonderbar eaters?  We are very disappointed.  Did you really think that the once loyal masses of Wonderbar eaters would be fooled by this chicanery?

The packaging of the Wonderbar is very appealing at first glance, however, a closer look reveals that its weight has been reduced by 10%, from 60g to 54g.  This becomes obvious when the wrapper is opened.  I would say that this is very devious on your part.  Did you really believe that the once-loyal masses of Wonderbar eaters would be fooled by your chicanery.  I think not.  We are gravely disappointed.

 Disgruntled Wonderbar eater.

[Below is the response from Cadbury].

 
September 2

This week seems to be going fast.  The weather has been good too and that makes a difference.  I haven’t heard anything about going to medium but that’s how things work around here.  Never ending head games …

My mother was here today.  They’re baffled about me screwing up the program,

but dad is going to come in for the parole hearing.  Funny how that is, as it was his name I put down for my advocate.  I’m fairly confident that I’ll be out in December.  It would be great if I could take a program in November but that’s unlikely as long as [Supervisor] is involved.  But three months is not a long time.  I can handle it.

 September 3

Not much going on today.  It’s the start of another long weekend … I’ve got a cricket in my room, and I can’t get rid of him.  He’s really pissing me off.  We sprayed the window three times so far with Off but he’s still chirping …

Yesterday, Jason, Jimmy and [Terrence] tried to take a bath in their showers and flooded the hallway that leads outside …

We had a church concert in the gym tonight.  I was hoping they’d have pop for us but I was disappointed.  I got them to sing “joy, joy, joy” which, I guess, is my song.  I was talking to Jolene and got a letter from her.  She’s pretty friendly to me now, too bad we weren’t out.  I’d like to see her get out around the same time that I do, so we could have a bit of fun …

I think I will try and get to medium next week before I go to that parole hearing.  It would be better if I was in medium next week before I go to that parole hearing.  And John will probably get parole, so I’d like to hang out with him till he leaves.  He’s a good guy.  I’ve made a lot of friends in here.  It really hasn’t been that bad.