Eighth Visit to Taft

Last week I spoke about how RESPECT at Taft Camp is of utmost importance. There is protocol for just about everything, and rules, procedures, and how to behave are the first and most important things you learn.

Although privacy in general is at a minimum, the unwritten rules dictate that everyone follow certain bathroom and shower procedures to allow each inmate to feel comfortable. Ron describes the bathrooms as similar to an expensive health club's facilities. Large, individual showers with complete privacy, a large bank of sinks and private stall toilets. The difference is that no one at Taft walks around naked. Everyone does what they came for and no one bothers anyone else. This aspect of prison life is always a concern for new inmates, but as Ron quickly found out, there is nothing to fear.

Respect is given to each and every inmate, and if the unwritten rules are not followed, someone will tell that inmate what is expected. For example, the TV room. There are three TV rooms. The room you go to for TV depends on what you watch. Ron goes to the room that shows CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS. Other rooms show basketball and other sports, while a third room shows many Spanish language programs and soccer. The first time Ron went to watch TV he just went in and sat down. Wrong. First, the channel selection is done by seniority, so he'll never be choosing the programs. Second, you bring your own chair with you, and ask if it's ok to sit in the spot you have chosen. Everyone has their own spot, again by seniority, and if you sit in someone's spot you will be asked to move.

In the dining hall you again ask if you can sit with someone. You don't just sit down anywhere. Everyone is very polite. There is no pushing in line, no cutting in line. Because of Ron's age he is shown extra respect. They call him Pops or Ump, terms of endearment and show him great kindness. It's amazing. Some of these men might have been wild on the outside, but at Taft they are all model citizens in every way.

Last week I was talking about ways of counting time. Ron met with his friend Michael Santos last week. They spoke about the positive aspects of incarceration and about looking forward to the future. Michael gave Ron another way to count time. Here it is. Ron made a commitment to Michael that he would do nine laps around the track every day until he is released. He has just about 5,400 laps to go. It sounds like a lot but before you know it the number done will outnumber the number left to do.

Here's one funny little joke Ron made the other day at his horticulture class, and for those that know his sense of humor, will appreciate it. They were taking their first horticulture exam. Ron was prepared, but many of the other students had not studied and did not think they would do well. One man turned to Ron and said, "I'm really nervous about the test. What if I don't pass?" Ron answered, "What are they going to do, put you in jail?" (I thought that was very funny)

Each week I think I will have nothing to say on this blog, and as I start writing it all just flows. Next week I will tell you about some of the amazing ways Ron is helping individual inmates. You will be surprised.