Who Forgot to Pay the Electric Bill?? by Inmate #1

Who forgot to pay the light bill??? So from about 12pm to 130pm today, all of the electricity went off in our housing unit and I believe the entire complex. It was a BIG problem. All the inmates were called back to their housing unit and we had to sit in the dark.. we had no external electricity or generator. We were forced to use our book lights to get to the restroom and use it.

When the lights did go back on, we had an extended 1 hour count which include an inmate by inmate census count where they count you off from a list and check your ID. Then our guard came to each individually room and compared our names and faces to a book which had exactly that information including the pictures. I was told that the electric has never been off for so long at one time. What a giant mess! I have never heard of an entire prison losing power for that much time. Just goes to show how great Carswell is.. LOL

High Blood Pressure- You Still Have That??? by Inmate #1

Here's how incompetent Carswell is. I self surrendered on blood pressure medicine called Valsartan. Upon entering, that medication was changed by the Physician's Assistant to Losartan. The Losartan shot my blood pressure from readings around 130 or 140 to regular readings ABOVE 160. The doctor tried to solve the issue by DOUBLING the dosage of the Losartan. The increased dose INCREASED my high blood pressure to the 170 to 180 range.

The doctor then put in to change my prescription back to the Valsartan I was taking pre imprisonment. Some jackass in Washington decided NOT to approve that change, When I went to pickup this month's medication, I now have NO blood pressure medicine.

You read that correct, ALL my blood pressure medicine has been DISCONTINUED as of April 10th, 2018. Discontinuing my medication doesn't change my medical condition. I still have high blood pressure. My father died of a massive stroke at 42 due to high blood pressure and I am 44. WTF kind of medical care is this except to try and kill people???  How can a medical care facility be so stupid and incompetent???

It's Fun and Games in One North by Inmate #1

In the last month, my housing unit has had not one, not two but THREE knockdown fights. One girl beat the crap out of her roommate. One old lady in a wheelchair beat the crap out of another old lady in a walker in the shower area. She beat her so bad with a lock that she needed to go to the hospital. The other fight started with another screaming match and then a hell of a fight. Last Saturday, we had a crazy partially blind person run into our unit screaming at someone and it took no less than 10 guards AND pepper spray to finally contain her ass. Add to that a fire alarm pulled last night by our unit officer (in the middle of my shower no less) because people were all getting up in each others faces. That was fun btw since I had to quickly rinse off, throw on shorts and a shirt and go stand out in the free open space in my shower shoes..While we were all leaving, people started going into seizures because of the alarm. After I almost ran back in because you guessed it, I was worried someone would steal my stuff from the shower (but no one did). Yes this is my life here.. It totally fucking sucks!

Don't Eat the Buns by Inmate #1

Apparently we have a bug and animal problem in the kitchen. I was told by friends that I know work in the kitchen that a bunch of the hamburger buns bags were broken into by rats who proceeded to eat what they could and leave remnants of their feast. There was rat poop on the buns that was brushed off and then SERVED. 


You were given a choice of those buns or leftover dinner rolls from breakfast for your sandwich. I took the leftover ones.. To make the lunch even worse, there was a roach on the line and I personally saw one of the workers squish it and wipe it to the floor. I wish I was joking.. I am not.. welcome to Carswell - we get served expired food with bugs and rat poop.

Beans on the Side of Baked Chicken - Really??? by Inmate #1

So all I had today was oatmeal for breakfast and a handful of cheese crackers as a snack.. so looking forward to lunch.. baked chicken (usually served with potato of some sort). There was no potato - The side dish was BLACK BEANS and almost ice cold broccoli...  I am so friggin hungry its not even funny.  Even with the chicken I was able to eat (not very well cooked) - I am at around 100 calories. The broccoli was inedible and the beans I obviously cannot eat. How can there be no protocol for bariatric patients? I cannot be the ONLY one in the entire system! This is what I was talking to the stupid idiot nutritionist on staff about. He tells me to self select enough calories. If I had eaten ALL of the chicken and ALL of the ice cold broccoli - it would have maybe have been 200 calories!!! Hey BOP - stop being so damn cheap and serving beans all the time. Who the hell eats black beans on the side of chicken and no carbohydrate??? The only culture I can think of who eats black beans on the side of chicken is the Latin culture but even they add RICE!!! This situation is ridiculous.

Letters to Legislators by F.G.

A few weeks ago, I gave the addresses of the state Senators to Inmate #1 and her husband. I also gave them the addresses for their local U.S. Representatives in their district. The recent posts that she was talking about involved the receipt of communication from one Senator and one Congressman. Thankfully they are investigating her concerns. We don't know what will come of it, if anything, but we all agreed that at least we have to try. Nothing gets done if no action is taken, and in the case of Inmate #1, there are multiple factors that need to be addressed.

How can they send people to a prison that is labeled as a Federal medical center that exists for the purpose of inmates with specific medical needs...yet they give these people poor advice, they prescribe the wrong medicines, or they withhold required medications that have been prescribed by doctors prior to sentencing??? And what kind of medical facility is not equipped to meet the needs of people who are on special diets, including Inmate #1's bariatric diet??

These ill-equipped medical facilities are expected in regular state prisons, but not in special Federal prisons that are labeled as medical facilities. Basic civil rights are being violated at both the state and Federal level in the United States prison system. While people are incarcerated as punishment for crimes, do they honestly deserve to eat child's portions of food, meat that is 90% fat, spoiled foods, food that comes from kitchens infested with rats and/or cockroaches, to live with visible mold, and to be prescribed the wrong medications? Prisoners are still humans.

Not every prisoner has committed a violent crime. And what about those who are innocent who are sitting in prison while waiting on appeals? Do innocent people deserve this inhumane treatment? Imagine your meal only offering 2 thin slices of roast beef that contain 90% fat and 10% edible meat, a piece of bread, and approximately 2 tablespoons of beans? Sounds really nutritious and satisfying, doesn't it??

Inmates are compensating for the loss of calories and proper nutrition by spending money once a week for commissary. Most are buying junk food like chips and candy just to sustain themselves. Inmate #1 purchases chips occasionally, but most of what she buys are items like oatmeal for breakfast, granola, nuts, and fruits. To the reader who doesn't know Inmate #1, this sounds great. However, bariatric patients need to eat 6 small meals a day. She still is not receiving the daily recommended caloric intake for a healthy body, even with her commissary purchases. The human body is fragile, and it needs proper nutrition and hydration to maintain good health.

Letters I Had to Sign For by Inmate #1

So I have 2 people who I have heard from. Congressman Darren Soto and Senator Bill Nelson. Nelson is the one who already contacted the BOP. The letter he sent me that I received today confirmed that. He stated he is in touch with the BOP to find out what is going on and will let me know. Soto sent me the forms which I need to return to obtain medical records and release information. I will send tomorrow. They have both reassured me it is the pleasure to help their constituents, etc. Pretty cool actually especially since it was so fast.

Update by F.G.

This is me, the moderator. I have been catching up on the blog, and although not all of the posts are in the exact order in which they were sent to me, I have still posted everything the 2 inmates have asked me to post. They also wanted me to post the positives along with the negatives. Although everything is mostly difficult for both inmates at FMC Carswell, there are a few bright spots worth mentioning. Of course, no prison situation is pleasant, but when health care is denied, botched, etc., the conditions of the facilities are breaking multiple OSHA violations, the health department would have a field day with Carswell, and they are serving turkey bacon that expired 2 years ago, then these basic human rights violations and health need to be exposed. FMC Carswell is supposedly a health care facility for Federal inmates, yet it is a diseased, mold-infested dive.

Something Good by Inmate #2

Had another visit with Dr Bollinger - on Thurs I got my heart medicine - and the week before I got my blood pressure medicine change to the medication I came in on. Now on Fri Dr Bollinger said I was qualified so he would email the powers that be to get me moved to the hospital building - I am excited and sad both. Inmate #1 and I have been talking about her going to camp and me going to CC5.

 

Things are beginning to move and it's about time. 134 days for simple healthcare is a little much but better late than never - I guess. 

Oh and the peanut shaped hole in the floor in the handicap stall in the bathroom now is shaped like the baby on the grinch - it's now a foot wide and about a foot or so long - the paint on top has been chipped off and it keeps growing. We'll see how long it takes to get THAT fixed.

Damn by Inmate #2

I was given a shot on Friday for the email I wrote I told you about. I was given 30 commissary restriction. Today - I am unable to get the forms necessary to appeal the penalty and I asked to see my case manager but I had to write a cop out - our unit officer said he was out and had to print some - that was hours ago and I just now have received the form.

Unfortunately 15 minutes ago the case manager left the building so I have no clue whether the restriction was total or if I am able to get non essential healthcare supplies -clothes, washing supplies, makeup, shampoo etc - that isn't going to help me because after having done inventory of my locker I have maybe enough supplies to get me through this week - so far I ate lunch today and will eat dinner tonight but then I am done until Thursday lunch.

It is against the rules to ask or accept help from my bunkies so this penalty literally endangers my health more than it is already. Today I am just short of 50 lbs lost in 132 days. On Friday the cardiologist ordered my heart medicine but as of this morning (11 am) it has not been signed off by my Primary care Dr - and he is out tomorrow again - 132 days today without heart meds or blood thinner. This place is crazier and crazier. I'm trying to hold it together - at least I know have the correct blood pressure meds. - It took 125 days.

On another note - today I asked the Health Services Administrator for an appointment to see about being moved over to the main bldg - I asked for Unit 5 - about 100 people +/- much quieter than where I am - we'll see where that goes. 

Irrational Behavior by Inmate #2

The BOP institution is an irrational organization - where they spend an ungodly amount of money on the staff and not even a bare minimum on the inmates. My tax dollars and yours go to maintaining staff offices with the high end accoutrements of running an office and the staff dining room with top of the line food. Where the inmate food is unhealthy, unstable or inconsistent and unreasonable portions where diet restricted people are given no choice but to starve if there is no protocol for their medical condition.

 

Then if you error in your following if the rules which is one of the unreasonable and irrational things I am talking about they restrict your ability to eat even more by as punishment restricting your commissary and according to my Case manager and Counselor it is going to be a complete ban for 30 days. So no chow line 15-16 of 21 meals a week. No wonder I have lost almost 50 lbs in 129 days. The irrational part is - they know the violations exist all over the unit but choose to ignore the others.

 

Like at count time - there is to be no leaving your room after a certain time (3:45 for evening count (which is supposed to be at 4) but when it is delayed there are certain people who can go do whatever they want - go to the bathroom, go to the hot water dispenser, go to the water fountain - or whatever and be out of their room but never get a shot.

 

One of these people actually walked by the guard just before counting (delaying counting because they waited for her to get back to her room - she does it EVERY count time) but they NEVER write her up. Yet AFTER count my bunkie had to go to the bathroom really bad - at least 15 people went to the restroom BEFORE she did and yet she got a shot for delaying count because they had to recount - 6 people got shots for that but the 3 on the 2nd floor didn't get shots and the 3 in the shower didn't get shots so again I say - their rule enforcement is irrational.

 

Guards are allowed to break the rules that are posted on the bulletin board in front of THEIR office. For example, the daytime guard will not let you sleep after he comes on duty. We get up, clean our room and most of the time go back to bed and cover up with 1 blanket (published rule) but everyday he comes in wakes you up and makes you get up even though your room is already clean. Writing up a guard only gets you retaliation.

 

There is much action on an inmates' part that is fruitless here. This institution is full of irrational behavior. 5 Dr recommendations are not enough to get a medication ( a necessary and life preserving medication) approved. The lack of medical care is extreme in some cases. Yet, the warehouses are full of high end staff and food supplies for staff but inmates cannot get good medical care or (and I won't say any because there are a few good ones) guards who are willing to enforce the rules across the boards to make time served here easy to understand and equal for all. 

Education Job by Inmate #1

So far so good! I work today and tomorrow from 730 to 330. There are breaks and callouts so it breaks up the day. I have about 90 minutes for lunch and I get to go early at 11! I also have a cool Education lanyard. There are only about 25 of us total so it makes me feel somewhat proud. The job seems like it will be challenging a little - way more than wiping tables or rolling silverware. I think it's a good fit.

 

So in addition to my regular stuff I need to do.. I have been tasked with two HUGE projects. This is based on my boss saying I was hired cause I seemed extremely good at organizing.. LOL - you think? One is a complete reorganization and cataloguing of our resource center materials and the second is I get to create an ACE class. ACE classes are the extra credit classes people can take about either fun stuff like Modern Marvels (yes they use the video series from the History channel) or practical like finances.

 

The class I am creating has to do with reentering the job force. I did not pick the material, I was handed a packet and told to create a curriculum. I think that is pretty cool. Also being in the education department, I am eligible to teach an upcoming ACE class. At least my time will be way more interesting than rolling silverware or sitting around for hours at a time.

 

I do get paid something stupid like .12 per hour or .25 - not sure what my pay grade is so it will help with commissary a little for the next few months HOWEVER in June and July - the government takes $25 of whatever I make to start paying restitution. It's in my paperwork. 

Finally...Job Situation is Done by Inmate #1

Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. I am going to Education - its official - everything had been stamped and delivered! The change order has been put in as my counselor did it when I was in her office. She said I am officially out of food service as of 12:01 tonight. It took a lot of determination to get this from submitting the application with a resume and 250 word essay to a 3 panel interview to waiting hours to have people sign one form to make this all go through. I have no idea what my schedule will be nor do I really care. 

Other good news: I now can get snacks to take with me at every meal. I get a choice of 2 boiled eggs. a piece of bread with peanut butter, a piece of bread with 2 cheese slices or occasionally cereal. It might not seem like much but at least its 3 little mini meals every day that I do not have to pay for and this should stretch my commissary purchases alot. 

Slightly bad news: 

The person who completes the forms for going to camp doesn't do them any more and NO ONE knows who does so it will be a huge challenge to get there. At least with the Education job, this should get a little better over here. Luckily I have learned to sleep in an environment with a loudness and activity level comparable with the Jurassic Park ride at Universal when you are in the building and the T-Rex is about to eat you (supposedly)... 

Still trying to keep plugging away. At least the days sometime seem to go fast with everything I need to get done.

Letter to the Senators- The Truth Hurts by Inmate #1

So I sent the letters out a little less than 3 weeks ago. Today I got called into the head of Health Administration to sign medical release forms so they could send my medical records to Senator Bill Nelson. She is PISSED.

When I got there for the appointment, she stated I needed to sign the form because apparently I had written a letter and the Senator wanted my medical records. She printed it, I signed. She said "I am also sending a copy of your commissary list". I said "ok" She stated "Maybe you shouldn't eat salty foods." I had corn chips on the list along with sunflower seeds - oh and one bag of doritos this week.

I would say 90% of what I get is HEALTHY like the nutrition bars, oatmeal, fruit cups, rice, crackers, banana chips, trail mix, etc. I replied "Maybe you shouldn't have changed my medication" to which she replied "Maybe you shouldn't have come to prison." I left the office.. Could she have been a little more unprofessional?????

It's not my fault that they keep giving me pills that are RAISING my blood pressure, that they have NO food protocol for bariatric and gout patients, and that they love to serve beans with almost every meal (bad for gout). Their nutritionist is a joke. So far one Senator is involved, hopefully the other 3 I wrote to will also respond. :) Carswell is a HORRIBLE place for medical care and I am not going to let it be swept under the rug. At the end of the day, this is my life and body they are screwing with. I will shout loud and often until this place becomes safe!

Alarming by Inmate #2

In your contact with the health dept you might want to  mention that MRSA is on the rise here  - I had a bunkie in the bus stop right after I got here that got bit with a spider and by the time they agreed (3 visits to sick call later) to lance the bite it had a huge core - big around as your little finger and as deep as the 2nd knuckle - they sent it to the lab  and tested it for MRSA -

It came back positive - over the weekend another person I know here had a huge boil on her back side near her butt - she got it to break and got most of the stuff out of it - it smelled so foul it gagged you - made you want to throw up - she went to sick call and they woul n't do anything - said it looked like she got everything but didn't test it for MRSA - a year ago they lance a boil in the same spot that did have MRSA.

Now the bunkie is getting all these sores all over and they aren't doing anything for it except they FINALLY gave her a round of antibiotics - don't know what  kind but I am sure it's not tetracycline or bactrim - I think I heard her say amoxicillin - useless against MRSA - It worries me because I was bit by a bug (actually took them the bug) but they didn 't do anything when  the bite ruptured -

Didn't even take the core out - they gave me clindamycin but I am not familiar with that antibiotic so don't know if it is useful treating MRSA - I now wonder if I am going to have the same breakout in couple of months.  This place is scarier and scarier. I've heard a couple more stories about MRSA being here and also about this viral infection that only has one very expensive medication to treat it successfully - there were two patients at sick call the same day - it seems this virus is contagious but don't know how - or what the median is.  I'll see if I can get the name of the virus.

New Wrinkle, Part 2 by Inmate #2

Well..........when they returned the paperwork unprocessed it had a case number on it - so my question to them is why did you return paperwork that had a case number on it for not having a case number? And how can an appeal have a limit to the number of pages - maybe I print (or write large) or maybe there is a lengthy explanation that can't be shortened.....

Dumbest thing - and there is no paperwork or list of rules given with the form so I can read your mind and know how long my appeal can be? 

Prison is a lie and full of liars..... it also is full of rules that are not seen and make no sense.

New Data by Inmate #2

142 days from date of surrender Nov 1, 2017 I have finally received the most critical of the medications I was taking before I came to this hell hole. The BOP finally approved the Eliquis (blood thinner) and gabapentin (for neuropathy). Tonight I might be able to go to bed and go to sleep without having to wait until my feet quit hurting and burning. This neuropathy is as bad as any day I had gout in my right foot. That was a nightmare in itself. One step forward - now lets see how many back I get to go before I go forward again.

I am a Teacher! by Inmate #1

So this is cool.. one of the teachers dropped out of wanting to teach an ACE (Adult Continuing Education) class this session and I volunteered. The class is a video class and takes place tomorrow. Its super easy, all I do is grade tests and watch the videos with them. I am teaching an art class - from Monet to Van Gogh! This is super cool since it was one of the ACE classes I actually thought about signing up for before I got my job so the fact that I am going to teach it is a very odd turn of events. Yes I am an overachiever. I don't think they have had many inmates here less than 60 days teaching classes.

I have decided since I am teaching that class this session and another class or two next session - I will not put in the form for camp. I really like my job and it balances out being here. Thank God I do not do it for the pay.. I get paid .12 per hour - I guess I wont be putting that on any applications I fill out when I get back home when they ask pay rate. :)

If I go to camp, I lose my job and will end up being bored and in food service. Its a big trade off to decide to stay in the craziness of unit 1 North but I like my routine.  One of the classes I am going to ask to teach next session is called epidemic. The classes are already picked so its not like I picked the subject but out of all of the next session, that would be my top choice. Yes I have issues - LOL. I don't remember what the other ones are which are being offered.

I was thinking a lot about everyone here and why some of them are so miserable. The bottom line is the only way to get through something like this is what you make out of it. I could have easily taken that assigned job in food service and been absolutely miserable having to get up at 4am to stand around and then wipe tables. I could easily not exercise and let myself go to hell and be depressed. I am choosing NOT to do that. This way is much harder as it requires a lot of work. Sure I want to lay in the bed at night eating oreos and doritos but that will just make me fat. I would rather buy the health bars and good for you snacks. I will survive this and then go home to my much more normal and appreciated life.

New Wrinkle by Inmate #2

Yesterday our quarter changed and the unit officers bid on units and based on a set of criteria who gets what - well our day officer went to midnights and we got a new day officer. Officer Harness - hard ass to a lot of us- is now our night time officer - he works 12-8 am - yesterday at 6:29 am he went around and turned on the lights in every room and woke everyone up and said get up and get your rooms ready (for inspection). Funny thing is - the cleaning closet doesn't open until 7 am or after - there must have been a lot of people (me included - I emailed the Warden) who complained because today he waited until 6:59 am before he started this nonsense. At 8 am - he came back around with the new day officer and made a big deal about my bed not being cleaned off - the room was cleaned - double mopped and dusted so I don't know what his problem was but evidently - I am not allowed to act like my room is my home - I am praying that sometime this week I get transferred to CC5 - I am always inspection ready and the inspectors NEVER come at 8 am - I know the rules say inspection ready by 7:30 am but I am allowed to layback down with a cover - and the day officer went around and made evreyone leave the lights on until she had inspected every room - my haedache was a monster by the time we were allowed to turn our lights off.  This place isn't just a prison - it is a torture chamber -.