It is rare for a cell to remain vacant and unoccupied in a maximum-security prison...
I know that here in New York, prison space is in demand. City jails, such as the notorious Riker's Island, have waiting lists of recently sentenced inmates who are awaiting bed space.
So I'm surprised that the cell next to mine remains empty. The man who previously lived in it, and died of a massive heart attack while at work, had all his personal property carted away. I thought the cell would already be occupied by someone else. Yet it remains empty.
I believe it's because of the Coronavirus that no cell moves have been taking place. In here men are changing cells all the time, depending on their respective work assignments, or other factors such as parole, transfers, or men who had to return to court.
Thankfully, the man in the other cell alongside mine is a decent and respectful neighbor. He's a "gangbanger" who is well known in the system. But on the opposite side, that cell remains a stark reminder of a soul now gone.
D.B.
So I'm surprised that the cell next to mine remains empty. The man who previously lived in it, and died of a massive heart attack while at work, had all his personal property carted away. I thought the cell would already be occupied by someone else. Yet it remains empty.
I believe it's because of the Coronavirus that no cell moves have been taking place. In here men are changing cells all the time, depending on their respective work assignments, or other factors such as parole, transfers, or men who had to return to court.
Thankfully, the man in the other cell alongside mine is a decent and respectful neighbor. He's a "gangbanger" who is well known in the system. But on the opposite side, that cell remains a stark reminder of a soul now gone.
D.B.
