A New Job

On July 14 I was officially assigned to the prison's kitchen...

It's a long story of how this came about after working for many years as a "mobility guide" for the inmates who are legally blind, and especially as an aide to the men who are in a special cell block called the "Intermediate Care Program (E-North)." I love these guys. And for me, a man who lives in the prison's general population, to be permitted to go into this restricted area (E-North) and be trusted to care for such fragile and needy men, is an honor. It's also very gratifying.

Yet, things happened very fast, and I ended up getting reassigned to the kitchen. I was also given a security clearance to be here. The change was sudden. In addition, I never went to what is known as the "Program Committee." This Committee meets with an inmate to determine where he is going to work, or if he will be assigned to school or placed in a vocational shop to learn a trade. And every man, unless he is medically restricted, or is doing a long term of cell confinement because of disciplinary infraction, is expected to have a program.

In my case, having a school program is not an option because I already have a high school diploma. But for now, while I am already assigned to the kitchen, I am still awaiting a medical clearance, which is required. Then, once I am deemed to be in reasonably good health with no communicable diseases, I will be summoned to report for work to begin my new job.

D.B.