"And not only so, but we glory in troubles and problems,
knowing that these things help us to develop patience."
Romans 5:3
What began forty-three days ago as a "Lockdown" has turned into a big inconvenience for everyone...
knowing that these things help us to develop patience."
Romans 5:3
What began forty-three days ago as a "Lockdown" has turned into a big inconvenience for everyone...
The announcement that was given on the morning of February 17th for all inmates to remain in our cells until further notice, was alarming. A lockdown in a prison is usually a warning that something bad is going on. Either we're getting ready for an unexpected search for contraband, there's a major disturbance of some kind happening now (such as a riot), or something else that's very serious has just occurred (such as an escape).
For us prisoners, a lockdown means disruption and uncertainty. We're all wondering what's going on. Is there trouble? How long will the lockdown last? There's a deep sense of uneasiness and fear. Routines and plans for the day come to a stop. Worry starts to settle in.
Those of us who are doing time know from experience just how volatile life can be in a place like this. One minute we could be going about our business, while the next minute we're ordered to return to our assigned housing units, "As soon as possible!"
And now, forty-three days have passed since the initial call of a lockdown was made. At the time, many of New York State's correction officers walked off the job, or just didn't show up for work. Which then caused our Governor to call out the State's National Guard to replace the prison personnel who were missing. Hence, the emergency lockdown.
According to a front-page article in the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper for Friday, March 14, 2025, it read, "State Fires More than 2,000 Corrections Officers after Strike." The article then went on to say that the strike began on February 17th when, "Over 4,000 corrections officers walked off the job." Also, how the walkout "forced the state to bring in 7,000 National Guard troops to run the prisons."
And now, forty-three days later, while the Governor insists that the strike is over, things have not exactly returned to "business as usual." Here at Shawangunk, as I reported in other journal entries, although I think we made out better than many of the state's other prisons, we still do not have weekday visiting privileges or evening Bible study classes. And all our college classes have been discontinued and remain as such.
Nevertheless, life goes on. Our weekend church services have resumed. The recreation yards have reopened. Most of our school classes and our vocational shops are back in operation. Yet there remains an uneasiness because there are talks of yet another strike looming on the horizon. I hope it's not true. But we'll see.
For me, on a personal note, while the strike was a disruption and a nuisance, I saw it as a spiritual training exercise. As a follower of Jesus, it was yet another opportunity to learn patience, which is a big prerequisite for every Christian. It was also a time for my faith to be stretched to a new limit, and thereby grow even more.
End of story!
D.B.
For us prisoners, a lockdown means disruption and uncertainty. We're all wondering what's going on. Is there trouble? How long will the lockdown last? There's a deep sense of uneasiness and fear. Routines and plans for the day come to a stop. Worry starts to settle in.
Those of us who are doing time know from experience just how volatile life can be in a place like this. One minute we could be going about our business, while the next minute we're ordered to return to our assigned housing units, "As soon as possible!"
And now, forty-three days have passed since the initial call of a lockdown was made. At the time, many of New York State's correction officers walked off the job, or just didn't show up for work. Which then caused our Governor to call out the State's National Guard to replace the prison personnel who were missing. Hence, the emergency lockdown.
According to a front-page article in the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper for Friday, March 14, 2025, it read, "State Fires More than 2,000 Corrections Officers after Strike." The article then went on to say that the strike began on February 17th when, "Over 4,000 corrections officers walked off the job." Also, how the walkout "forced the state to bring in 7,000 National Guard troops to run the prisons."
And now, forty-three days later, while the Governor insists that the strike is over, things have not exactly returned to "business as usual." Here at Shawangunk, as I reported in other journal entries, although I think we made out better than many of the state's other prisons, we still do not have weekday visiting privileges or evening Bible study classes. And all our college classes have been discontinued and remain as such.
Nevertheless, life goes on. Our weekend church services have resumed. The recreation yards have reopened. Most of our school classes and our vocational shops are back in operation. Yet there remains an uneasiness because there are talks of yet another strike looming on the horizon. I hope it's not true. But we'll see.
For me, on a personal note, while the strike was a disruption and a nuisance, I saw it as a spiritual training exercise. As a follower of Jesus, it was yet another opportunity to learn patience, which is a big prerequisite for every Christian. It was also a time for my faith to be stretched to a new limit, and thereby grow even more.
End of story!
D.B.