tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20631626717052083582024-03-13T09:14:09.461-07:00PrisonInmatesLifeThis is a blog from the inside, authored for all who will be affected by the prison industrial complex, and to show how taxes are being wastefully used. It seeks to provide services that are not being met- to educate and inform from a prisoner's perspective about the Mississippi prison system and prison life in general, to give an accurate account and dispel false ideas of what prison is like.Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-48032853217771267402014-05-27T09:18:00.000-07:002014-05-27T09:18:42.623-07:002014 Mississippi Summer Package Program
Here we are again. We've cycled back around, the days are longer,
it's hotter outside, and if you're in Mississippi you know that it can
feel like you're trying to breathe through a wet dishrag. Of course,
most everyone has dishwashers these days, but you get the idea.
Prisoners in Mississippi look forward to this time of year, though. Why?
Because it's time to order the Summer Package.
Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-90178522089212988642014-03-24T09:49:00.000-07:002014-03-24T09:49:45.848-07:00How To Eat An Elephant
I realize that I do not talk about it often, but religion and
spirituality are topics that I am very interested in and drawn to.
Through my own journey I have come to my particular beliefs, and I do
not claim to have a monopoly on truth. I became unitarian universalist
because of their tolerance for all belief systems that are not harmful.
Most people aren't even aware of this group, but Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-29293454851684734952014-02-04T11:19:00.000-08:002014-02-04T11:19:17.880-08:00“My daughter is to study with a criminal?” An experiment at a university in Poland
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Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-1133873342139914212014-01-18T09:41:00.000-08:002014-01-18T09:53:47.599-08:00Inmates became friends with homeless dogs- shared fate
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Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-68152946240753454712014-01-12T02:25:00.000-08:002014-01-12T02:25:21.296-08:00Counting Costs
Mississippi gets a bad reputation for so many things- obesity, heart
disease, poor education, a 20% poverty rate. But sometimes we get things
right. Did you know that the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman
was the first penal institution in the U.S. to permit conjugal visits?
It's true! They also call them "extended family visits," the "three-day
house," or -among the prisoners- Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-30237262165169693842013-12-20T11:53:00.001-08:002013-12-20T11:53:47.780-08:00Close enough for government work...
If you are familiar with my history from the blog posts here, then
please excuse me for repeating myself. For those of you who do not know,
the first place I was housed after being sentenced and being processed
through Central Mississippi Correctional Facility was Unit 17 at
Parchman, MS. To the best of my knowledge, this is where they still
carry out executions of those condemned by the Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-29780004214265807482013-11-26T08:37:00.000-08:002013-11-26T08:37:36.252-08:00New services (coming soon)
One thing I have wanted to do with the blogs since their inception is to
vet products and services for those of you who have friends and loved
ones in the DOC system. Next year will be my 16th consecutive year as a
prisoner of MDOC, so I have an idea of what guys want and what they
might need to help them do their time more easily.
I would like to see your feedback on this particular Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-32167454100972604672013-11-22T08:39:00.001-08:002013-11-22T08:39:34.481-08:00Update on Wilkinson County Correctional Facility
Thanksgiving Day is on my mind as I write this. What are you thankful
for? We shouldn't need a special day to think about what we have to be
thankful for, but it isn't a bad thing. I am thankful for my loved ones.
I'm thankful that the atmosphere here at the facility seems to be
improving in certain respects and only isolated incidents have occurred. I
am thankful that Warden Shaw seems Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-5251266712703944452013-10-24T06:31:00.001-07:002013-10-24T06:31:10.666-07:00How to send money to a MS inmate from abroad
A bit of explanation. The current admin of this blog does not live in the USA but in Poland. And while I was reviewing old posts to check whether the information we had provided was still accurate, it came to my attention that the website Mississippi Department of Corrections advises to use when sending money to inmates, www.inmatedeposits.com, cannot be accessed from abroad. I got a huge 403 Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-22277822728106920092013-10-22T09:16:00.000-07:002013-10-22T10:03:07.768-07:002013 Holiday Package Program
It's that time of year again, folks. That's right -holiday packages!
There are few things we have that we look forward to in prison. Visits,
mail, commissary...and holiday packages. If you're wanting to do
something for your friend or loved one in the Mississippi DOC, read on
and we'll try to guide you in the right direction.
There are 3 ways to place an order.
1) ONLINE at: Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-20047058034680101552013-09-09T10:47:00.000-07:002013-09-09T10:47:20.812-07:00Prison glossary - State issue
State issue: A term used loosely by prisoners and staff to refer to
anything the prison is required by policy to provide a prisoner. Some
items -such as toilet tissue, soap, toothpaste, and razor- are passed
out on a weekly or biweekly basis. Other items -like clothes, bed
sheets, towels- are issued only once every 6 months or yearly (if that,
depending on where the prisoner is Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-58789522565075699732013-08-18T10:29:00.000-07:002013-08-18T10:57:13.491-07:00CCA... MTC... Different Name, Same Thing
I was recently informed to be careful as to what I write for my loved
ones to post here on my blogs, that people could view it negatively. I
will continue writing for these blogs, and I will continue to express my
views. If someone thinks it's a crime for me to speak my mind, please
feel free to immigrate to China. I do not express hatred or negativity
on my blogs because I don't harbor Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-32200900598188438982013-07-16T10:58:00.001-07:002013-07-16T10:58:36.955-07:00Prison Glossary- Mailroom
Mailroom is where all incoming and outgoing mail is processed. Usually the
mailroom is staffed by two or three people whose sole job is processing
the mail, which can be a task. Depending on the facility, incoming
packages are fluoroscoped like at an airport. Letters to prisoners are
opened and checked for contraband or suspicious material relating to
criminal activity. Unless the prisoner Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-24419044648281347722013-06-26T11:45:00.000-07:002013-06-26T11:45:12.429-07:00Latest Rulings in Mississippi Following Miller v. Alabama
There have been a couple of cases on appeal in Mississippi that have
been decided by the Court of Appeals recently. The cases of Terry Hye,
Jr. and Lester Lavon Parker, Jr. both are directly related to the
interpretation of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Miller v.
Alabama by the courts here in Mississippi.
Hye had appealed his conviction on the grounds of jury instructions that
Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-39754569304147337212013-06-20T10:54:00.002-07:002013-06-20T10:54:37.300-07:00Prison Glossary - ILAP Request Forms
ILAP Request Forms-
These are used by a MDOC prisoner to request services from the Inmate
Legal Assistance Program (ILAP) through the law library of their respective
facility. Services listed on the form are:
Packet on Post-Conviction Collateral Relief
42 U.S.C.A. 1983 Form (civil litigation)
28 U.S.C.A. 2254 Habeas Corpus Form
Conference because I cannot read or write.
Conference Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-16274322809715373572013-06-19T12:24:00.001-07:002013-07-16T10:59:12.499-07:00Prison Glossary - Law library
Law library-
This varies from facility to facility, and usually the space set aside
for the law library is only minimally large enough to pass as such. The
law library is part of a set of standards that statutory law outlines
the prison must provide, such as access to courts and access to
counsel. There will be a certain amount of legal research a prisoner
must be able to do, and many Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-44104070445252576012013-06-17T10:54:00.002-07:002013-06-17T10:54:24.016-07:00Review of "By Hook or Crook" just published on The Writing on The Wall
Steven's friend, Chris Roy, has published two books now and Steven
wanted to review them and let the public know about these books. The
following is a link to Steven's review of "By Hook or Crook: the
Criminal Ventures of Razor and Blondie", Chris' breakout novel. We hope
you'll read the review and decide to give the book a try. Steven will be
following up with a review of Chris Roy's Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-1072083948332836732013-06-16T09:42:00.001-07:002013-06-16T09:42:10.485-07:00Prison Glossary- Sick Call
Sick Call/ Sick Call Request: If a prisoner is having any kind of medical
issue and needs medical attention, unless it is an emergency, the
prisoner is required to fill out a Sick Call Request form. This form
asks for the prisoner's name, DOC#, housing area, nature of the
complaint, and if the prisoner agrees to a $6.00 co-pay fee, if they are
not indigent. The Sick Call Request is given Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-80305106490106636512013-06-15T10:30:00.001-07:002013-06-15T10:31:00.404-07:00Prison Glossary - Places - Clinic
Clinic: This is the name of the medical department where a prisoner is
taken when they have a medical issue. Unless it is an emergency, the
prisoner must complete a Sick Call Request form and turn it in. When it
is processed the prisoner will be called out for Sick Call, varying on
the prisoner's housing situation. The clinic at WCCF is stocked with the
equipment to do triage and handle allSteven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-30094165207980592942013-06-14T11:11:00.005-07:002013-06-14T11:11:59.226-07:00Prison Glossary - Places - Dayroom
Dayroom- In a general population setting, the dayroom area is outside of
the cells in a central area of the pod or zone. Often there are a
couple of tables, and maybe a TV to watch or a microwave, but not much else.
Please also check this post with a description of a dayroom at WCCF.
Print PageSteven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-46474646117963759422013-06-13T09:50:00.000-07:002013-06-14T11:12:36.105-07:00Prison Glossary - Places - Control tower
Control tower- These "towers" are inside the prison and are manned by a
guard who observes two or three pods and controls the cell doors, cell
lights, pod lights and pod access doors with an electronic control
panel.
Please also check this post with a description of a control tower at WCCF.
Print PageSteven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-552711749027744792013-06-12T12:06:00.003-07:002013-06-14T11:13:20.064-07:00Prison Glossary - Places - Housing Unit/ Section
Housing Unit/Section- These are made up of groups of pods. For example,
if C-pod, D-pod and E-pod are accessed from the hallway through the same
"sally port" and observed by the same control tower, this would be
considered Housing Unit/Section CDE.
Please also check this post with a description of a Housing Unit at WCCF.
Print PageSteven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-84784942913885745692013-06-11T09:28:00.002-07:002013-06-14T11:15:26.130-07:00Prison Glossary - Places - Pod
Pod- This is a term used by private prisons mostly. A pod is made up of
at least twenty-four cells and up to thirty-two cells, with a central dayroom area and a set of shower stalls all of which can be observed
from a control tower. In state prisons, pods are often referred to alternately as zones.
Please also check this post with a description of a pod at WCCF.
Print PageSteven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-16385974834508835942013-06-10T11:05:00.000-07:002013-06-10T11:05:10.758-07:00Prison Glossary- General Population
General population- Prisoners in the general prison population are
housed in that setting because they have been classified "open" C-custody or any of the less restrictive custodies (B- med. & min.; A- med. & min.). In this environment prisoners can be around those
prisoners of the same custody status or those of less restricted status without being in restraints. Prisoners classified Steven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2063162671705208358.post-39433366962870450702013-06-09T03:12:00.002-07:002013-06-14T11:15:46.789-07:00Prison Glossary - Yard Call
Yard call- Respective of the housing of the prisoner, this refers to
mandated recreation time. In general population where prisoners are
housed two per cell, they are to be allowed out in a dayroom area or
outside of the housing unit, in a gymnasium or on an actual yard on the
prison grounds. A yard on the prison grounds sometimes has things like a
volleyball net, maybe a basketball goal orSteven Farrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02905142381576397233noreply@blogger.com0