May 18, 2020: Mr. Public at MCI, part one

Friends, Allow me to introduce Inmate Q. Public, a current prisoner at Marion Correctional. His stories will be the focus of some future writings. All of Mr. Public's stories are true and factual. He has agreed to allow me to share his experiences for your benefit; his name changed to protect his identity. This missive will explore Mr. Public's latest interaction with a Corrections Professional known as a Case Manager during his Annual Security Review. Security Reviews are completed in the month you entered the ODRC system. Inmate joined ODRC in May several years ago, some of his reviews have been late and predated to May. During Inmate's first Security Review meeting, he was told that reviews are designed as a comprehensive evaluation of an inmate's disciplinary record, level of participation in programs/pro social activities, education, adjustment to incarceration and risk of recidivism; most of which are unmeasurable, arbitrary elements and subject to interpretation, more on that later. He goes on to explain the process - "When it's time for review, ten or more inmates will line up outside the Case Manager's door, waiting to be reviewed. The review process starts with emergency contact verification followed by a reviews of educational level and job status. Disciplinary and mental health records are discussed. The Case Manager looks up from their Kilroy-like (look it up, youngster) passive-aggressive computer monitor gauntlet designed purposefully to separate us/them and tells you the "Security Review Committee has recommended that you remain at a Level II." (Security levels range from 1 to 5, MCI is a Level I/II facility. Level I and II inmates are housed together in the main facility, the Camp is Level I only.) Bummer, Man. There are significant advantages to being classed as a Level I inmate. Job openings from other institutions often require a Level I classification, additional food boxes, increased monthly State Pay, access to safety sensitive jobs and the pride of being a Level I." Mr. Public tells me he has a life sentence, with the anticipation of parole at some juncture. He spent almost one year in County Jail without incident, six weeks at CRC without incident and was classed as a Level II (-2) before arriving at his current institution. Several years have transpired, Mr. Public has remained incident and disciplinary action free. He has no tickets. Mr. Public makes decisions daily to remain incident free; a spotless record is the result of daily effort, not luck or being institutional-savvy. Inmate has worked as a ABE Tutor, and now is working with the outside public exclusively after having been vetted to work in Security Sensitive areas. He is also involved heavily in pro-social activities, many with outside groups. Inmate is helpful to staff and has saved the life of an offender. Inmate continues, "...each of my Security Reviews has been completed by a different Case Manager, and all have had varied explanations as to why I'm not being dropped to a Level I. I've been told that I haven't seen the Parole Board yet; that I have too much time to be a Level I; and that they (the Case Managers) can only lower so many inmates a year. Each year a different reason, another disappointment." Inmate's latest review yielded yet another, very troubling excuse. "When I asked what I need to do to get to a Level I, the Case Manager told me, "You've only been here since 20xx, we don't know you.". I said my record should speak for itself, to which s/he replied coldly and with the steely-eyed skill of a neurosurgeon, "We have a lot of sociopaths in here." S/he intimated, being careful to not call me a sociopath directly, that I am one, that I was putting on an act. I was dumbfounded, left speechless." Prison will reveal the true person, the base and soul of their personality within two years. The stressors are too strong and constant. Evil will erupt through, criminal behavior will be exhibited and will be reflected in prisoner's records. Those with clean records are considered sociopaths? It takes effort to have a spotless record, to be denied Level I status because of it seems counterintuitive and causes some to develop a 'why bother' attitude. Wouldn't a better system be to reward those with exemplary records Level I status, and increase their level if behavior/attitude/results decline? There are not set criteria for Security Reviews, the decisions are based on mysterious quotas, who you know, how vocal and persistent you are, eventually wearing down the fight and resolve of the Correctional Professionals lowering prisoners just to stop the onslaught of kites/complaints. Make it fair and consistent for everyone, be transparent with guidelines and criteria. Don't penalize those who have unblemished records, support and encourage them. Inmate will appeal to the Warden the decision that was made to keep him at a Level II, the Warden will respond stating that the decision will be upheld. Inmate will then appeal to ORDC Bureau of Classification who will send back a boilerplate letter stating 'The decisions for Security Reviews are left up to the wide discretion of the Warden and Unit Management staff.' The hamster wheel madness of Security Reviews continues for Mr. Public for another year. Stay positive Inmate, stay in your lane, keep your head down, someday this chaos will end. Years ago, ODRC used a point system for security reviews and paroles. The system was known to all, and it worked, everyone was equal, and evaluated on their record. Inmate is looking forward to next year's review and an equitable system that is transparent. He is anticipating the opportunities that a Level I will provide him, opportunities to help others and make a positive impact on society.