forces of the greatest nation in the world, the United States of America.
Introduction
It was a beautiful day in May 1991. The sun was bright, and I was on my way to obtain my final discharge out of the US Army. I walked into Building T-61 on Fort McClellan, Alabama. I was on my way to the military retirement section to officially end a wonderful twenty-year military career. My only thoughts at that particular time were completing my out-processing paperwork, clearing my government quarters inspection, signing off post, and driving back home to the beautiful state of North Carolina.
After officially completing all the final requirements, I immediately loaded my family in the car and began the drive home when, suddenly, my mind began to wander all over the place. It dawned on me that I had been secure the past twenty years in the military with a steady income and permanent job. That was rewarding and satisfying and, most of all, guaranteed me a monthly check for my wife and for our two sons.
Wow, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Guess what, dummy! You are unemployed. What are you going to do now? How are you going to support your family on such a small, insufficient retirement check?
As the days went by, I found a small part-time job and applied for schooling at the local community college in Fayetteville, North Carolina, under the GI Bill. This helped support my family, and we were able to survive on more of a fixed income. But I prayed, and continued to pray, that something would come along that was more financially stable for us and, at the same time, what I would enjoy doing. I immediately applied for civil service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; however, they were not hiring at the time. Then the light bulb came on. I told myself, “You spent all those years in the military. Why not use this experience and knowledge in your search for better employment?”
I had a military police background as a military policeman in the service as my secondary military occupation, so I applied for several law enforcement positions in all the surrounding communities and counties. I eventually received a response later that the North Carolina Department of Correction (DOC) was hiring and that if you have had any background, you should apply. I filled out an application, and within a few months, I was called in for an interview with the local prison in our area.
Approximately two months later, I received a certified letter from the Department of Correction for a second interview at the same location. Within a month, I interviewed again for the position of a correctional officer. I was accepted by the prison.
They made me an appointment for a medical, physical, and mental evaluation and a criminal background check.
When these requirements came back in good standing, I was informed to report for my first day of work on a Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. This day I will never forget; it was the seventh day of June 1992.
I began to work and, within a few months, was sent to the correction officers basic course in Wilmington, North Carolina, located on Kure Beach (Fort Fisher) next to the Atlantic Ocean. The total course was six weeks in length. Upon graduating from school, I began working in the prison, no longer requiring another officer as an escort because I was certified by the State of North Carolina. I was on my own and totally responsible for my own actions as an officer. The next day, as I entered the main prison gate, I heard the electric gate slam shut, and then and only then did I realize I was locked up on the inside. Little did I know what I was stepping into.
After looking back twenty-two years and trying to figure out why things in the prison are the way they are, I have come to this conclusion. This is why I am sharing my personal experiences and explaining to everyone what really goes on behind the fences and the razor wire of the prison.
First of all, prison is a very diverse and unique community of its own. It is a community setting that has its own set of rules guided by an approved set of policies and procedures, an area that is mostly secluded from main society and is in most instances out of sight of normal everyday public activities.
However, this small diverse community houses some of the most dangerous, evil, ruthless, and heinous individuals known to our society. These individuals referred to as convicts and inmates are placed here by the court systems for crimes they have been found guilty of, some for the rest of their natural life. This entire area is surrounded by miles of long double fences with razor wire rolled on the ground and on the top of every inch of fence. The entire area has several gun towers on all the corners and on the sides with each tower having a correctional officer assigned with ammunition and weapons in their possession.
These weapons on these towers were a single-barrel pump shotgun, Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum pistol, M&P .40-caliber pistol, and a Ruger Mini-14 rifle. Seem a little much but are effective in keeping the inmate or convict inside and not allowing them to escape in order to protect the safety of the general public. Since my leaving the prison, the towers have been removed, and an electronic fence has replaced the towers with roving patrols around the parameter of the prison.
This is effective but not as effective as eyes on all areas of the fence line at all times.
The number of inmates and convicts housed on the inside of these prisons differ due to the size and location of the prison.
The entire prison is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year, referred to as 24/7. And what goes on behind these fences and the razor wire normally stays there. However, I want everyone to know and understand what it is like “looking from the inside out.”
Chapter 1
Neither Judge nor Jury: Be Fair but Firm
Be Fair but Firm
It was 3:15 a.m., and my alarm clock was sounding reveille, letting me know it was time to jump up and prepare for another day at work. Being extremely tired, I forced myself out of bed and wandered straight to the bathroom for my morning shower. I put on my uniform, packed lunch, and poured myself a large cup of black coffee. With my coffee cup in hand, I started on the twenty-two-mile commute to my destination.
The drive seemed longer than normal that morning, for I was daydreaming of what the day might be like when I arrive. The fog that morning was extra heavy, so I drove extremely slow on the dark backcountry roads. I honestly believe all deer and all of God’s creatures loved to stare into the headlights of my vehicle every morning. One would believe they were waiting to personally greet me each and every morning. Upon arriving in the prison parking lot, I would begin my day by physically checking my pockets and personal belongings to ensure I did not possess any items as my cell phone, pocket knife, or tobacco, which were not authorized inside the prison.
When I arrived at the main gate entrance, the shift officer on the gate would ask to see my identification card and credentials and complete an electronic paddle-search of my body and inspect my personal items prior to authorizing my entrance. This procedure was frustrating but was necessary to ensure that no unauthorized contraband was being allowed inside the prison. A more simplified and effective system could have been implemented. The procedure was discomforting because we were required to remove our coats, belt, and boots; empty our pockets; and turn them all inside out. The problem officers and staff had with this procedure was due to the adverse weather conditions outside. If the temperature happened to be freezing—ice or snow—you were still required to remove your coats, gloves, belt, and boots and empty your pockets.
This requirement was always conducted outside of the building in a small sally port with little to no protection from the wind or the outside elements of the weather. Most staff complained and submitted many suggestions to the superintendent, captains, and the lieutenants; however, it was like talking to a brick wall. This seemed unjustified and unfair to the officers and staff because the inmates were always
