Post 2 (12:00 pm) Dear world...(sharing)...Earlier this year I spent 57 days in jail in Central North Correctional Facility in Penetanguishene. Wearing an orange t-shirt and orange shirt, or orange jumpsuit, every day. Spending probably 25 days locked down which means you are stuck in your cell with your cell mate the entire day, usually in bursts or 2 or 3 at a time. If there is a staff shortage (every long weekend, every nice weekend in summer). Or if there is reason to suspect somewhere someone might have managed to procure a useable weapon. It sucked. But it was ok. It was an amazing lesson in psychology, society, justice, group welfare, relationship (you and your cell mate, and past cell mates), and personal conduct. I got told by most I didnt belong there (I agree), I got told by many that I was the only person they met who said they were enjoying the jail experience (NOT all of the time!!!). And I made 57 friends in those 57 days. (Jail is separated into Ranges of 32 people which have a common area, and 16 attached cells adjacent to the common room. 8 downstairs, eight upstairs, with a walkway at the top of the stairs that is 25 paces across. Back and forth 80 times being 1km of exercise.). The occupants of the range come and go as there are transfers to a work range or other facilities, or to separate people who scuffle, or cause scuffles, or are involved in a scuffle. semi regularly, you get outside for 40 minutes of yard time. A cement triangular courtyard with a basketball net near one end. a set group of guys plays basketball, and you dont get to play unless a set player drops out, and you have proven yourself worthy. (I am NOT a basketball star). I did end up getting to play a few times on days that were more fool around than serious 4 on 4, because the 4 on 4 guys were having a big argument about how much jail ball rules were allowed to be used (random physical contact in basketball, that it affect the play is not necessarily required. they do try to keep the violence within the spirit of the game however). My experience was to be a laughing stock, but that was OK, cause I laughed at myself too. It made many of the guys feel better that nobody could consistently beat me at chess, and nobody EVER beat me if there was something on the game, like a sticky bun, or one of tomorrow mornings pancakes PLUS some of the syrup. And then when we started playing soccer, turned out I was a star goalie, fearless, and indestructible (the most necessary traits in jail house soccer.). I earned many of the guys respect from that, especially the ones that had felt my wrath on the chess board! :-). And when they heard I was 49 most of them would not believe it. (I was usually the second oldest guy there, out of 32, but there were a couple of brief stays that knocked me down to 3rd for a few days or so). during the day (7:30am to 6:30 p.m. you are locked out of your cell into the common room. There are two common showers behind half walls, and a common urinal and toilet behind another half wall, underneath the walkway out front of the cells upstairs. You MAY not use the toilet while anyone is eating, or you WILL receive a DEFAS (a whopping on the side of the head by several range mates with their shoes on their hands. I almost got that my first day after dinner, because I didnt know. One guy had his shoe on his hand already. A short and fast guy. I pointed out that I didnt know, that I was innocent, and that I was rehabilitated, and at that, everyone laughed and my ears were saved a ringing. They stood down, forgiving my unknowing indiscretion. (there were three guys eating late after everyone else, and I didnt know. On the days you are locked down you are served your meals in your cell. the single rubber bendable spoon-fork you get is shirked by most in favor of white plastic spoons that are coveted, because you are then in control of the cleanliness of your own utensil. they are contraband and if the guards find them, they take them. yet they come from within the facility, so I dont get that. and they get handed down to people after you leave. I was lucky and got a new one from a batch that came all at once, as far as I know. (it got VERY cleaned just in case). Getting out day was a release. but at the same time I felt like seeing no-one, because you come out feeling embarrassed, even if you didnt belong there. and hurt that society would take your most prized possession away. But also thoughtful, of all the things you have seen, and learned. The rapid introduction to people you have to share with, get along with, trust to some extent, survive with. The choosing by fate of a cell mate you have to share a cell with, a toilet and sink open to the room with, your privacy with. 57 days. My punishable act (in case you were wondering) was not playing the courts game at the pace and manner in which they want me to. They say...give us this documentation this way. I say here it is. They say not good enough, I say ok, ill change it, I didnt, then they put me in jail. Contempt of court, I guess. And that is valid. In my regards, I dont have any respect for the court system in matters of family dispute resolution legally and affordably when there is not the money equally available to both sides to fund getting it resolved fairly by lawyers. EPIC fail Canada. There should be a pre-court information gathering before the battle starts, and couples with less than a set amount should be forced into arbitration if mediation cant resolve their disputes. At any rate, the court certainly did not act in a way that has best served the interests of my kids. But they would say the same thing. The difference being they have the gun, and pulled the trigger. I got to spend 57 days in jail, instead of working at SMDHU (the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit) i ntheir IT department, making money. And the courts PRIMARY concern, the best interests of the children were CERTAINLY not served by that decision that day. Anyways, I am a graduate of psych 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501. Thanks legal system. And none the worse for wear. And not tarnished by the experience, although it did make me a little shy for a little while. (thats done now). Cheers, Alistair Ajames Riddoch
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 17:37:07 +0000
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