In July, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced the budget-related closings of two very totally different most safety males’s prisons upstate. There was Nice Meadow Correctional Facility, which had earned the nickname Gladiator College due to its excessive variety of cuttings, stabbings and assaults. And there was Sullivan, the comparatively “candy” correctional facility the place I had been housed for practically 4 years.
I arrived at Sullivan with about 25 years of jail underneath my belt, so I used to be at all times going to look over my shoulder. However this place had a unique tempo. There was little or no violence. A lot of the normal inhabitants knew each other from different prisons, and we had a way of neighborhood. This allowed me to focus extra on my training and self-development. Even the cells have been bigger than common, with cold and hot water, a lukewarm radiator to fight the chilly, and just a little window to open or shut by turning a small knob.
I heard concerning the closure proper after an inspiring go to with my spouse and my honorary mom, who I’d met 25 years prior by way of an advert I positioned for a pen pal.
The Sullivan announcement put a short lived halt to some short-term targets I’d set, reminding me as soon as once more that I’ve no management over my life. My ideas grew to become consumed with questioning. I questioned what jail I’d be transferred to and if the transition could be clean. I questioned how relocation would have an effect on my spouse’s and household’s visits due to distance and funds. I additionally questioned if I’d lose the 14 faculty credit I’d gathered towards my affiliate diploma.
I used to be drafted out of Sullivan on Sept. 19. My ultimate vacation spot was Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill, however like many others, I needed to undergo Inexperienced Haven’s transit block first. This males’s lockup in Stormville had taken on an incredible load from Downstate Correctional Facility when that jail was closed in 2022.
What I assumed could be not more than a three-day holdover at Inexperienced Haven turned out to be a 12-day punishment. Nothing may’ve ready me for the inhumane situations my friends and I needed to endure.
I was escorted to H-Block by an officer I knew from years prior. As we walked down a tier that holds 42 prisoners, the scent of smoke and the sound of screaming assaulted my senses. I made eye contact with each staring face from inside the cells I handed. All of us have been in search of a well-recognized good friend or foe. Security is at all times primary.
I used to be shocked at how disgusting my cell was. Guys had used toothpaste, meals and even feces to write down gang graffiti on the partitions and ceiling. The bathroom hadn’t been cleaned in what seemed like months, and the sink was black with dust, previous meals and moist rest room paper. I used to be afraid to the touch something. Had the officer not slammed the gate behind me, I might’ve refused to remain.
The loud chatter quieted if somebody yelled a gang cadence that required the opposite members to reply and introduce themselves. Each set of the Bloods and Crips did this, making their presence identified.
Whereas this was occurring, I used to be pacing forwards and backwards, attempting to get an anxiousness assault in verify as a result of I used to be a heartbeat away from kicking the partitions and yelling like a madman for the officer to get me out of that cell. The years I’d spent in Sullivan had sheltered me from simply how dangerous issues are in prisons now.
After gathering my ideas, I positioned the bedroll I’d carried underneath one arm on the mattress — the one clear floor in my cell.
I didn’t have any of my possessions. My garments — and the opposite few issues I personal on this world — had been shipped on to Shawangunk. I had deliberate to sacrifice no matter washcloth or towel I used to be issued to clean the cell clear, however neither was supplied.
I acquired one bedsheet, one torn and burned blanket, one roll of bathroom paper and a small toothbrush with no toothpaste. I assumed there had been a mistake, however I overheard different guys complaining about the identical factor. It grew to become obvious that this was normal difficulty.
Determined, I salvaged a discarded plastic glove that was mendacity on the tier ground and cleaned the bathroom and sink with it. I cleaned the partitions as greatest as I may with my solely sheet. I used to be utilizing a small, motel-sized cleaning soap, quietly gagging by way of all of it. I may need fainted had something dripped on my pores and skin or face.
Earlier than the night time was over, extra prisoners got here on totally different buses from additional up north, like Attica, Clinton and Auburn. This meant extra gang calls, extra loud conversations and extra joyful reunions amongst previous mates. As a result of males screamed all by way of the night time, I used to be unable to sleep for greater than two hours. I did numerous praying to go dwelling, sitting on the sting of my mattress and watching the roaches run up and down the partitions.
During my first 72 hours at Inexperienced Haven, I needed to keep in my cell. That meant no cellphone calls, no showers and no kiosk to ship and obtain messages from my family members.
I used to be allowed a bathe after that point handed, however I nonetheless didn’t have a towel, a change of garments, contemporary underclothing or bathe slippers. I used to be anticipated to only leap barefoot into what seemed like mildew, wash with an previous, water-logged bar of cleaning soap, drip dry, and placed on the identical filthy garments. Out of anger and disgust, I slammed my cell gate shut.
I used to be confused about why I used to be nonetheless in transit to a jail solely 45 minutes away. I used to be offended at my friends for singing Lil Durk, Maxwell and reggae songs as a substitute of constructing calls for for the fundamental necessities like toothpaste and adjustments of garments.
One particular person in my space, attributable to his lack of ability to articulate his frustration, acted out the one means he knew how: He set a fireplace. I assumed this man was loopy once I first noticed the glint of a giant flame reflecting off of the housing unit window in entrance of our cells. However when the officers got here to place out the fireplace, the person used their consideration to complain about how he hadn’t been in a position to take a bathe for seven days. I didn’t agree together with his technique, however I understood. Others inspired his habits, however I sat on the sting of my mattress, unhappy, with my head in my palms.
The remainder of my friends solely appeared involved with the tobacco and artificial marijuana that they rolled up in writing paper. They have been vigorous of their complaints, however as soon as they acquired their palms on what they wished, they’d fall again till they wanted extra of what they have been fiending for.
Each day, a brief man from the Sumner initiatives in Brooklyn who weighed not more than 130 kilos would scream at 3 a.m., begging for a sprinkle of tobacco and a light-weight. He’d argue with the opposite guys he had simply woken up, telling them how he’d kick their asses when he was out of his cell. His irrational habits made it clear to me that he was struggling.Fortunately, when he got here out, he at all times apologized and would inform some joke to get everybody laughing.
I’m 50 years previous, and I’ve been incarcerated since I used to be 20. With my worsening well being situations, I felt ache in my again and decrease stomach, however I didn’t converse up for concern of prolonging the transit course of. Within the 12 days it took me to get by way of Inexperienced Haven, I may’ve walked to Shawangunk with the shackles on. Actually, if that was an choice, I might’ve performed it.
When it was lastly time to depart, I refused to sigh in aid till the shuttle bus exited the gates. The results of Sullivan shutting down hadn’t sunken in but, however my transit expertise satisfied me that closing Downstate was a foul factor. That jail labored on schedule, and not less than it was clear. At Inexperienced Haven, males are fast to lash out with violence due to their frustration. They really feel there’s nothing to lose. That complete setup is unsafe for prisoners passing by way of and safety workers alike.
Strolling into Shawangunk, I used to be ashamed of how I smelled and seemed. I felt like I had been rescued from some horrible catastrophe. My voice cracked whereas I defined my again and abdomen ache to the nurse. She instructed me that I’d be scheduled to see a physician. I used to be grateful to listen to that.
As soon as I used to be performed with medical, I went to a housing unit the place my friends rapidly gave me new underwear, cleaning soap, lotion, bathe sneakers and clear state-issued greens. Earlier than sending some emails, calling my spouse, and letting my household know I made it safely to my vacation spot, I took a protracted scorching bathe. I couldn’t wash the switch expertise away, however not less than I’d survived the unexpected obstacles positioned earlier than me attributable to Sullivan’s closure.
LaMarr W. Knox is serving 62 ½ years to life at Shawangunk Correctional Facility. He has a time commutation utility pending earlier than Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The general public info workplace of the New York State Division of Corrections and Group Supervision acknowledged that it “transfers all incarcerated people to different state correctional amenities primarily based on their safety classification, in addition to medical and psychological well being wants.” Additionally they pointed to Directive #4917 and Directive #3081 in response to particular questions concerning the described situations in Inexperienced Haven, together with cell situations and entry to primary provides.
