Powder Keg Penitentiary Get Ready for Explosion
Tension, stress and administrative indifference fills every corner of the maximum security Souza-Baranowski correction center, a level 6 institution in Massachusetts.
Men are routinely locked in their cells because of constant modified movement and emergencies. On February 27th a fire was started by an inmate in his cell.
The fire was started in a disciplinary detention unit. Sounds from inmates could be heard yelling through air vents. Screams like a lunatic asylum. Cruel deep voices from their cells. And drugs, contraband, messages and weapons are regularly fished through the toilet system between cellblocks. Most housing units are cesspools of violence, despair and gang activities. Massachusetts prisons are dysfunctional. With the lowest prison population in 35 years - just 6000 incarcerated - a massive budget 750 million (FY2023), there is no excuse other than administrative incompetence. Massachusetts prisons have substituted technology for humanity. Incarcerated people are warehoused. WiFi allows prisoners to be distracted with free phone calls, email, streaming services and other technology. But, food is served on wet unsanitary trays. Housing units are filthy. Inmate workers don't work - and resent being told anything. There is a sullen indifference that influences every aspect of life behind bars. There is a war on personal property. Inmates no longer are allowed many essential privileges taken for granted over years, like yard recreation, education, programming and many things the public feel prisoners naturally receive. Mass incarceration provided this country an essential jobs program. Those days are over. Correction unions, rank and file employees of these institutions no longer feel job security. Prisons are closing. The latest prison to close in Massachusetts is MCI-Concord, the states oldest institution built in 1878. Correction officers are dejected, insecure and under-appreciated. Always a thankless job, it was a path to a stable middle-class life. Stable income, benefits and a pension. The American dream. But, America is no longer furiously pursuing mass incarceration. Massachusetts correction facilities are gripped by apathy. A routine of breaking up fights and managing thousands of inmates who demand constant attention. Managing a prison population is complicated, nuanced. Guards believe prisoners no longer face real consequences for crimes. Many correction officers feel prisoners are living their best lives behind bars. Incarcerated individuals feel warehoused. There is nothing but hopeless despair. No education, recreation or programming. Modified movement keep these institutions locked down. Much of this is the result of pandemic rules. Prison officials learned they can get away with modified movement and taking of essential privileges. Covid-19 emergency protocols taught prison officials how far they can go controlling prison populations. Today, prisoners live with much less than they have had in decades. But, there is technology, free phone calls and isolation.