On Sept. 28, a cord to the computer was stolen and a fan cord was cut. Inmates did this because we have had no hot water for months and we can’t even cook rice and noodles or melt creamer. So inmates made stingers to heat up our water. (We used to have a hot water tank, then someone said they got burned from it so they put in new ones that don’t get hot enough to melt creamer or cook ramen noodles. Staff just said, “Oh well, don’t buy the stuff that has to be cooked. Or eat it cold!”)
The cord business was caught on camera, but instead of punishing the people who did it, our unit manager is collectively punishing us by closing down the TV rooms and telling us to take care of it ourselves. Our unit manager and case manager have said to multiple people, “I am surprised you all have not taken care of it. You all need to take care of it so they will stop.” Then someone said, “So, you are telling me to fight? If I do, I will go to the SHU. Are you going to stand up and say you told me to fight?” He said, “Oh no, everyone has choices!!!!” He added that is why he is punishing the people who watch TV, because he knows the ones who are cutting the cords don’t watch TV, so maybe someone will get mad enough to fight them and then they will stop.
So now they have created an unsafe environment for all of us, and haven’t punished the ones who tampered with the cords. Our unit manager believes in fight nights and such.