I have to wonder where the programming money is going. We were locked down more than half of 2025, so toward the end of the year, Education distributed two ACE packets on household budgeting and beginning vocabulary. There was no real instruction. They just wanted to get their numbers up. I am eligible for FSA credits, and I’ve only been able to take one class in all of 2025. Yet in SENTRY, it shows I attended three! We were locked in at those times. (A drug education class that began in June only had two of its six classes by the end of the year.)
When we’re on lockdown, we only get one hour out Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You have to decide if you use it for a shower or to call or email your family. And sometimes we aren’t let out at all. The most commonly cited reason right now is that the SHU is full. And it’s full due to so many check-ins — people who will do anything to escape this hell hole.
Meanwhile, we only had eight linen changes in 2025 due to the lockdowns. Access to the law library has been severely compromised as well. And the administration has removed or withheld numerous BOP/McKean policies, etc. that we need to file our grievances. Grievances also are hard to file because unit staff don’t do their daily rounds during lockdowns, and the executive team doesn’t do its required weekly rounds. If they do happen to come by, they won’t accept BP-8s through the cell door. They say to come to open house — which we can’t during a lockdown! And 95% of the time, electronic copouts are not answered.
Medical: I had an ultrasound in June for a mass around my belly button. It could be a tumor or hernia. It’s growing and it hurts! As of Dec. 30, I’ve never been told the results. They just keep telling me I’m “on the schedule.” And if any inmate has an emergency, heaven help you. The COs always assume we are high. They drag their feet or act aggressive.
Employment: Only 10% of us actually have jobs that pay. The other 90% are assigned to “ghost” details. In other words, we are only employed on paper.
Books and mail: McKean has a one book/publication a day policy. That means that if one of my magazines arrives on the same day as a book, both are returned. And 99% of the time, no rejection slip is issued. So, we have no idea our materials have been sent back.