Transcendence

June 3, 2012

 Dear Dee,

Another month down and another year nearly half gone. I think I mentioned to you that my daughter had written to her congresswoman in California, Rep. Barbara Lee, about my transfer request being denied. I had heard from other inmates that letters from politicians can sometimes help persuade the Bureau of Prisons to grant transfers. Barbara Lee’s letter to the BOP made the point that I was denied the transfer due to overcrowding and went on to say, “It is my understanding that this situation no longer obtains.” I am hoping that this is true as her letter makes its way through the system.

 Remember during your visit I told you about our new inmate—81 years old, wheelchair-bound and seemingly unaware of where he is? Well, that night he crapped and peed the bed. A couple of days ago, he wet himself in the middle of the chow hall during lunch. Apparently, he has been at a medical/mental facility for five years and suddenly, someone decided he shouldn’t be there anymore. The larger question to me is, “What is this man doing in a federal prison?” Who benefits from it? Who is protected from him? Where has compassion gone? He belongs in assisted living.

 This month’s issue of Church of the Larger Fellowship’s (CLF) “Quest” newsletter was of particular interest to me. Its theme is Transcendence. It has given me the word to describe what the thrust of my effort in this strange world—to transcend this experience.

 Come As You Are focused on what Rev. Fleck believes is a misinterpretation of biblical text in which it is assumed that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God because of rampant homosexuality. The Bible, he says, makes no such claim. It says God told Abraham that they were destroyed “because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave.” Fleck’s interpretation is that this grievous sin was a lack of hospitality and basic human kindness. I like that.

 And so goeth another Sunday.
Love, Steve

Looking ahead

Note from Dee:

I went to visit Steve in mid-May of 2012 and had two long visits with him. Visiting this prison in the heart of Louisiana (for anyone not nearby) involves flying to either New Orleans or Houston, Texas, and then renting a car for the 3 1/2 hour drive to Oakdale, LA. Visiting days are only on weekends. Most visitors find a motel in a nearby small town and go to the prison about 9 a.m. on Saturday, stay until 4 p.m., and repeat that again on Sunday. Once in the visitor's room, you cannot leave and reenter. It is a large room filled with long rows of chairs facing each other. You must know in advance to bring enough quarters to get lunch, drinks, and snacks from the vending machines. You are not allowed to bring in anything with you except your ID and quarters. There are a few children's books in the room, but nothing else for kids to occupy themselves with.

May 27, 2012

Dear Dee,
Your visit is still resonating a week later. There is something about being with loved ones that transcends being in this place. I'm so grateful that you went to the trouble and expense to come. It has made me stronger for the weeks and months to come.

I'm wondering if you could do some digging on the internet to see if you can come up with some information on what current sex offender laws are in California relative to voting rights, living restrictions, etc. Someone here was just released to Florida where everything is very stringent. He has to undergo a polygraph test every six months, which he has to pay for ($350). Also, he may not live with anyone who has minor children even if they are his own children or grandchildren. Some states will allow you to live with close relatives. While I am hoping to be released to my daughter, K’s, address, I plan to get out of there as quickly as possible as I don’t want her home impacted by invasive searches and things of that sort. So any info you can find would be helpful. It’s still four years away, but I want to get a feel for what’s in store when that time comes.

I really connected with the Chicken Soup  piece written by an inmate who told of this many escapes from prison—through books. It’s what keep me reading, though he consumes about twice as many books as I do—some 300 a year. “Come As You Are” dealt with love and respect and contained sentiments that everyone in a relationship, marriage or otherwise, should take to heart. It stressed that anger was fine as long as you don’t let the sun go down on it; that all horrors such as slavery, murder and genocide flow from a common point: disrespect.

So that's another Sunday letter.
Love, Steve