Get it in writing and get there first

After not getting a pass or called for pill call for a couple days, I went to pill call on my own. I waited in line and when I got to the window I asked in front of everybody in line, “I’ve been here 2 days, do you have meds for me?” She responded, “What pills do you take?” I wasn’t going to call out my meds in front of everybody so I said, “I don’t have the names with me, i’ll come back.” I then sent a note requested that my meds be ready so I don’t need to name them publicly. The response came back, “I did not ask you to name your meds”. I knew then that prisons are very wary about what they put in writing. That made me cognizant of the fact that I need to get as much in writing and documented as possible.

In some living situations you have privacy like one man cells or a lockable foot locker. I was in one of these situations at one point so I decided to get KOP meds, that way I didn’t have to wait in the long pill call lines twice a day. One day we had a “shakedown”. This is where officers search living areas for weapons, drugs, stolen personal property, etc. During these searches your “house” is turned upside down. Your persona electronics (TV, radio, electric razor, etc.) are all yours and listen in your property file AND a nurse is there to verify that meds found are current and in your file. To make it easier for the nurses, the searching officers put all of the meds in plain view so they can easily go from bed to bed more quickly.

Inmates are not in the living area during the searches and in many cases, all inmates are places in the rec yard or day room.  When we were allowed to return to the bed areas, there were all the meds, laid out for all to see who pass your area before you get to it. NO concern for confidentiality. None. Wouldn’t it be easy place meds under pillow or mattress? So it’s a good idea to get back to the living area first.