JELLY ROLL
BY STEVE KLAUS
The question was posed to me: What do you think about only level threes being able to attend the Jelly Roll concert?
The answer can be complex with many facets. First, I remind myself, I am in prison, and we are guaranteed nothing besides the basics. If people want an improved life in prison, they have to be willing, and in some cases able to prove themselves. By this I mean, be able and willing to follow the code of conduct set forth by this institution. If you cannot do this why should you be able to attend such a special event? What gives you the right to have the same liberties and benefits that others have attained by being model inmates and achieving their level three?
I hear many grumblings from those not being able to attend the concert. Some say it’s not fair, others say it promotes segregation between individuals and groups, while others think that it is their right to go. What I see is quite a bit of entitlement and blaming others for their dilemma. I feel one needs to take a deep long look at themselves and figure out what is keeping them from acquiring a level three, let alone a level two. The blame seems to land on everyone and anything besides themselves. If you are continually in some sort of trouble, fighting, or being taken to the hole should you really get the same privileges as another inmate who follows the rules and creates no issues? Some would say yes, I say no.
To alleviate some tension of not being able to attend the concert in person, OSP televised the event on the in-house network. I think that this is a very fair solution for those unable to attend. Is it as memorable as attending live and in-person? No, but it’s way better than missing out on the whole thing. Did OSP have to do this for those unable to attend? No, but they did and I have heard complaining about that also. It was not live the entire time, the sound was not the best, and it was not zoomed in enough. Is the solution to let everyone attend? No.
OSP has approximately 2000 inmates. There is obviously a staffing shortage happening right now. Would it be wise to allow all 2000 people with all levels of conduct out to the yard to mingle and watch the concert knowing there might not be enough staff to protect both the performers and the inmate population if something happens? Is an incident more or less likely to happen with all levels on the yard? With only level threes on the yard I firmly believe it is a much safer atmosphere for all, and the staff required to safeguard everyone will be less. The reason why it would take less staff is because a level three inmate has proven by their behavior over time, that they are more trustworthy and responsible and only about 1/3 of the inmates are level threes, thus reducing the needed numbers in staff to supervise them.
As mentioned above, one of the reasons given to me for everyone attending is because it promotes segregation between individuals and groups. I understand the argument but again it is not a strong enough reason to let everyone attend. We are all in the same predicament here and some have chosen to improve themselves while others have chosen a different path but expect the same benefits. Is this a true form of segregation? Some would say yes, others maybe. Through my personal lens, I do not think so. It is brought on by one's own behavior and choices rather than race. In this case the incentive levels themselves can also be considered a form of segregation. I view them as a goal rather than a separation tool. If you do not wish to be missing out on events such as concerts, commissary, and fundraisers change your behavior and elevate yourself to a different incentive level and enjoy the benefits. In the real world one is not normally incentivized when exhibiting unacceptable behavior.
In conclusion, I firmly feel that only those who have proven to OSP that they are responsible enough should be able to attend special events such as a concert. Jelly Roll stated he will be back here next year. That gives most inmates the opportunity to attain a higher incentive level and hopefully achieve a level three. I hope to also. I was a level two for the concert and was unable to attend in person along with the majority of the inmates. I have never been in trouble while incarcerated. I am a level two because I have been down for only nine months and did not have enough "time in" to achieve level three yet. I appreciated and enjoyed the concert on TV, and felt it was adequate and acceptable to attending in person. Would I rather have been there, of course, but it was not meant to be, and I accept that. I will be a level three if and when he comes back to OSP. | SK
Good essay.