On Monday, I handed a four-page document to the regional BOP staff when they arrived at the facility. It was written with input from several residents and included backup documentation. Since then, changes have started happening—missing blinds in our unit were replaced, I received a new bed after reporting my broken frame, and the long-awaited TV was finally installed in the Dining/TV room. Maintenance was brought in from Brawley that same afternoon and is still working on repairs as of today (Thursday).
Juan Herrera from the RRM in Long Beach has also been onsite, going through AIC files. A resident overheard him instructing staff to prepare an ankle monitor immediately for someone and emphasize that these files should be monitored daily, not weekly. This raises concerns, as residents are often held past their Home Confinement Eligibility Date. My roommate’s HC date is 2/14, and they originally told her they wouldn’t even process her paperwork until that day. But yesterday, she was suddenly called to the Katella office to sign her paperwork.
Lately, the office staff has been watching me more closely. It seems that if you communicate with certain individuals or advocate for others, you attract unwanted attention. Over the past week, I’ve assisted multiple residents in drafting and sending letters regarding their cases. Just the other night, I helped one resident write his Disciplinary Hearing (DHO) letter and another with his Home Confinement request, including their inmate IDs in the letters. I shared these letters via Google Docs.
Yesterday, I handed out Valentine’s cards and small bags of candy to 12 residents I am friendly with. Later that night, around 8:30 PM, my phone was taken by office staff. By 9 PM, they were still searching it, and by 10 PM, I was told I wasn’t getting it back. This morning, while waiting for a UA, I was brought into an office and made to sign an IR. They found the letters in my Google Drive. As a result, I will have no phone for two weeks. Now, I’m waiting to see if they’ll search my vehicle when I return from the job readiness office today.
I take full responsibility for what was found on my phone—I accept the consequences. But that will not stop me from helping others. This fight isn’t over.
