This section of the OPEEP newsletter, called “A Day in the Life,” is a space to share about the daily lives of students at our partner prison facilities. Our goal with the series is to demystify the everyday lives of incarcerated people and the spaces of prison. We believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to learn more about prisons and the people they house so that we can work against the harmful stereotypes that buttress our country’s carceral state and logics. So thank you for reading and sharing in this work!
Each contribution is written and shared by the student directly. There is some light editing for clarity and space. Email us at opeep@osu.edu or DM @opeep_osu to share your thoughts on this series.
This month’s submission is from J.D., a student at SCI (Southeastern Correctional Institution) in Lancaster.
Wednesday
6:00 - 7:30 AM
I get up and brush my teeth, make a cup of coffee and read a daily lesson from (ACIM), A Course in Miracles. I’ll check my tablet for messages, send a good morning text, and meditate on how I want my day to be.
They are running chow for the compound, but I do not go to the chow hall regularly and never go to breakfast.
8:00 - 10:30 AM
I go to inside Rec (recreation) to the Music room and collaborate and create some music with a few other guys, then head back to my unit to prepare for count.
11:00 AM
Count Time – Use this time to unfinished homework or read.
11:30 AM
Count usually clears by now. I may or may not go to the chow hall to eat lunch when its called depending on what it is. I’ll use some time here to check in on people I associate with. My son is usually just about to get up. He is my bunky and we have a program to go to called The Walking Logs from 1 to 2:30.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Open Office Hours with Professor Cook if it’s her week. If not, back to the Unit to figure out what me and my son will eat for dinner. Take a shower and shave. Prepare for Count at 4pm.
4:00 - 5:00 PM
STANDING Count Time – Use this time to re-check school work for OPEEP class and check messages. After count I try to eat a little something before class.
5:30 - 8:30 PM
OPEEP History Course with OSU Professor Cook
8:30 PM
Back to Unit - Make phone call before they turn the phones off at 8:45pm
9:00 PM
Count Time – Maybe catch some news or listen to some music videos
9:30 PM
Count usually clears. Brush my teeth, tell my son I love him and go to sleep
