ISCC PRISONERS FORCED OUTSIDE WITHOUT PROPER CLOTHING IN COLD WEATHER FOR HOURS TO ALLOW GRADUATING CADETS TO SEARCH CELLS

At 12:45 pm on Thursday February 2, 2023 (unbeknownst to me as I had on headphones per policy) approximately 25 guards entered Unit F3 at the ISCC, opened cell doors and ordered all prisoners to go to "recreation". As going to recreation is traditionally voluntary (and cancelled more often than not due to staff shortages) and in the winter, usually involved going to the indoor gymnasium or weight room, most prisoners donned basketball shorts, t-shirts and little else. Only when they were forced outside into the snow-covered yard area did they realize the truth, and for those who were not dressed for temperatures in the mid-30's (with light winds making it feel like the low 30's) it was only then did they realize their mistake.

To be clear, a few guards did tell some prisoners they would be going outside, but for some reason, that fact was not communicated to everyone. In my case, a guard came to my cell and said "If you go to rec, make sure to take your I.D.". He then pushed my door closed (not locked) and walked away. Figuring I wasn't going to recreation anyway, I just nodded and put my headphones back on. It wasn't until another guard came to my cell several minutes later and started complaining about me not being ready to leave before he too walked away without explanation. I then asked another prisoner what was going on, and was told we had to evacuate the unit, and go outside while the guards searched. I quickly donned a pair of sweatpants, sweatshirt, state-issued scrubs and a hat and shoes before I was ordered out of my cell and into a hallway where yet more guards - more than 50 in all - were searching prisoners before funneling them towards the yard.

As we were herded outside, many prisoners who work overnight had been asleep were wearing slippers or shower shoes, and in at least one case, no shoes at all. As many prisoners huddled together to stay out of the wind, others threw a football or played basketball on the icy court to stay warm. Of course, as with any group of attention-seeking individuals, a few stripped down to their shorts and ran around like idiots before the cold overwhelmed them. Some prisoners who were well dressed for the cold conditions shed clothing for others to wear to keep relatively warm for the forced three hour tour into a winter wonderland.

There are two small restroom facilities available on the yard, and on more than one occasion, guards had to clear those areas as prisoners were huddled in the cramped spaces to stay warm. Each time the officer ordered everyone out, it reminded me of a clown car, where so many people came out of such a small space, it seemed to be magic that they could all have been in there at once.

At some point, prisoners, a few at a time, were allowed to stand inside the door in the recreation hallway, having been instructed that they could come in just to "warm up" for a few minutes, then they would have to go back outside. While there were toilets available, water fountains had been turned off for the season, so there was nothing to drink. After several disgruntled prisoners complained, and encouraged others to join, an officer did bring a water cooler/dispenser to the yard, and later brought a sleeve of Styrofoam cups. This small gesture of good will seemed to calm things down considerably.

In addition to the cold, rumors about what was going on with guards on the unit - and to our cells and belongings - were rampant, and in some cases intentionally misleading. Staff posted at the door told prisoners milling about that the search would last for hours, even to the point of having prisoners prepare to be counted on the yard. Inmate "dog handlers" (who live on tier 2 and were in a position to observe what was going on in tier 3) came outside in another fenced area with their dogs and were yelling to us that the guards were "tearing up the cells", throwing items all over the dayroom, confiscating and intentionally destroying our personal property. As was later confirmed by inmates on that tier, this was an attempt by those inmates to create panic, rebellion and even a riot.

At approximately 3:45 pm those of us on the yard, cold, frustrated and anxious, were told to move back to the unit - 20 at a time. The halls were lined with guards, with several of the staff assigned to the ISCC interspersed with the cadets, yelling at prisoners to stay to the right side (of the hallway), take off the hats, take off the coats, yada, yada, yada. Most of those yelling were those already known to be mouth-breathing, badge-heavy thugs, and were obviously trying to impress their understudies.

Arriving back on the tier, there was no sign of the area having been inappropriately disturbed. After count had cleared and we were released into the dayroom, many prisoners reported items missing from their cells, but from all information available, it appears that in each case there had been appropriate documentation of items removed/confiscated, justifiable reason(s) for the removals, and above all, the ability to appeal the removal or confiscation of items.

I can also say that in the majority of the reports from tier 3 prisoners (including myself) there had been no inordinate or unnecessary destruction, rummaging or plundering of cells or of the property therein.

In all, except for the ridiculous ways and means of removing prisoners from the tier to the outside without fair warning of the need for clothing for extended cold weather conditions (and the issuing of state coats to those who don't have them), the exercise/training went pretty well, despite the attempt by the "dog boys" to stir the pot of discontent and to incite disruptive and assaultive behaviors.

Let's just not do it again, huh?