What the POD life was like inside
Life inside the POD could be boring of course, you are in prison. There were 6 pods in the prison and each could hold 60-63 inmates maximum, if I am correct. Since I was a “lawn-mo man”, my detail was not called upon for 30-45 days at a time. It was nice to get out during the spring to cut the grass, riding those heavy- duty lawnmower go carts. You could do spin outs and run over things! During the winter we would be called out during Kansas blizzards to de-ice the sidewalks to and from the main buildings. It was frigid and that was the first time I felt the cold wind go through my body and bones! We could only stay out about 20 minutes at a time. It sucked when it was your number to go out with your team. After working, we would return and take a shower and relax. Work recall or lunch call would be called soon. If no work, then you could sleep until 11:15 am, go to lunch around 12-12:30 pm, return and do whatever you liked. Play games, watch television, or stay in your cell and read books. This was home and it felt like a temporary duty station every day. I was thankful every day, I was in a military facility than a state or federal facility. What do I mean by this? I didn’t want to become a monster in there and come out a scarred gladiator, which would affect your psyche greatly in the free world. You are already affected, but it is how you are able to manage it. Military prison was less drama and drama can only come looking for you if it came to you or you mostly sought it. I was chill and out of sight out of mind. Life is very structured more so, because you want to use your time wisely, because once you get out, you will not have much time to read and learn. I read a small library in 4 plus years. That is knowledge, most people cannot even achieve during a normal education K-16 in the public-school system. I am not saying it was all important, but I kept my foreign languages up, which helps me today in my profession. I can speak 4 languages, English, German, Mandarin, and Spanish from intermediate to advanced levels. Moreover, I can read up to 7 languages from beginner to advanced.
There were 4 tables in each Pod and the middle table was a neutral table, which meant it was Switzerland like. (sarcasm) The middle table was for anyone of any race to use. First come first serve was the rule and no race group had any say about the table, except that it was neutral. After work recall and during weekends, everyone did their own thing. Inmates played games, watched TV, chat, laugh, joked, look at the nice lady guards, and minded their own business. As far, as what I noticed, it was like a military barracks.
Military Prison Experiences 