No matter how well a correctional facility seems to be managed, or no matter

how modern a facility may be, these places have the potential for fights and other

acts of violence.  For there are men living under stress, who sometimes have

deep-seated anger, or who may be having a bad day when their lives start to spin

out of control and everything seems to be going wrong.

     The prison I'm in now, for instance, even though it first opened around 1985

and is considered to be "state of the art" with easier to manage cell blocks,

surveilllance cameras in the recreation yards, and a smaller population (around 400)

compared with the older and larger New York prisons that have 2,000 or more

inmates), is just as potentially dangerous as any other facility.

     Recently, since the start of this year, we've been seeing an increase in

fights.  There's been tension in here that has never been at this level before. 

Although, fortunately, things continue to run smoothly.

     But there has been a measurable increase in confrontations.  In fact, one of

the local newspapers in this county published an article about the problem titled

"Inmate Assaults Cause Concern" (Sullivan Democrat, Tuesday, February 10, 2004). 

This was their lead story for the day.

     In the article, concern was expressed by various prison workers that the

growing number of assaults on staff have upset them and are a cause for alarm.

     A majority of the inmates who are incarcerated here go by the rules and have

no desire to make trouble or cause problems.  However, these assaults to have a

ripple affect that helps to create an atmosphere of tension that touches everyone.

     And while prisons are not designed to make the inmates or staff feel

comfortable, it is certainly more difficult to live and work in an environment

where the potential for violence is at a heightened level.

     But I do believe the tension will eventually decrease.  As a Christian, I've

begun to pray aboaut this.   So have the other men who attend our chapel services.

     During times like this, however, I'm grateful for the peace God gives to His

children when our minds are fixed upon Him,

     This is an inner peace which passes all human comprehension.  It will remain

throughout all the storms.

     Amen!

                                         David Berkowitz

                                         February 12, 2004

(c)2004 David Berkowitz