The ECHO, Vol. 93, No. 2, Ed. 1 Monday, March 1, 2021 Page: 7 of 12
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March 2021
The ECHO
7
Tt’s good to hear from all of you. It’s interesting to hear the story in your own give us a first-hand look at the things that employ challenges and fill their work
I words and from the perspective of the people who actually get --- day. Not every letter is published, but every letter is read.
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K. Barnes
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D. White
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up in the morning to perform the many jobs in Texas prisons.
There are always unexpected stories — ones you didn’t think
you’d hear from people working such a wide range of jobs.
Harold
Corcoran
Stevenson Unit
Sarah
Luedecke
Crain Unit
Donna
Zamarron
Hilltop Unit
ever, if we are putting your article and (possibly) photo
in this article, you have to own it. Please only submit real
names, units of assignments, and TDCJ #s. We under-
Kevin
Parsons
Clements Unit
IM
These people—you — are motivated by...what? This is what this
space is intended to explore Here it is in their words your words...----stand the nickname thing and have known some folks only
our words. We welcome letters from experienced workers, new by their nicknames, but if you write in to “Working in Prison,” you have to
workers, satisfied workers, and those seeking more—men and women who can use the name your Mother gave you at birth.★
Some of you have written in and asked The ECHO to
use your nickname instead of your real name. How-
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getting to deliver [books] to people that
could not come to the Library themselves.
Hopefully I have not worn my welcome out,
and I do look forward to reading more of
your work.
M. Washington
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Resident readers on this page respond to The ECHO'S "Working in Prison' feature (October 2020), which examined the benefits of jobs for residents in TDCJ. The article suggested that workers may fall into one of two camps, those who feel they are "working forthe man'and those who feel
they are ultimately working for themselves, building job skills and experience. Readers were then invited to describe their own jobs, work experiences and work-related opinions. We have published some of the letters and responses. Contributions may have been edited for clarity or brevity
C. Medina and L. Harris
compelled to submit a letter of my own.
Since arriving here at the Stevenson Unit
back in ‘14, I have worked in the Modular
Furniture Factory in various capacities,
earning at least ten OJTs in the two
departments. The skills I have learned
in both departments, I feel can come in
handy when I hit the job market out in
the world, which won't be very long now.
My experience in the factory has been for
me very rewarding and fulfilling. I have
enjoyed every minute I have worked out
there, and told my supervisor and Plant
Manager that it is my desire to work
every day up to my release to parole.
Over the six years I've been in the
factory, I have taken a lot of flack just
for being out there [from other people],
such as "You're just putting money in
their pockets." I do not see it that way.
I see my time out there as maintaining my
work ethic, building job skills I can one
day use in the world—as well as helping
to pass my time productively.
After reading all the submissions
in the "Working in Prison"
section of The ECHO, I felt
eh
n I thoroughly appreciate my job.
/ It's nice having something to
U | J do to fill my days until I can
finally be home with my babies.
It keeps my mind focused, whereas sitting
in the dorm all day and sleeping my life
away quickly depresses me. The weeks go
by fast, and by the time I realize it, I
have got another year done.
I'm a food service worker. To some
that's considered a bottom rung job,
but to me, my job is considered one of
the best. Sometimes it's a pain being
the ODR worker. I get called in earlier
somedays and stay later most nights. It
is humbling, which I definitely need.
I've been there over three years and feel
appreciated for my work. It doesn't go
unnoticed, and it really does make me glad
to put a smile on someone's face just by
providing good service, cleanliness and
a decent meal. I don't recall ever having
held a job this long in the freeworld.
It gives me hope that even if I don't find
a top notch job out there, I learned a
good work ethic here, and I am prepared
to use it.
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—m-mupm-ae ymge me m, — me they told us they all worked for the same supervisor. So if any of you reading
" IRS KE"G this also work on special cleaning crews around the system, you may be able to
show your supervisor this page and let them know we would like to include your
You have probably seen them on the cellblocks dorms, and all up and down - team’s photo in The ECHO. We are hoping to show photos of men and women
unit hallways across Texas: the men and women who help keep everything extra working at their frontline jobs — not just posing in the hallways. Make the photo
sanitized and clean during this time of COVID — frontline workers. They have tell the story of your frontline efforts. Please keep pandemic safety practices at
spent many hours this past year in helping protect health through their efforts. the forefront: participants must be shown properly wearing masks and social
Their jobs are not glamorous or designed for daily recognition, but they supply distancing while working.
services that play a key role in protecting residents and employees of TDCJ - and If your unit’s leadership or supervisors have appropriate access to a camera,
most of them take extreme pride in the positive results. we would welcome your unit’s photo submissions. All photos that show residents
We at the ECHO want to take this space to say “Thanks!” and give a little recog- for this feature must come from appropriate TDCJ or WSD personnel, and they
nition to those who sometimes get overlooked. When you see these folks around, must also be accompanied by a signed, official TDCJ media release form. Photos
be sure to tell them you appreciate their efforts. It may sound a little cliche these can be emailed to Bambi.Kiser@wsdtx.org, and copies of the media release
days, but we really are all in this together. form can also be requested from this address. Submissions must include names,
The photos on this page are of frontline workers on the Wynne Unit. We have locations and TDCJ #’s of the subjects. Media release forms can be scanned and
often been asked, “Why are there so many ECHO photos of folks on the Wynne submitted with photos. We also need an employee contact’s name and phone
Unit?” The answer is simple-we live and work here for The ECHO. However, we number so the Managing Editor can call if we have any questions.
have a plan to change this trend. Let this photo collection be the beginning of a Please thank your supervisors and unit leadership for their support with this
system-wide show of pride in work. effort if you are able to participate. And definitely thank these residents who, day
When speaking with most of the guys on this unit’s special cleaning crews, in and day out, keep facilities clean. Their efforts shine! ★
■■
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Currently I am a full time
student in the first female
plumbing class at the Crain
Unit. I will have graduated by
the time this goes to print.
Over the 13 years of my incarceration, I
have held many job positions: alteration
tailor, cook, clerk, kitchen commissary,
baker, janitor, field squad, and small
engine mechanic. I've also attended
classes such as Culinary Arts, Plumbing,
Electrical, and BCIS to enhance my
employability upon release.
I am actually more passionate about
cooking and baking. I think I have always
enjoyed cooking and baking since I was a
small child. If I had a passion, it would
definitely be food. I plan on opening my
own bakery or business as a small engine
mechanic. I think working for certain
companies that offer extensive training
focused on these jobs is good to do even
after release.
I haven't always enjoyed the jobs I've had
or my coworkers, but I know that these
experiences will help me when I have to
work with others I don't particularly
like.
If given the chance to get out, I have no
doubts regarding my ability to succeed and
one day be my own boss. I also know that
because of my determination to remain in
good standing as a member of society, I
will continue to learn all I can.★
A After 21 years and fast
A — approaching 22, working in prison
( / has been both rewarding and
educational. I would place myself
in the group: this is how I do my time/
work satisfies me/honing my skills for the
world.
Just on this unit, Clements Unit, I have
always worked toward getting the OJTs
offered here. I have fully enjoyed each
job that I was given by classification
from the worst to the best. There have
been jobs that were gratifying just to be
part of, like Library work, maintaining
one of the largest in the state and
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Texas. Department of Criminal Justice. The ECHO, Vol. 93, No. 2, Ed. 1 Monday, March 1, 2021, newspaper, March 1, 2021; Huntsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1492080/m1/7/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.