I sympathize with the people of Flint, Michigan. Their water was contaminated because nobody gave much thought to the problems that could be created by switching from a water source that was proven reliable to the Flint River, which was known for its mercury poisoned waters.
Sometimes greed overcomes public welfare and safety. Or, as in our case, indifference.
When I arrived at this place in May of 1995, I immediately noticed one thing. The water wasn’t right, and it wasn’t just the way it tasted. If an inmate heats water for coffee, soups or anything else they might want to cook, they need a hot pot. The pot doesn’t get hot enough to ‘boil’ water, but it can get hot enough to ‘crock pot’ a meal if used correctly.
I’ve had two. I had the first one for almost six years and the second for ten. Both never leaked because I kept them dry while not in use, and I never left water in them for longer than an hour. Everyone who owns one and doesn’t dry it out immediately after use is plagued with the dilemma of replacing their pot. If a pot is left slightly wet or heats water for long periods of time, the water will begin to eat through the bottom plate of the pot.
Which brings us to the crux of the story. All of the water coolers here have filters – except for the ones in the male housing areas. The infirmary, the cannery, the areas where officers fill their bottles, the officers’ dining areas – all of those locations have filtered water. Everywhere – but where we live. There are even signs in some locations stating ‘non-potable water’.
The officers often buy bottled water from the commissary or bring in bottles by the dozens in the hotter months of June, July and August. Of course, I can hear my dad saying to me now, “Johnny, if water can eat through a hot pot, imagine what it’s doing to your stomach?” It regularly eats and corrodes the water pipes in the plumbing system.
So, what’s in the water? Being the resourceful person I am, I once sent a fellow inmate home with a water sample to find out. He was a plumber by trade so he had access to the type of testing and technology needed. A week after he got home and settled in, he had the sample tested. He never sent me the results, only told me, “You don’t wanna know.”
Before I came to prison in 1993, I never experienced any kind of skin irritation or sensitivity. I’ve battled all kinds of skin problems since I’ve been here. I’ve had athletes foot, jock itch, and scaling skin issues since my arrival. I seem to have developed an immunity over the years, but I continue to see things on a daily basis that, pardon the pun, would make your skin crawl.
The quality of life suffers when the water you drink and bathe in is at war with you. Sometimes there are notices to the inmates to boil the water we use. Remember our hot pots? They don’t boil – crazy, huh? Or is it by design?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Beginning to feel a little less ‘Shipwrecked, Abandoned, and Misunderstood’. In spite of 25 years behind bars, John Green continues to wake up every day holding on to his humanity and on a mission to change the world for the better.
John Green #671771
C.T. Terrell Unit A346
1300 FM655
Rosharon, TX 77583
