# I work in a military prison. Ask me anything. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 11, 2011, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578 "2011-11-11T07:10:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/121 "2011-11-18T06:23:53Z")
I assume you mean courtesy, not curtsey? [http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/corwinsg/corwinsg0805/corwinsg080500009/3433225-young-businessman-curtsey.jpg](http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/corwinsg/corwinsg0805/corwinsg080500009/3433225-young-businessman-curtsey.jpg) Anyway, thanks again! Very, very interesting thread. ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/122 "2011-11-18T13:09:02Z")
can inmates sign up for suicide missions? ---
**Author:** ![Cryptic\_C62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cryptic\_C62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptic_C62)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/123 "2011-11-18T14:00:42Z")
You mentioned a few posts up that inmates cannot salute. Is this the kind of thing that people actually get punished for? Or do the older inmates teach the newer inmates not to salute and that’s that? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/124 "2011-11-18T14:23:14Z")
Based on what I have read about many prisons in the US, it seems that lack of education and illiteracy are rampant in US prisons. I suppose that this is less the case in the USDB, considering that you pretty much can’t enlist without high school credentials (this includes a GED). Are your inmates a cut above the others in terms of education? How does this affect the general dynamics of prison life? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/125 "2011-11-18T14:27:50Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > …The death row inmate will not do therapy until that happens, but his mental health needs will be taken care of. > … How are mental health needs taken care of without therapy? Does the basic level of mental health care consist primarily or entirely of psychiatric drugs? (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, your mom’s pies, etc.) Speaking of psychiatric drugs, do inmates have the right to elect whether or not to take prescribed medications, or do they have the right to get a second opinion? E.g.: Inmate Williams: “The prison doctor gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin. This drug never worked for me and it made me feel jittery. I don’t want to take it. Can I see a different doctor/ask the doctor for Prozac instead/just go without?” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/126 "2011-11-19T04:26:38Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Are all of your prisoners technically still on active duty so that they’re subject to the UCMJ? What percentage of them get a dishonorable discharge upon completing their time? > > \*\*Almost all of the inmates I work with have been dishonorably discharged. The UCMJ, as you are suggesting, applies to non-judicial punishment. I have a few, that _when they get out_ they will be subject to non-judicial punishment, but I have very few to return to Active Duty \*\* I know you are not law enforcement. I’m pretty sure you are wrong about this. As is obvious to anyone who spent time in the Army Article 15 of the UCMJ covers non-judicial punishment. I am assuming that all the inmates there were convicted of crimes while a member of the armed forces. If so they were tried under the punitive articles of the UCMJ, articles 77 to 134. All those who I have seen convicted under court martial have been reduced to E1 and subject to dishonorable discharge _after_ completion of their sentences. That way they would still be subject to UCMJ. Have things changed? ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/127 "2011-11-20T07:29:19Z")
> [@willthekittensurvive](#): > > can inmates sign up for suicide missions? NO. Sorry for the delay in response. I been on call and have been getting my sleep when I can. > [@Cryptic\_C62](#): > > You mentioned a few posts up that inmates cannot salute. Is this the kind of thing that people actually get punished for? Or do the older inmates teach the newer inmates not to salute and that’s that? The inmates of the USDB, or even those who have been sentenced, they have lost the right to salute. A salute is a sign of respect, and the Officers return the salute out of respect for the Soldier. There is no military respect (i.e. salute) given the inmates. > [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Based on what I have read about many prisons in the US, it seems that lack of education and illiteracy are rampant in US prisons. I suppose that this is less the case in the USDB, considering that you pretty much can’t enlist without high school credentials (this includes a GED). Are your inmates a cut above the others in terms of education? How does this affect the general dynamics of prison life? Most are able to do college. Most are able to follow instructions. The prison is a lot safer because they don’t have the ones that aren’t so bright to do the dumb stuff. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/128 "2011-11-20T07:42:23Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > How are mental health needs taken care of without therapy? Does the basic level of mental health care consist primarily or entirely of psychiatric drugs? (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, your mom’s pies, etc.) > > Speaking of psychiatric drugs, do inmates have the right to elect whether or not to take prescribed medications, or do they have the right to get a second opinion? > > E.g.: > > Inmate Williams: “The prison doctor gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin. This drug never worked for me and it made me feel jittery. I don’t want to take it. Can I see a different doctor/ask the doctor for Prozac instead/just go without?” Good question, and we just had a training a couple months ago about your second question. I will answer that one first. What the doctors will do is try to convince the inmate to take the medication. If the inmate is not acting out, is not a danger to himself or others, it may not even be noticed immediately that he is not taking his medication. When the inmate does start acting out, again, the inmate will be attempted to be talked into taking the medication. If the inmate still refuses, a board will be convened, and an uninvolved doctor will make the decision as to whether the inmate needs the medication. I did ask had it ever happened at the USDB, and was told that it has never gotten to the point where an inmate has been forced to take an unwanted medication. Based upon the results of the board, the possibility is there, but again, the inmate must be judged incompetent. To answer your first question, the inmate can get counseling for any mental health issues. He cannot get crime specific group therapy. > [@Loach](#): > > I know you are not law enforcement. I’m pretty sure you are wrong about this. As is obvious to anyone who spent time in the Army Article 15 of the UCMJ covers non-judicial punishment. I am assuming that all the inmates there were convicted of crimes while a member of the armed forces. If so they were tried under the punitive articles of the UCMJ, articles 77 to 134. All those who I have seen convicted under court martial have been reduced to E1 and subject to dishonorable discharge _after_ completion of their sentences. That way they would still be subject to UCMJ. Have things changed? If I understand your question right, you are correct. But the inmates are not going to get an Article 15 while confined. The inmates have disciplinary boards. They don’t get extra duty or restriction:D. If the inmate is returned to duty, he would be subject to Article 15 action. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/129 "2011-11-20T13:50:47Z")
More of a trivial question. What type of board games do the inmates play to past the time, any massive D&D campaigns going on ? ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/130 "2011-11-21T01:37:43Z")
> [@Ibanez](#): > > More of a trivial question. What type of board games do the inmates play to past the time, any massive D&D campaigns going on ? Amazingly, yes. In the age of WoW (which the inmates cannot play due to it being online) a lot of them get into Dungeons and Dragons. Monopoly, chess, and Rook are also played a lot. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/131 "2011-11-21T01:46:07Z")
If you’ve been there a few years you likely in-processed hub’s ex-CDR for murder. I’m afraid Leavenworth isn’t punishment enough for the likes of him. Is there really such a thing as life without parole or does the sentence really mean if he’s a good boy he could really get out at some point in the future? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/132 "2011-11-21T01:52:19Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Amazingly, yes. In the age of WoW (which the inmates cannot play due to it being online) a lot of them get into Dungeons and Dragons. Monopoly, chess, and Rook are also played a lot. > > SFC Schwartz You know, I once spent two weeks in a pharmaceutical study where we had to stay indoors all the time (and bunk there at night), our time was strictly regimented (for pill intake and blood draws) and the rest of the time we spent playing elaborate board game campaigns. It sounds a bit like military prison! ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/133 "2011-11-21T03:05:28Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Amazingly, yes. In the age of WoW (which the inmates cannot play due to it being online) a lot of them get into Dungeons and Dragons. Monopoly, chess, and Rook are also played a lot. > > SFC Schwartz I figured D&D would of been a good possibility. Considering you need a lot of time to play the other problem \*we face is setting a date and time where everyone is free to play, which of course wouldn’t be a problem with inmates. Any particular type of inmate make up the DMs ? (Dungeon Masters) are they the “leaders” you’ve mentioned above when it comes to racial groups ? \*people on the outside. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/134 "2011-11-22T04:06:02Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > If you’ve been there a few years you likely in-processed hub’s ex-CDR for murder. I’m afraid Leavenworth isn’t punishment enough for the likes of him. > > Is there really such a thing as life without parole or does the sentence really mean if he’s a good boy he could really get out at some point in the future? There is life without parole, but there are also clemency boards that are scheduled. We recently had an inmate who came in sentenced to life without. He got a number at his last board, granted, it was 99 years, but it does make him eligible for parole. The only inmates who don’t ever expect to walk the streets again are the death sentence inmates (DSI). Even then, there is a long shot at clemency, so they could get life without, then get clemency again, and get a number. > [@Ibanez](#): > > I figured D&D would of been a good possibility. Considering you need a lot of time to play the other problem \*we face is setting a date and time where everyone is free to play, which of course wouldn’t be a problem with inmates. > > Any particular type of inmate make up the DMs ? (Dungeon Masters) are they the “leaders” you’ve mentioned above when it comes to racial groups ? > \*people on the outside. No, from what I have seen (and granted, I don’t spend a lot of time interacting with the inmates during their free time) the ones who are DM’s are the ones who have played the game for awhile and want to devote the time to being a DM. The heavies, or “leaders” usually don’t have the time to create the worlds. Most are more involved in the real world of keeping their housing units safe and quiet. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/135 "2011-11-22T04:33:03Z")
Do you know any prisoner who has received a Presidential commutation or pardon? What, if anything, can you tell us about his story? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/136 "2011-11-22T05:01:26Z")
Could the inmates, in theory, be released and deployed as service members in a dire emergency? E.g. the base is being overrun by an invading army (they are still technically in the service until they finish their sentence, right?) How much sensitivity is given to religious practices (at least in comparison to service members “on the outside”). Do inmates get access to base chaplains? Can they ask a civilian clergy member to come visit on base? Do inmates seem to frequently “abuse” religious freedom laws and policies e.g. by feigning conversion to a religion with restrictive commandments in order to exempt themselves from rules? ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/137 "2011-11-22T16:02:52Z")
You did say in the O.P. that we could ask you ANYTHING. So I’m asking you if you could leave the door to “E” wing left unlocked on Saturday at 2230 hrs, and look the other way if you notice a car with its engine running not far from the main gate. Thanking you in advance… ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/138 "2011-11-23T00:12:22Z")
I think he’s been pretty clear that he cannot tell details like the last post or anyone’s personal story. Dunno why that sort of thing keeps coming up. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/139 "2011-11-23T03:16:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Do you know any prisoner who has received a Presidential commutation or pardon? What, if anything, can you tell us about his story? I don’t know of any that have received a pardon from anyone. I have had a few receive clemency. That just reduces their sentence. The best story I had was one who got life without parole, then got life with parole, then got a number. The clemency board reduced him to 99 years. I can’t go into details. > [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Could the inmates, in theory, be released and deployed as service members in a dire emergency? E.g. the base is being overrun by an invading army (they are still technically in the service until they finish their sentence, right?) > > How much sensitivity is given to religious practices (at least in comparison to service members “on the outside”). Do inmates get access to base chaplains? Can they ask a civilian clergy member to come visit on base? Do inmates seem to frequently “abuse” religious freedom laws and policies e.g. by feigning conversion to a religion with restrictive commandments in order to exempt themselves from rules? As to if the inmates can be called on in an emergency, they can’t. Serving in the military is a privilege.The inmates lost that privilege. It doesn’t matter how big a national emergency, the inmates will not be used to defend the base. Hell, some of the inmates have shot their fellow Soldiers. We really don’t want to arm them. As to religious freedom, the USDB has a lot of respect for religious beliefs. The inmates joke that there is a Chaplain who practiced the Jedi faith, but once the Chaplain arrived the interest was lost. I don’t know if the story is true or apocryphal, but the point is that the the Army will respect any religion that can be accommodated. We have Wiccans, we have Satanists. Almost any other religion could be accommodated. The inmates must respect the rules regardless. I can’t think of a single faith that would allow an inmate to violate the rules. In fact, during Ramadan, those working in the Dining Facility stayed late to ensure the fast could be maintained and those following the Muslim faith could still eat within the accordance of their beliefs. Most of those on the approved visitor list will be approved. It doesn’t matter if it is a religious person, a priest, or a lawyer. Many will convert to Christianity when they get arrested. Many more convert to Christianity when they first get confined. I will make no comments about why. > [@Lust4Life](#): > > You did say in the O.P. that we could ask you ANYTHING. > > So I’m asking you if you could leave the door to “E” wing left unlocked on Saturday at 2230 hrs, and look the other way if you notice a car with its engine running not far from the main gate. > > Thanking you in advance… Yeah, sure. Make sure you PM me your tag number so I can assure you will be treated with the utmost respect when you arrive on post. > [@Chimera](#): > > I think he’s been pretty clear that he cannot tell details like the last post or anyone’s personal story. Dunno why that sort of thing keeps coming up. Couldn’t have said it better. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578/140 "2011-11-23T03:31:47Z")
you say all your inmates are US servicemen. so where can i snoop and ask around if i were to look for political prisoners, cold war hold-outs, agents and double agents? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-work-in-a-military-prison-ask-me-anything/602578.md?page=8)