It’s New Year’s Eve and it’s not really a happy day. We have been taken out of our cells a few times over the past couple days to get medical checks and to speak with doctors and mental health administrators. First of all, I should mention that my cell is on the second story of the third pod of “G” Unit in El Dorado Correctional Facility. That means whenever we come out to get food or go anywhere we all walk down the same flight of stairs in a orderly fashion.
Today we were asked to come out of our cells and to walk to the middle of our pod where a nurse had TB tests that she was administering. I was about fourth or fifth in line and so was quickly done and started heading back to my cell, followed closely by my bunkie, John. He and I got about halfway up the stairs when we heard so loud shouting and turned around to see two guys start throwing fists. Evidentially, one guy saw another guy’s tattoos and because it was a rival gang, he was required to fight him.
Within about 10 seconds about 8-10 other guys all jumped into the mix and there was mayhem. Guards immediatly poured into the pod and had pepper spray unloaded all over everyone. The entire pod was in shambles and at least 11 guys were in cuffs on the floor. The air was thick with pepper spray and it was nearly impossible to breath.
Needless to say, I’m I made it back to my cell quickly. I was also lucky to have been let out later in the evening for about 30 minutes of dayroom time so that I could make a phone call to my wife. It was the first time I had been able to talk to her since being in county. It was a blessing to hear her voice, but frustrating that I was only granted a few minutes to speak with her and had no idea when I would be able to again.