When old men and gang bangers wind up in the same room

It sounds so innocent! What could go wrong when you double-bunk an old guy and a younger prisoner? 

A whole lot! That’s what! 

James, who speaks from experience, is on a mission to change all of that. He’s 71, and he’s hoping that his story will prompt some action by the Michigan Department of Corrections as well as the state legislature. 

James explains that when a young guy gets paired up with an old dude, there’s often intimidation. More often than not, he claims, the younger inmates see these elderly men as easy marks, unable to defend themselves or protect their personal property. 

James has been behind bars for 49 years. Here's what he has to say. 

“I have been assaulted and victimized several times by younger prisoners. James said that one time his bunkie admitted taking his personal property and assaulting him when he tried to take it back, but he was issued a major misconduct for fighting, because the guard didn’t see who threw the first punch. In addition, he was forced to pay $4,000 restitution to the state for his hospital visit. 

In another incident, a younger prisoner stole his television set while he was using the telephone. Fortunately, he says, he was able to get his TV set back, but only after paying a so-called ‘finder’s fee.’ 

While James is willing to forgive others (telling himself that if he wants forgiveness for past crimes and transgressions, he’d better practice what he preaches), he’s on a campaign to bring about change. 

“Sadly, we prisoners are not only surrounded by high walls of concrete, chain-link fences and razor wire, we are beset with walls of secrecy, codes of silence, and stereotypes.” Rather than being labeled a “snitch,” many of the old timers just refuse to report these incidents. 

He says it’s way past time for the state to do something about this. For one thing, it’s illegal. The courts have ruled that officials must review inmates’ compatibility before double-bunking, and prison officials are actually liable. 

Sadly, I’ve been neglectful in not addressing this problem in the past. The current practice of just randomly double-bunking elderly and younger prisoners is not only unacceptable, but dangerous. 

Concludes James: Make no mistake, there is nothing natural about growing old in prison, especially when the aging process is accelerated by repeated traumatic abuse, which often results in constant fear, anxiety and despair. Within such a toxic environment, hopelessness has a way of breaking a person’s spirit, and just as surely thereafter, the body and mind. 

It’s time to get on the bandwagon with James. Let’s give the old-timers a voice! 

Forward this to someone important in Lansing.

Today.