Life inside federal pen 'surprisingly calm'
By Max Jones
Tribune-Star Editor
Most attention this week at the U.S. Penitentiary is being paid to what's happening on the outside. National and international media organizations are turning a portion of the expansive grounds surrounding the prison into a massive electronic studio.
Public and media attention on the inside is primarily focused on death row, where Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh is spending his final days before being moved to the execution chamber early next week for his scheduled Wednesday execution.
But there is much more to the 60-year-old maximum-security prison than death row. And the pending execution, the first in the new lethal injection death chamber since it opened in 1999, is having a rippling effect throughout the prison.
As you would expect, there is some degree of tension inside the prison, mostly brought on by the fact nothing like this has happened before.
That's the word from a prison staff member whose name cannot be disclosed. Staffers are forbidden from talking with the media about prison business, and disciplinary action, including demotion or firing, could result from violating that policy.
Despite a low level of tension and apprehension about the days ahead, the staffer described the atmosphere among inmates and staff members as "surprisingly calm."
The staffer said the mood inside the prison is similar to that in the community. "For the most part, everyone just wants it to be over."
The vast majority of the 1,323 maximum-security inmates at the prison have no contact with those on death row. They don't know Timothy McVeigh, and they never see him. The major worry expressed by inmates is that their daily routine will be disrupted by the uproar surrounding the execution.
"What the inmates care about is that they're not locked down for very long," the staffer said.
During the execution, the prison will be in lock-down, a status in which inmates are locked in their cells and not allowed access to common or recreation areas. If all goes smoothly during the execution period, the lock-down will be lifted after a short time and prison life will get back to normal for all inmates.
The staffer predicts the execution will go as planned and everything inside the prison will return to normal in a short time. That confidence is rooted in a belief the prison staff is highly professional and thoroughly prepared for this situation.
"Our staff here is incredibly good," said the staffer. "I'm proud to be among them."
Plans for the community-wide prayer service on Monday in Fairbanks Park have been finalized.
The brief service will begin at 6 p.m., and is being billed as a time for prayer, peace and unity for all people. The Rev. Don Mullen, pastor of the First Congregational Church, will lead the service, with the help of other area pastors and religious leaders.
During the service, there will be a symbolic silence for 168 seconds in memory of the 168 victims of the Oklahoma City bombing.
At the conclusion of the service, which should take about 20 minutes, people will be encouraged to go to their churches for a time of prayer in their normal surroundings.
Monday's service is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Terre Haute to express their feelings of sympathy to all affected by this horrible episode in our history.
No matter what faith we embrace or church we attend, we can all be proud to be part of a community that has the courage and spirit to pray for peace and unity in these times.
Jones can be reached at (812) 231-4336, or by e-mail at max.jones@tribstar.com.
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