DannyBoyinExile

By TDCJ policy, the Major is responsible for overseeing all inmate job assignments, but this is typically done when we see the Unit Classification Committee (UCC). We can mention any specific job skills or experience we may have, or even ask for a particular job assignment. Sometimes they agree, and sometimes they simply tell us where we’re GOING to work, like it or not! Ultimately the inmates have no say-so over our job assignments. We can always refuse to work somewhere (or anywhere!), but they can and will write us disciplinary cases for REFUSING to work – and that’s not exactly in our best interests.
It’s best to just go to work, until you can either a) make your situation there more tolerable for you, or b) finagle your way into a different job, somewhere else – which is exactly what I just did.
I made my job as a janitor in the mattress factory into a pretty decent one, even if the best thing about it was that I could get away with not going very often! I did a lot of work there, though, and I can honestly say that the place looks better now than it did when I got there.
The staff in the mattress factory is top notch. Mr. Tough, Mr. Galloway, and Mr. Cayman (names have been changed, to protect the guilty!) are about the best bosses I could work for. We knew what to do, so they let us do it, they would always get us whatever we needed to do our jobs better, and would even come around regularly, just to check on us, or ask us individually how we were doing. It’s not their fault I’m such a pitiful excuse for an employee! (just kidding) It wasn’t them, but the SCHEDULE I didn’t like – as well as all the stuff I’d breathe in that would have my allergies revolting for days, each time I went to work.
Inmates always have the option of stopping the Major (or even the Warden) in the hallway, and asking them directly for a job change. They will generally tell you to “Send me an I-60”, which is TDCJ-speak for a request form, putting your request (along with all relevant details) in writing – and that’s exactly what the Major told me. But she DID remember me, from when I used to work in the main hallway here, and I was always a good worker (ahem… until I got fired!), so I had that in my favor. (Being a good worker, I mean, not getting fired.)
If the Major were to suddenly begin changing lots of inmates’ jobs, some departments just might find themselves short of staff, and not HAVE enough inmates to operate their area. So it’s a sign of respect to have them sign a release, which is a way of giving their consent for a particular inmate’s job to be changed. A Major doesn’t have to ask anyone before changing someone’s job, but to be considerate to her staff, she told me to half my boss sign a release, and she’d give me a job in the building.
So I did, and SHE did, and now I’m happily employed in the Captain’s Utility Squad. This is basically the same as being a janitor, but our crew is a handful of guys who work for the Captain directly, and he sends us to do all sorts of special detail work around the unit. It’s not exactly an intellectual job, and it’s only a “white collar job” in the sense that ALL inmates wear white collars, but it suits me. I’m on my feet, active, and occupied for eight hours a day – and sometimes I even get some work done!
Some inmates feel like it’s “kissing ass” to clean up around here. But we LIVE here, so I want it to be as clean as possible, and don’t mind doing my part to help out.
Thanks to the mattress factory, for tolerating me as long as they did, the Major for giving me another chance – and thanks to the rest of the inmates here, for making plenty of messes for me to clean up! Now I’m content, I’m doing a job that I don’t mind doing, and I even get plenty of exercise, walking the halls all day. I managed to improve my situation – and I did it on my own, which is always a good feeling. God helps those who help themselves. So says DannyBoy.