Graterford Culture
Hugh Williams
Many forget that Phoenix was 6 years old the day that Graterford’s population transitioned and as of date, Phoenix still has its milk teeth. That is to say, construction is not yet completed. Echoing Ms. Elizabeth Geyer’s sentiments written in the 9/2018 CPF edition, the mood is somber and tense because decades of friendship and bonds were disrupted. One only needs to look at the prototypical design and purpose and come to the conclusion that they are meant to prohibit, restrict and control almost every facet of humanity. This in itself is a contradiction in a society that thirsts for and thrives on instant and constant information and communication 24/7, 365 days a year.
What the public doesn’t know is, before the transition, newly appointed Superintendent Tammy Ferguson conducted several town hall like meetings in Graterford’s auditorium, where she emphatically said that the mission statement from Secretary Wetzel is, break the so-called Graterford culture, a culture best described by Ms. Geyer as one based on decency, dignity and mutual respect. No prison is without strife and problems and is a microcosm of free society. But it can be truthfully said and verified by the DOC’s own statistics, that Graterford for its size, had fewer inmate-guard assaults than at all the DOC prisons combined. The question that begs an answer is, why disrupt the culture or better said, why try to fix something that isn’t broken? What the secretary and superintendent fail to accept is, people, not buildings are the culture, and the only thing the transition did is, relocate Graterford’s population along with its culture. Proof of this was the way we conducted ourselves after a two week lockin and the first walk to the chowhalls. The upstate transition teams of high ranking C/Os, other officials and CERTs from all points north and west witnessed firsthand the Graterford culture. They watched amazed how we greeted one another, asking where is so and so, are you alright, we’ll be in touch? They watched us waving and giving signs that despite being separated by housing units, walkways and wired fences, we are still family and family will not be denied or defined by Phoenix’s construction.
If the plan is to break the Graterford culture, then it has thus far failed. There are too many lifers who have made Graterford what it was, and no doubt they will have the same positive and progressive impact here at Phoenix. Whoever chose the name Phoenix unwittingly described the Graterford culture. Like the mythical creature that died and came back to life, the Graterford culture was transferred a mere distance of two city blocks. Perhaps it is a self-fulfilling prophesy. Though double celling is problematic and a major cause of concern, the issue will in time be resolved in court. In the meantime, though the compound is called Phoenix, Graterford’s culture remains in the souls of its population.
Address: Smart Communications PADOC
SCI Phoenix
P.O. Bo 33028
St. Petersburg, FL 33733
March 2019
