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To the Pennsylvania author, John O'Hara (1905-1970), Frackville
was a storybook place. In From the Terrace and in his
short story "Zero," O'Hara called Frackville "Mountain City."
It just goes to prove that O'Hara could write fiction because
there's nothing storybook about Frackville, Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania. It's the pits - and I'm not talking about the
labyrinth of derelict coal mines.
All Frackville has to offer nowadays is the most backward prison in the passe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ... oh, and a Motel 6 which, from all reports, is a horror. Being a prisoner within the Frackville state prison, I'm familiar with the unfortunate realities of the environment. From time to time I've shared my observations and views (mostly about the staff). It's fair to say that I've generally been critical, but what prison staff deserves it more? The prison is the most poorly managed place in the state, but most remarkable is the startlingly poor quality of the guard staff. But, see, that's an unfair generalization. While it's true that when taken as a whole the guards at Frackville are the worst in the state, it's unfair and untrue to apply that demeaning stereotype to every guard in the place. I'm sorry to say that too often I'm guilty of just such unjust generalization. Recently my cell was searched. It's a periodic routine. Often the guards use the opportunity to wreck things and inflict punishment. On this occasion the two guards appeared about 9 AM. The older one, a 17 year veteran, was clearly in charge. He spoke politely and exhibited manners. The kid who was with him said nothing. On earlier occasions I'd discovered that he was the kind of young guard who was obsessed with guns and power and force; a military devotee. It made me wonder why he'd be so insecure and why guns would fascinate him. Could it be a sexual displacement? In any event, the pair searched my property and cell. The older guard did his job in a professional, respectful, business-like fashion. Phallic displacement not withstanding, the young man also conducted himself in an appropriate and professional way. Both were examples of the good manners which are often missing at Frackville. The incident impressed me with the fact that sometimes I paint with too broad a brush. Not all the guards at Frackville are oafs. A number of very bad apples make the whole force look bad. I was compelled to resolve to rely less on stereotypes. The guards who are doing their jobs in a respectful, professional and mannerly fashion deserve to be commended. Here and now, I do so. In future, I'll try to focus more specifically on the bad ones. There is no shortage. To the staff that I've unfairly blackened with my criticism of bad guards, I apologize. You are welcome to use or republish
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