Prison Toilets and Troubles: When the Bathroom Equipment Goes Awry
Imagine the unexpected situation of facing a clogged toilet during your stay in prison. While this situation might be rare due to the "drop one flush one" rule, it can still occur, especially in overcrowded or undermaintained facilities. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what happens and how to handle such a problem.
Handling a Clogged Toilet in Prison
As an inmate, if your toilet becomes clogged, you have a few options. First, you might approach an officer to obtain a plunger from the facility. This should be the most straightforward solution, as prison staff are typically equipped and willing to assist in unclogging toilets.
However, if you’re on your own, the next steps involve either paying someone to clean out the clog or tackling it yourself. Be cautious here; using the wrong equipment can lead to complications, as seen in the following story.
A humorous anecdote from my experience shares the story of using the bathroom mopping equipment to clean the room instead of the correct tools. This mistake was easily pointed out and corrected by my fellow inmate, who was friends with a germaphobic native. It highlights the importance of following specific instructions to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Motivations Behind Clogging a Toilet
Prisoners might intentionally clog a toilet as a way to protest or draw attention to their situation. This action often manifests as a form of disruption or as an attempt to gain special treatment. For instance, flooding the cell with feces can be a distressing and invasive action for correctional officers (COs).
Several times, inmates have resorted to this method to gain temporary freedom, such as running around or engaging in other annoying activities. The clogged toilet can be flushed repeatedly to overflow, leading to a 'flooding' situation. Such actions are highly disruptive and serve as a challenge to the COs’ authority.
Addressing the Clog
When the toilet is clogged, the most common solution is to cut off the water supply to the cell. An inmate plumber is then called in to navigate the pipe-chase to unclog the toilet. In most instances, the inmates will claim complete innocence or that the clog was an accident, especially if it involves multiple pairs of boxers.
Repeated clogging often leads to water being cut off for extended periods, sometimes up to a few days. The excuse might be given that it’s too early, too late, too hot, too cold, or too windy to address the issue. This shows the seriousness of such behavior within the prison system.
Consequences and Punishments
Often, the clog results in a foul odor and a significant mess. Prisoners found responsible may be confronted by a building sergeant who, along with another officer, will handcuff and lock the offending inmates in the showers while the plumber works on the issue. This method of punishment is designed to send a clear message about the inappropriate use of toilet systems.
Some prisons even have sanitation schedules that limit access to water and facilities, such as toilets and showers, to specific times. For example, places with timed access might only allow 15 minutes of water every two hours, which makes such protest behaviors less effective.
While these measures offer some deterrence, they also introduce new challenges for inmates who must manage their daily routines within strict time constraints.