My name is Andrew MacLachlan. I am 27 years old, and as of right now, am classified to Administrative Segregation or otherwise referred to as “solitary confinement.” I have been incarcerated since I was 18 years old. I am from a family whos background isn’t familiar with “prison or jail” at all; which kind of makes me the blacksheep or the odd one out. However over the years I have used these experiences and life lessons as motivation to be a better and more successful citizen of the community once I return, which now is about only 2 years away. I am a high school graduate from Heritage High School in Saginaw, MI. I once looked down on ex convicts and inmates, but after being through the system and humbling experiences. I am not ashamed to admit that I am an ex con myself. I wanted to write this letter to show others that there are so many good, intelligent, creative and hardworking individuals in the system that are capable of so many positive things in these communities. However the system and the Deportment of Corrections make it so difficult on these brothers and sisters to do the educational opportunities they need to do upon release and get the help and care that they need. I currently am in Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee, MI after receiving a class 1 misconduct for “incite to riot.” My story, or part in this incident was not to be malicious or destructive or insubordinate by anymeans. I was participating in a peaceful protest by asking the staff and shift command to get the answers from the warden or administration as to why they are moving individuals from a positive covid 19 unit to our unit whos inmates had no cases yet. At least reasoning as to why they are moving them without being properly tested first. I myself have been a chronic care asthma patient for several years now, and recently went to the hospital in may for upper respiratory problems. This made me high risk and I couldn’t afford to catch the covid 19 virus. After peaceful refusing to leave the hallways till we could get proper answers to our questions, the administration and staff gassed and pepper sprayed inmates and used excessive force on some as well. In result they rode some of us out from Muskegon that night on an emergency ride out to Oaks Correctional Facility. As of today Muskegon has the highest covid 19 case rate in the state of Michigan (DOC). This has been the most difficult time for me in my whole prison term. I am in a room with nothing but a desk and a toilet for 24 hours a day. No interaction with inmates other than through a door or talking through on AC plug in the wall. It is also so stressful and difficult to maintain healthy relationships with your family and loved ones. They as well as yourself are the ones who suffer with not know whats going on with their family member either. Several times my mother has called the facility to ask if she could get information as to whats going on, and they continued to state they “they didnt know.” The staff only lets you use the phone or other privileges when they feel like it. The treatment is totally ridiculous and it just gets more stressful and more difficult to handle everyday. I”m finally approaching my chronic care doctor’s check up, or else all my medical issues would also be ignored or neglected. Its like you are treated less than human. There is no respect or empathy given toward an individual in Administrative Segregation. I feel even worse for the inmates with psych issues because even the psych related doctors dont make their routine rounds in “Ad Seg” sometimes. I also can observe the long term effects that “solitary confinement” has on individuals just by listening to them. I believe helping someone consists of programming and learning. Not continuous or consistent punishment and neglect. I believe positivity should be implemented more in the administrative segregation practices. Not just telling a person “do 6 months” or “do 12 months” in a room by yourself and then they will consider letting you hack out to the same thing… its still prison! This discommunication causes only further relationship and communication related problems amongst inmates again. To me it is not only unjust, but it is more importantly unhealthy to inmates.

 

As my ERD (earliest release date) approaches in less than 2 years, I want to remain ticket free and continue doing all the positive things I was doing before I was placed in ‘Ad seg.’ I want to participate in more programming like I have in the past and remain focused. I want to become fully involved in prison reform, and I want to be a voice and bring awareness to the outside world of what brothers and sisters, moms and dads, and friends and loved ones have to deal with or go through in our struggles to make it to freedom. I always like to remind myself with the quote, “without struggle, there would be no progress.” I will continue to participate in educating the ones who are not educated with this corrupt side of the system, in hopes that one day things will change for the better and most importantly, benefit our fellow brothers and sisters who will one day return to the community. My heart goes out to all who are behind bars, the wall, or in the hallways, and the ones who gives us a chance and listen. 

 

Best regards,

Andrew G. MacLachlan #844474