Lifting Spirits
By Dana McGee and Asst. Public Defender Meigan Thompson
John and Lil’ C were housed on the same pod of the 201 Jail. Although they didn’t share the same cell, their cells were located directly across from each other on the pod. It was from this vantage point that John observed Lil’ C and soon realized that they had little in common. John was 54 years old. Lil’C was 24. John was quiet and kept to himself. Lil’ C was engaging and liked to joke around. John liked to sleep later into the morning. Lil’ C was an early riser – usually the first to wake up (and to wake everyone else up) on the pod. Despite their differences, however, John had grown to be fond of Lil’ C and looked forward to seeing him every day.
One April morning, John awoke to find something unusual – Lil’ C was not already up and awake in the cell across from him. Although uncommon, John was not immediately alarmed. In fact, he was distracted by the realization that his pod would get “rec” time that day. The staffing shortages at the 201 Jail during the Coronavirus made for unpredictability in their lockdown schedules. Some days they would be on lockdown and not allowed to leave their cells at all. Other days, however, they would get “rec” time where they were allowed out of their cells to spend time on their pods. On this morning, John and his pod learned that they would enjoy three “rec” breaks throughout the day. After having spent the prior forty-eight hours on lockdown, John was eager to get out of his cell.
Lil’ C was never far from John’s mind, however.
As the day went along, Lil’ C’s cellmate made the rounds to everyone, letting them know that Lil’ C wasn’t feeling well. Specifically, Lil’ C’s cellie told everyone that Lil’ C hadn’t moved from under his bed sheet all day and that sweat was dripping down his forehead. John considered what options they had to get Lil’ C some medical attention. A call at the kiosk could be placed, but it would take a few days before a medical staffer would arrive. There was an officer on duty, but John and his cellmates were unfamiliar with her.
It wasn’t immediately apparent to John and his cellmates that Lil’ C may have been suffering from the Coronavirus. For John and most of his cellmates on the pod, the Coronavirus had unfolded while they were incarcerated. They knew little about its symptoms or severity. All they knew was hearsay that they overheard from jail officers when they worked their shifts.
Lil’ C’s condition never improved.
Towards the end of the day — by chance — one of the regular pod officers walked by Lil’ C’s cell and noticed that Lil’ C was not his usual self. John heard Lil’ C tell the officer that he wasn’t feeling well and had been “laid up all day.” In response, the officer called down to medical to see if they could assess Lil’ C immediately. The officer unlocked the cell and helped Lil’ C out of bed.
When Lil’ C emerged from his cell, it was the first time that John had seen him all day. “He looked weak and out of it. As he walked away from our pod, I heard him tell a couple of guys that he felt really bad.”
When the officer returned to John’s pod, he had two more officers with him. Wearing gloves and masks, one of the officers escorted Lil’ C’s cellie out of the cell. After a while, the officer returned the cellie to the pod and made him get back in the cell. John heard Lil’ C’s cellie insist that the officers spray down the cell and place him in quarantine. While the officers sprayed down the cell, they did not place him in quarantine.
“I know more about the Coronavirus now that I’m on the outside. When I think about the fact that Lil’ C’s cellie remained in that cell - in retrospect - it’s frightening.”
One week after Lil’ C was removed from the pod, John’s criminal case was disposed and he was released from jail. By this time, however, John had developed a sore throat and had begun to sneeze. Although it appeared to be only a common cold, John was overwhelmed with fear that it could be the Coronavirus. He was worried that he would bring it home to his elderly mother and other family members.
John got himself tested for the Coronavirus. Although his test was negative, his family members have not fared as well. “It’s kinda been rough for the past month. My niece, brother-in-law and elderly mother have all tested positive for the Coronavirus.”
As for Lil’ C, John never saw him again. He heard that Lil’ C tested positive for the Coronavirus and that he’s still locked up. He regrets not being able to say goodbye. “I would’ve told him to keep his head up. Let them take care of you and make sure you’re straight.” John feels sad that Lil’ C had to go through the Coronavirus while incarcerated. “It could be a death ticket depending on how severe it is. On the outside, you can get to a doctor ASAP and find out what’s wrong with you. That’s not the case in jail.”
One of the first things that John did when he got out of jail was put some money on Lil’ C’s commissary books. “It wasn’t a lot. It was only enough to buy some of those snacks that I know he liked.”
John may not have been able to lift Lil’ C’s spirits with his words, but he hoped a little bit extra for commissary would be a bright spot in his day.
*In order to protect our client’s identity, the client’s name has been changed.
Contributing Writer
Dana McGee,
2L
University of Arkansas School of Law
Learning about the experiences of those incarcerated during the coronavirus pandemic has impacted me profoundly. The Humanity Project has fueled my passion for criminal defense and has taught me first-hand about the many cruel injustices and tribulations people who are incarcerated face daily.