involved in this matter at this time. If and when you are found guilty of this offense, you do have the right to appeal the Due Process Committee’s decision to the warden’s office. I will become involved in the matter at that time.”
I also received a memo from Captain Marv Prieve, the security director. The subject was “Pending Conduct Report.” Captain Prieve’s memo stated: “I have received your letter to Mr. Davidson, dated 2/23/92. That conduct report was reviewed and determined to be a major offense. You will be afforded an opportunity to call witnesses and/or present evidence at your due-process hearing, which is scheduled for March 11, 1992, in Desegregation Unit 1. Until that time you will stay in DS-2, cell number two. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the hearing, you do have appeal rights.”
I remained in solitary confinement, Cell 2, from February 21 through March 11.
Being in solitary confinement, or temporary lockup, was almost as drastic as going to prison in the first place. It was a difficult adjustment. We couldn’t even socialize during meals, which we received through the trap on the door. Because all inmates on Units 1 and 2 were still on lockdown, all meals were in bags or on Styrofoam trays.
There was no television or a radio.
Recreation was three times a week instead of daily. I could have three showers a week and one ten-minute phone call.
Knowing I was innocent, I was frustrated. Maybe beyond frustrated. Iwanted to attend school, group meetings, canteen, recreation, and chapel services. I wanted to do the things that not only kept me occupied, but things that kept me on the right path. I wanted things that helped me in my journey to become a
good
person. Instead, I was confined to a cell.
Days were long; nights were longer. I spent my new-found “down-time” consumed with praying and reading my Bible, which was getting dog-eared with use. The long, cold days of February slowly turned into March.
Then, just as suddenly, my life became interesting. A new prisoner moved into DS-2, Cell 1, right next-door to mine.
Eleven
And So It Begins
If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord, or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am here in jail for Christ’s sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering. (II Timothy 1:8
, TLB)
On the afternoon of Monday, March 2, 1992, Dahmer transferred from the glass tank in Desegregation Unit 1 to Cell 1 in Desegregation Unit 2, right next to mine.
When Jeffrey arrived, I was reading my Bible and trying to talk with inmates in other cells about scriptures. At that point, I’d only been a Christian for a year and a half so I was by no means a biblical scholar. I enjoyed discussions about the Bible. Some inmates were believers; others were not.
Before Jeff arrived, some of the inmates on our tier, like inmates and citizens everywhere, were saying bad things about him. The majority were completely convinced he was a racist and hated minorities.
The scene was set and it wasn’t exactly a “welcoming committee.” Immediately after Dahmer arrived, verbal abuse and threats against him began.
“If I ever see you alone, I’ll kill you, you racist pig!” one inmate shouted.
The shouts and jeers escalated. Dahmer never said a word. One inmate asked what he did with all his victims. No response. More questions and jeers flew at him like, “Did the male parts taste good?” or “did you have a feast with all those feet you had on hand?”
Dahmer remained silent.
The questions, swearing, threats, jokes, and comments continued and got louder. I tried to defuse the situation and asked the other inmates to keep the noise down so I could talk to a few people. Some guy shouted at me, “You’re not theonly one who wants to talk. Other people do, too.”
The noise continued all afternoon.
At 4 p.m., we had standing count.
I also received a memo from Captain Marv Prieve, the security director. The subject was “Pending Conduct Report.” Captain Prieve’s memo stated: “I have received your letter to Mr. Davidson, dated 2/23/92. That conduct report was reviewed and determined to be a major offense. You will be afforded an opportunity to call witnesses and/or present evidence at your due-process hearing, which is scheduled for March 11, 1992, in Desegregation Unit 1. Until that time you will stay in DS-2, cell number two. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the hearing, you do have appeal rights.”
I remained in solitary confinement, Cell 2, from February 21 through March 11.
Being in solitary confinement, or temporary lockup, was almost as drastic as going to prison in the first place. It was a difficult adjustment. We couldn’t even socialize during meals, which we received through the trap on the door. Because all inmates on Units 1 and 2 were still on lockdown, all meals were in bags or on Styrofoam trays.
There was no television or a radio.
Recreation was three times a week instead of daily. I could have three showers a week and one ten-minute phone call.
Knowing I was innocent, I was frustrated. Maybe beyond frustrated. Iwanted to attend school, group meetings, canteen, recreation, and chapel services. I wanted to do the things that not only kept me occupied, but things that kept me on the right path. I wanted things that helped me in my journey to become a
good
person. Instead, I was confined to a cell.
Days were long; nights were longer. I spent my new-found “down-time” consumed with praying and reading my Bible, which was getting dog-eared with use. The long, cold days of February slowly turned into March.
Then, just as suddenly, my life became interesting. A new prisoner moved into DS-2, Cell 1, right next-door to mine.
Eleven
And So It Begins
If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord, or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am here in jail for Christ’s sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering. (II Timothy 1:8
, TLB)
On the afternoon of Monday, March 2, 1992, Dahmer transferred from the glass tank in Desegregation Unit 1 to Cell 1 in Desegregation Unit 2, right next to mine.
When Jeffrey arrived, I was reading my Bible and trying to talk with inmates in other cells about scriptures. At that point, I’d only been a Christian for a year and a half so I was by no means a biblical scholar. I enjoyed discussions about the Bible. Some inmates were believers; others were not.
Before Jeff arrived, some of the inmates on our tier, like inmates and citizens everywhere, were saying bad things about him. The majority were completely convinced he was a racist and hated minorities.
The scene was set and it wasn’t exactly a “welcoming committee.” Immediately after Dahmer arrived, verbal abuse and threats against him began.
“If I ever see you alone, I’ll kill you, you racist pig!” one inmate shouted.
The shouts and jeers escalated. Dahmer never said a word. One inmate asked what he did with all his victims. No response. More questions and jeers flew at him like, “Did the male parts taste good?” or “did you have a feast with all those feet you had on hand?”
Dahmer remained silent.
The questions, swearing, threats, jokes, and comments continued and got louder. I tried to defuse the situation and asked the other inmates to keep the noise down so I could talk to a few people. Some guy shouted at me, “You’re not theonly one who wants to talk. Other people do, too.”
The noise continued all afternoon.
At 4 p.m., we had standing count.
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