Pace e Bene

Franciscan priest and Pace e Bene staff member Friar Louis Vitale, 77, began serving a six-month prison sentence on Monday, January 25 for nonviolent, prayerful protest calling for closure of the School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, Georgia. On February 25 he was transferred from Crisp County Jail in Cordele, Georgia (where he spent his first  month after being processed briefly at Muscogee County Jail), to the US Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. He was then moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and now has arrived at FCI Lompoc.  To see other letters from Fr. Louie, click here.  Here is his mailing address:

Louis Vitale #25803-048

FCI Lompoc

Federal Correctional Institution

3600 Guard Road

Lompoc, Ca  93436

April 20, 2010: Getting adjusted to FCI Lompoc

Last Wednesday I heard the name“Vitale” called on my unit (K).  At first inquiry it seemed it was for someone else, and I went back to my bunk.  At some point I checked back with the C.O. and he checked the register number; it was for me!  My name had not been listed on the daily call-out posted at the entry of our unit. 

So, I went to the unit office and was ushered in to the Team meeting held for me (including my case manager, counselor and two other members of the team).  The chair of the meeting apologized for not posting the meeting, so I was off the hook for being late. 

I had met previously with my case manager to discuss my discharge on July 24, 2010.  A form was filled out regarding that discharge.  We went over the information and the way seemed clear. 

Today my name was on the GED class list, and here I am!

However, one requirement to be released from Federal Prison is to show proof of a high school diploma or GED certificate.  Otherwise an inmate must enroll in the GED course.

Over the weekend the assignments (“call-outs”) for Monday were posted.  I was assigned to Classroom #2 in the Education Bldg at 07:45 a.m. Monday morning!  I later was informed this would be the GED class; apparently there was no evidence of my high school graduation! 

Usually this is on one’s file—which lists our background.  It is normally filled out by the Federal Probation Offices prior to sentencing, but we, and the judge, had not used them at our sentencing since we accepted the sentence, and I chose to go directly into custody. 

So, today my name was on the GED class list, and here I am.  In speaking to a staff member, we discussed the best way to obtain this documentation.  Meanwhile I need to attend the GED where I am at this moment.  During the morning and afternoon there is a time to move from one area to the other; I was told I needed to stay here in the classroom until the end of the class at 10:45 a.m.

So, while a high school teacher is teaching elementary math I am writing this letter. 

I must admit that Bob Phares, of our legal team, had warned us to bring this documentation (high school diploma or GED certificate) to our hearing, but I neglected to do so, to my own current discomfort.  So I will hustle to obtain a satisfactory solution.

At the team meeting I was also told by my counselor, Mr. Escalante, that he had changed my work assignment.  Upon arrival we were listed under A & O  (Admissions and Orientation).  I was then moved to “unassigned.” 

I had discussed with the chaplin, Greg Nelson, about being “hired” as a chapel orderly.  He had sent an e-mail to the counselor, and I had sent him a “cop out”—a request indicating my desire for this placement, and also signed by Chaplain Nelson agreeing to “hire me” after “A & O” was completed.  So they had just made this designation, effective Friday.  I am elated!

I think I have previously noted that inmates in the Federal system are not allowed to practice their profession, be it as a lawyer, dentist or priest.  When I was at Nellis Camp in 2003 that was made clear to me, but I was allowed to be hired as an orderly on the chapel staff—which I did.  This seems to be the same situation here. 

For me, my desire is to be in that environment.  It is a special place for many here to gather for religious services (of various faiths) in libraries, meetings areas, etc., including a nice garden and lawn area.  Outside of that area, near the recreation yard, is an outdoor space/garden, which has a meditation space for meditation practitioners, and daily rosary prayer, and also space for Native American religious practices including a sweat lodge,  a fire pit, etc.

The Chaplain took a week’s vacation after Easter (bicycling up Hwy 1), and told me we would talk about my tasks and contributions on his return.  Once again, “Let go, and let God” worked!

So, the pieces have been falling into place for my short tenure here.  Once again I am reminded my time here (my sentence) is very short—almost as if,  “Does all this really matter?”  The meetings with my case manager and team make it even clearer how short it is; while still in orientation I began planning for discharge.

Life goes on at different levels.  There are institutional demands.  There are also social “rules,” unwritten, but very present. 

In prison there is a certain amount of segregation primarily regarding our security.  Here we have a penitentiary which has been changed to a medium security (from a maximum security).  The FCI (Federal Correctional Institution) is a “low security.” There is also a camp nearby which is minimum.  The notable differences are a big wall for penitentiaries for highest security; an FCI has fences; a camp has no walls or security fences.

Because of “gangs,” various groups—such as Africam American and Latinos — are segregated, even by gangs within their ethnic group.  Usually there are identifications clues—tatoos, colors, haircuts and such. Here the inmates determine segregation – redefining the categories—Whites, Blacks, Latinos. Asian Americans, Native Americans, etc. 

A relatively recent phenomenon appears, most notably to “Whites” – the high prevalence of those convicted as child molesters (“Cho Mos”) at this facility.  FCI’s seem an appropriate security level for them as they are not a high risk to others here, but could re-offend if given too much freedom. 

The inmates in all these categories stake out areas in the dorms and the “chow hall,” and “hang out” together in the rec areas.  I find this very uncomfortable and I am unaccustomed to such behavior. 

It was a while before someone clued me into this phenomenon.  I had shown one of the reports in the School of the Americas Watch’s newspaper “Presente”  of our trial showing a picture outside the court as we came in (me in brown robes).  The write-up described our charges for federal trespassing; our sentences; my being taken into custody immediately to the county jail in Columbus, GA, and finally, here I am.  This is more commonly called “showing your paper.”  With me it was informal, but some wanted this clarification.

For me this is a daily struggle—I will not sit only with whites who are exclusive.  Some label them as “haters”; they can be very offensive.  Others seem too exclusive—just as a preference—but I see Jesus as coming for everyone.  No matter what one’s offense might be, Jesus said he comes for sinners, and the gospels even notes that he entered their homes and sat with them.

One of the “Seckerwood <?>  whites,” as he refers to himself, assured his fellow “whites” that I am a Christian and Franciscan, and would surely relate to anyone, just as Jesus did.  I try to do that.

One might see this exclusiveness and occasional violence or attacks as judgment on the relationships here in this facility.  That is a reality, but on the other hand, I experience a great amount of reaching out to others.  From the moment I arrived I found inmates reaching out, constantly asking me, “Do you need anything—ie: toothpaste, toothbrush, shower togs, etc.”  I have difficulty hearing, and my memory slips on the most basic information, so I need a lot of assistance—and I get it; so do others.  In many ways there is a sense of community here—and I appreciate it as do most of the others.

Peace to each of you—

Louie

Gratitude to Sherri Maurin for transcribing this letter.

Click here to see all of the letters Fr. Louie has sent to Pace e Bene.