The ECHO, Volume 93, Number 1, February 2021 Page: 2
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2
The ECHO
about the ARMATUS incarcerated
1.
2.
3.
4.
date and company logo.
\ J
tattoos —besides it being against the
medical attention are definitely
I
TO TML
ELditor
list so I can call my friend in the free!
Just Askin’
Murray Unit
Dear Askin’,
the “how the dorm fan works” and how
We” decided this or that; I have but one
Dear Darby,
First and foremost, thank you for your
time. My name is Edward Luthi. I am
in the East Texas Treatment facility. I’m
a skilled writer of heartfelt poetry. I’m
I
>
so share if you can!
Respectfully,
Edward Luthi
East Texas Treatment facility
Dear Eddie,
Poetry is, by far, the most-submitted
-
3)ear
LETTERS
TO THE
DARBSTER
Dear Darby,
I’ve been meaning to write. In one
of the last few issues of The ECHO, I
don’t remember which one, someone
wrote about healthy choice changes in
commissary. Now, I’m all for health,
though 1 admit that I love my cookies just
as much as I do items such as mackerel.
But when I got to the part in the letter
To the editor,
I am to be released here in a few months.
I was wondering something. A few months
Look for The ECHO to continue publishing ag° you ran an article on how to set up the
future issues, although we cannot guarantee ^s- there any way you could send
talks about whether or not instant coflee to the poetry pile, so stay tuned and keep
----------------------„ „-------„ reading—you just might make the cut
increases cholesterol. It doesn’t. The two i
compounds in brewed coffee that could and get placed in the creative comer!
like to get rid of. Thanks!
Eric
Roach Unit
Dear Eric,
As a matter of fact, I DO have a bit
of pull with commissary—I pull that
commissary bag all the way back to the
..........g sure i.., ____, ______
Pecan is on top so 1 can get to it first! If s^e needed a clipper shave pass. Course
were
to be both he and she, because “They”
(Wes cousin) are on every unit and facility,
both mens and womens. Sometimes folks
just go along because that’s the way that
“They” always did it. No matter what “We”
or “They” say, there’s always another way.
Still, “We” just want to get along, so many
just go along with what “They” are doing.
Dear Darby,
I was thinking about how miserable
many of us guys are when our names
aren’t called at mail time. Then I started
thinking about how surely there are
female residents going through the same
thing. It occurred to me that it would be
Dear Darby,
I’ve been in prison 18 months, and with
all the weirdness of reserved dayroom
Unit I was
meetings. I have been unable to find
an address to write the program with
questions about available resources for
us veterans. Can you please publish an
address where we can reach ARMATUS?
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Ronald Peroni
Dominguez State Jail
To the reader,
The ARMATUS program
reached by writing to:
Armatus Reintegration Program
P.O. Box 9775
Huntsville, TX 77340.
Thank you for your inquiry.
about the elusive “We” who’s decided
everything for you and me:
Who is W?
Is “We" a he or a she?
is rr SPELLED
WITH ONE “E,” TWO OR THREE?
Oh, wait, rr changed after
COUNT, YOU SEE,
AND IT KNOCKED OUT YOU AND ME
BECAUSE, SADLY,
WE AREN’T PART OF “WE.”
NOW MY FRIEND’S HOME ALONE,
AND I CAN’T GET TO THE PHONE
UNTIL I’M TOLD
BY THIS RULE-SETTING “WE.”
SO, WHO IS THIS ELUSIVE “WE”?
For we’re all in white, you see.
IS IT ONE, TWO OR THREE?
Is IT YOU OR ME?
Please come forward,
ALL-POWERFUL “WE,”
SO WE MAY PROPERLY WORSHIP THEE!
Thanks, Darby, for letting me get that house, making
Dear Darby,
I imagine you have some
in Huntsville. Can you convince
commissary to sell a tattoo fade cream
like they sell in the world, like “Wrecking concern for the lonely, and it ain’t about
never hurts to ask. Thanks for your time
to read and respond to my inquiry.
Moises Flores
Ellis Unit
To the reader,
Thank you for writing; were glad you’ve
enjoyed these contest entries! Your letter is
a compliment and encouragement to the
writers who send in these special pieces.
contest finalists and honorable mentions in phone• You had three different ways to do
1 me
which entries will make it to print or when. the instructions on those three ways to set
Check in this issue for more printed contest UP the phone? My mother is also in prison
submissions. And—“Jefito” struck a
with a lot of folks, including us.
■ .
VOL 93 NO. 1
FEBRUARY 2021 • 12 PAGES •
PUBLISHED FOR 93 YEARS, SINCE 1928
CIRCULATION: 147,000 PER ISSUE
—MANAGEMENT—
Kristins Hartrran - Superintendent
Bamti Kiser- Managing Editor
Mary Partida - Graphics Consultant
—STAFF—
Todd R. Carman - Staff Writer & Graphics
John W. Flagg-Staff Writer & Graphics
William E. Hill -Staff Writer & Graphics
Bryan J. Moore - Staff Writer & Graphics
John J. Bippen - Staff Writer & Graphics
Tim G. Scoggin - Staff Writer & Graphics
—CONTRIBUTORS—
Seqjto D. Alvarez-Hightower Unit
Ruben Con.tantelr-Released
Ash eyDack-Mountaln view Unit
Jim Den:-Polunsky Unit
Greg Freeman-Allred Unit
Robert Fridell-Roach Unit
Joseph L. Fritz-Estelle Unit
Jae Hernandez-Jordan Unit
Lisa Jackson - Murray Unit
Dan el P. Meehan - Darrington Unit
Roger R. Reister- Coffield Unit
Tim Rovell-Dalhart Unit
Bruce Ruckman - Estes Unit
Eva Shelton - Lockhart Unit
Jennifer Toon - Released
Raymond Trinidad - Powledge Unit
Damon West-Released
Michael Wiese-Luther Unit
.11 MIT DFDADTFPC
“UIVII KtrUKItKb—
—
Cole State Jail/Moore Unit - Kelsie Whitten Jr.
Crain Unit-Jane Callaway
Dalhart Unit-Ryan Forbes
Dalhart Unit-Kenneth Dapp
Darrington Unit-Paul Gillette
Duncan Unit-Jim Brannen
Eastham Unit-Johnny L. Wooten
Ellis Unit-Thomas Quinones
Estelle Unit-Ervin Kay
Ferguson Unit - Broderick Brown
Hobby Unit - Misty Weaver
Hodge Urit-Mark Garrett
Hughes Unit - Toby Rod
Huntsville Unit - David McKay
Jester III Unit - Lucas Morgan
Luther Unit - Clifford Suranofsky
Lynaugh Unit - Larry A. Harris
McConnell Unit - Patrick Hoza
Middleton Unit - Ismael Pagan
Ney Unit- Alfredo Arizmendi
Powledge Unit-Joshua Garrison
SFSS
Woodman State Jail - Kathleen Miller
lhe ECHO is a criminal justice publication produced
by the publisher and staff for use by those confined
within the TDCJ. Submissions and letters may be sent
via truck mail io: Ute ECHO, c/o WSD Admin. Bldg,
or regular mail to: The ECHO, c/o WSD Admin. Bldg.,
P.O. Box 40, Huntsville, TX. 77342-0040. Permission
is granted for the reproduction of non copyrighted
materials, provided crecit is given to author and
publication. Due to the volume of submitted material,
unused material will NOT be returned to the sender.
The publisher reserves the right to edit all materials for
content and space. Any references to Internet sources
have been provided by WSD employees.
Annual subscriptions to lhe ECHO can be purchased
for $12. Monev orders o' personal checks must be made
out to lhe ECHO/WSD and sent to:
lhe ECHO, P.O. Box 40, Huntsville,TX 77342-0040.
ISSN 1530-7298.
£ 2021 D
To the editor,
I need a previous issue of The ECHO gonna have to wait until next year to read aspiring writers to send in material fo\
about the ARMATUS incarcerated 7* ’ x
veterans program. In 2018 at the Holliday issue with all of them, sort of like a special The ECHO—no contest required!
can be
, the essays from the list that was j
' in the November 2020 issue? There are a lot as the Eastham Unit reporter. Keep up
of titles that sound interesting to me. lhe the great work. We currently have no
article said lhe ECHO would be releasing plans to hold a poetry contest, nor have
more in the upcoming months. This raises we scheduled the next writing contest. We
the questions of which ones and are we do, however, encourage our readers and
.. ..... jjr
them. Maybe The ECHO can release an consideration and possible publication in
, ' __________________!
attending ARM ATU S edition? Just a thought. Please let me know.
If we are allowed to request just one or two To the editor,
I just want to say thank you to the mail
raise cholesterol, Cafestol and Kahweol,
are removed in instant coffee. That
said, everyone should leave our instant,
caffeinated coffee alone!
Thanks,
Chad Brubaker
Clements Unit
seats, the “how the phone line works,” Dear Chad,
I’m with you — they can pry my coffee a great idea to have an inmate pen pal list
“We” decided this or that; I have but one Cup from my cold, dead hands! Still,
question —who the heck is this “We”? I the guy was I......
not de-cholesterol coffee, so you kinda’
i you:
not so
much! Oh, while were talking healthy,
the Chowhound told me to tell y’all that
the new no-salt seasoning is awesome! So,
those of you watching your salt intake,
check it out! Now, did you ever dream it
would be a guy as salty as Darby offering
health tips?
chord ant^ Iwant to call her when I get out.
Thanks for your time and consideration!
Sincerely,
Nate
wondering if you have thought t0 the reader,
When you are released, go to the website
www.texasprisonphone.com. This site is
where callers enroll More information is
available at www.texasprisonphone.com/
faqs_general. In the meantime, here are the
basics:
• Registering post-paid cellphone or landline bill from your prepaid provider, you will
phone: You will need to upload a copy of need to send a screenshot from your online
your phone bill that includes your name account that shows your name and billing
and billing address, telephone number, bill address, telephone number, date and
date and company logo. company logo.)
off my chest. Now please excuse me so I
can check with “We” and get on the phone you have a suggestion on a product (and
by your letter, you do,) send them an
1-60 or letter. If folks see enough demand not allowed anymore... somethin’ you’d
for a product, you just might see it show know if you weren’t a drive-up with a
up on the shelves, just waiting for you to two million number. Ya’ dig?
put it on your SO-7 (commissary slip).
Oooh-we! You’ve got a point, you see! In the meantime, just say “No!” to prison
There’s many a “We” throughout the tattoos-besides it being against the
system, not just two or three. We seems rules and a possible vector of infection,
you just might have buyer’s remorse for
that rad tat!
Dear Darby,
Recently I experienced some health
issues, but I was greatly helped by the
medical department at the Daniels Unit.
Those folks saved my life! I am eternally
grateful to God, and to these medical
personnel for seeing me through some
very difficult times. They were truly
angels for me!
A Saved Man
sending one hoping you will have time John Doe
or space to share with others. I have lots Darnels Unit
more and am more than willing to share, Dear John,
God bless you for havin’ an attitude
of gratitude to the frontline workers
in medical. They have gone above and
beyond time and time again in these
difficult, COVID-tainted times. We
might not like being in here, but being
about decaffeinated coffee, I had to take material sent to The ECHO. Almost all of in prison doesn’t mean we don’t have
a stand. What’s the point?! Well, a few it is heartfelt, at least to the authors. Some blessings in life, and the folks giving us
weeks later I received my Consumer are skilled, some not so much, but they all medical attention are definitely one of
Reports magazine, and it was lhe “Best of tell an emotional tale from the author’s those blessings. Thanks for YOUR thanks
Health” issue. In this issue the magazine perspective. We added your contributions to those helping us who wear white!
here are the ones that I would like to read. j just wanl to say thank you to the mail
1) . “Lost Boy of the Barrio” by room personnel here at the Wynne Unit.
Richard Vasquez, Eastham Unit, All through this pandemic, they have
Honorable Mention. done an exceptional job with handling
2) . “The Devil In side of Me” by Filbert this overflow of mail. I just wanted to say
Watson, Scott Unit, Honorable Mention, ^ank you.
3) . “The Other Chain Gang” by Lily Arthur Bass
Archuleta, Murray Unit, Finalist. Wynne Unit
I fear I already know the answer but it T° rea^r,
Mail room workers (at every facility!)
have an often overlooked and underappre-
ciated job. Thank you for your recognition
of their efforts to serve the resident popula-
tion, especially in the times of CO VID.
February 2021
printed faithful and punctual ECHO contributor • Registering pre-paid cellphone: You will
need to upload a copy of your phone bill
that includes your name and billing ad-
dress, telephone number, bill date and
company logo. If you do not receive a
phone bill from your pre-paid provider,
you will need to send a screenshot from
your online account that shows your
name and billing address, telephone
number, cell phone company logo, and
the billing date.
Specifics for all phone registrations:
The name on your driver’s license must
match the name on your telephone
service bill/listing.
You must agree to the following
conditions:
• You are the registered owner of the phone
that will receive calls from the inmate.
• You will allow inmate calls to this phone.
• You are at least 18 years old.
• You will not forward calls, make 3-way
calls or use a speakerphone on calls re-
ceived from the inmate.
• You understand that eligible inmates are
not allowed to speak to any adult that is
not listed on their Approved Calling List.
If you don’t possess a Texas Drivers
License or State ID, you will be asked
to upload a photo or photocopy of your
out-of-state driver’s license.
If you have a cellphone, you will be
asked to upload a legible copy of your
last cell phone bill that shows:
• Cell Phone Number
• Customer Name
• Cell Phone Company Logo
• Billing Address (Note: Usually on the
first two pages)
• Monthly Basic Phone Charge (Note:
This Is usually on the Account Sum-
mary Page)
(If you are registering a pre-paid cell
phone and you do not receive a phone
To the editor,
I am writing in regards to the 2020
writing contest results that was printed in
the November 2020 issue of The ECHO. I
am not an avid reader of your paper at least
not until the March issue where I read a
finalist in the 2019 writing contest entitled
“Jefito is a Word.” It was awesome! It spoke
to my soul as a good book does—and this
was just a short essay. I guess it is because
1 could relate to the cultural side of it. So,
since that time I have been on the lookout
for more. Is there any way to request some
1
rn, ini mssa w
VOL. 93 NO. 1
6RIIARV?mi • 10 DAi'LC'L .
' ' 'f - ' f 'r~ ••
PUBLISHED FOR 93 YEARS, SINCE 1928
To the editor,
I am i
about a poetry contest. Also, do you have
a date in mind for a new writing contest?
Eastham is having a poetry contest this
spring, ending April 2021.1 will be writing
an article for the Eastham Unit about the
winners when the contest is finished.
Sincerely,
Johnny L. Wooten
Eastham Unit Reporter
To the reader,
Thank you for writing and being a
b IP-- Jrq
'g-
of inmates, male and female, who wanted
„ , talking about decaf coffee, to receive correspondence from other
was going to tape this on the dayroom not de-cholesterol coffee, so you kinda’ inmates. We could encourage each other
bul eUnboard butlusedmyheadinstead missed the point. Still, I’m with you: to set some educational goals, pray, and
an wr<> e o ar y.. o eres t e story caffeinated coffee—good; decaf, not so just help each other develop a fly attitude,
‘ya dig? On the real, Darby, I’ve seen
pictures of some beautiful, smart women
in The ECHO who would definitely be
a blessing in a man’s life if he wants to
fall in love with someone who shares his
same struggle.
Indigent Brothers Need Love, Too,
Brother Adkins
pull there Dear Indigent Brother Adkins,
So the truth finally came out at the
end of your letter. This ain’t about
T ________________________________J
Balm? I have ta^00 reBrets that Id no education or no prayer, or any of that
stuff, either. This is about you finding
yourself a penitentiary princess and
living happily ever after. Well, let me
tell you: it don’t work out the way you
imagine it does. See, once upon a time,
the Darbster had a female pen pal. She
got out and sent me a few dollars and
my pint of Buttered Pictures of herself. Let’s just say I’m sure
that was way back when we
allowed to write other residents. This is
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Texas. Department of Criminal Justice. The ECHO, Volume 93, Number 1, February 2021, newspaper, February 2021; Huntsville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1364631/m1/2/: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.