04.07.08

I left home early this morning to beat the truck's converging on downtown Auckland in order to protest against the government’s egregious road tax hikes. Seemed darker and colder than usual but it wasn't, just the body telling the mind it had to be, early rising was evil, earlier equals colder and darker. Friday also means me putting out the rubbish and since this includes the recycling I get to see a reflection of my liver, or what's left of it. Seemed a long week this morning (seems longer tonight) and so I fell into the car and let Tupac tell me he wasn't mad at me (still). Cruising in was fun (if coming to work can be that) as at 0530 it's pretty much free flow and nothing much bugs ya, of course getting closer to work tends to flatten the mood. I rounded a bend and came up to a construction site on the side; a big black sign with white writing caught my attention

WAY OUT

And whilst I don't think I'm that special,


I felt a sense of warmth and happiness at such a compliment.





But work quickly sucked that out of me.

In the midst of all the bullshite there are people and times that make you smile, whether you should or not.

I have one mentally unwell prisoner whom we shall call George. He has been acutely unwell for months and continues to fluctuate in levels of risk to others and from others, very paranoid and persecuted; we have had to revert him back to separate management due to deterioration.

He is due his Intra Muscular Injection (IMI) today.

All the prisoners and officers in SNU and probably some of the prisoners in the wings above us also know.

How?

Here is George in his safe cell wearing his pants as a poncho, long black hair damply splayed in 360 degree arcs, swaying side to side singing/yelling at the top of his voice -

"Where is David Barnett, Where is my risperidone injection David Barnett, where's my injection, where is David Barnett, are you there David Barnett?"

There was not much tune to it but the message was effective and if nobody in this prison of 500+ was not aware of my last name I'm pretty sure they are now.

I saw George in his cell and he said "Choice" when I told him I would be back soon with his injection, anyone that says "Choice" about being told they are about to have a large needle inserted into their butt should generally be considered mentally unwell and this case would be proof in point.

We unlocked George and in his usual Gollum like manner he scampered behind me as we walked to the office, I could hear him scuffling along, muttering to himself, I couldn't see his face but knew it had a grin on it. We got to the office and he jumped into position and pulled down the correct side of his pants for the injection (may be psychotic but never forgets which side it is due on), a loud Karakia and then the injection.

After he turned and looked at me closely for a time, not really saying anything, just looking, he looked sad for a moment, then grinned and bounded away saying "Choice".



Been a long week.







The Grey Madness