Page 1 of Judas

Prologue

Today

Lisa: Welcome back to News8. I am your host, Lisa Brinkley, here with my co-host, Scott Jennings. We bring you a concerning story from one of the country’s most notorious prisons. Seventeen years ago, Darkwater Correctional Institute, which is tucked away within one of Michigan’s state parks, experienced one of the worst prison mass casualty events in its history. Several correctional officers, staff members and inmates lost their lives in the matter of an hour. Tonight, we have received word it has happened again, and this time, civil rights activists have put their foot down and are demanding change.

Scott: As they should, Lisa. The facts are, inmates were able to bypass security measures and get the upper hand on the entire staff. The Scorpion Incident should have made more major headlines, but it didn’t. The country brushed it under the rug, and now here we are again. Seventeen years have passed, and the people are seeking answers as to what kind of precedent this is setting for other prisons across the United States. In this news special, we have Delaney Yarborough, a representative from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, here with us to answer some of the community's most pressing questions. Delaney, it is nice of you to join us tonight. Tell us—what is going on out there?!

Delaney: Thank you, Scott, Lisa. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is horrified to see another incident like the Scorpion event from over a decade ago. While we are conducting a full investigation to determine how this happened, we are mobilizing law enforcement in order to assist the surrounding communities–should they experience any inter-prison backlash.

Lisa: That’s encouraging to hear, Delaney. I guess our most pressing question is: what in the world happened?

Delaney: While the investigation is ongoing, I’m not at liberty to discuss any of our current findings. However, this incident seems to have taken place at a much smaller scale— though a ‘break’ is concerning, the size of this event does all for a particular advantage to law enforcement. That said, investigators are not sure if the smaller magnitude of this incursion is due to the response times of the CERT teams and effective counterintelligence, or if the incident itself was less organized than the Scorpion occurrence. Rest assured, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has every intention of discovering how this new uprising got out of hand. As well as, prosecutingthose who have committed new crimes or aided the prison population in their attempt at overthrowing Darkwater.

Lisa: Can you explain to our viewers what a CERT team is and why they matter in these types of situations?

Delaney: Absolutely. A CERT team is similar to a SWAT team. They are called into highly volatile situations within correctional facilities, ranging from maximum security prisons all the way down to juvenile delinquent centers. Basically, they stop the threat and have intensive training to subdue some of the country’s most violent criminals while protecting any victims with less overall loss of life. Including the potential loss of life for inmates— although there are federal laws in place to allow for a certain amount of force to be used, CERT teams are highly versed in take down procedures that ensure the safety and survival of prisoners too.

Scott: You say the most violent, but when the Scorpion investigation was performed, it was discovered that there were about forty-eight prisoners serving time in Darkwater without having a violent history. For example, inmate Kace Patton, son of Patton Technical CEO, Franklin Patton. He was sentenced to life in prison for a motor vehicle accident without any prior history of violence. His case has since grown cold, and in the opinion of some of our viewers and myself, he shouldn’t have been placed in a maximum security setting to begin with. Can you tell us what the Federal Bureau of Prisons is doing to ensure inmates are being categorized and placed in more appropriate facilities?

Delaney: Unfortunately, I cannot discuss the ongoing court case between the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the State of Michigan regarding the Scorpion incident, or the death of thoseinvolved. What I can say is, the FBoP is doing everything it can to audit each facility within the country. In doing so, the Bureau is focused on ensuring each complex is maintaining adequate space for each inmate, and following through with all compliance guidelines. Though each facility is slightly different from others, it is customary that prisons follow the regulations set forth by the FBOP. Including a prison's responsibility for inmate custody, care, control, confinement, and cost-effectiveness of housing the 1.23 million prisoners throughout the United States and its additional territories.

Lisa: Does the Bureau have any concerns that other prison populations will repeat a similar incident as to the Scorpion riot at Darkwater?

Delaney: Without going into grave detail surrounding Darkwater’s incapability of maintaining their inmate population, the Bureau has given me the authority to state that there is no current concern. But in the unlikely event that an escalating event translates into another facility, and to aid in de-escalating mass panic, the public will be alerted immediately. And in following, pointers and education will be promptly provided as in what to do and not to do if a civilian is approached by an inmate and taken hostage.

Scott: Well, that is a bit ominous to say the least. According to research, there have been several prison breaks and, at times, some of the suspects have never been caught. While there doesn’t seem to be a current threat of prison escapees, can you share some of the pointers you just mentioned? In a world where high-profile incidents may progress rapidly, it feels appropriate to keep our viewers informed to the best of our ability.

Delaney: Of course, Scott. Viewers should steer clear of areas that house inmates first and foremost. The best way to prevent an interaction is to avoid all possible locations that may present a threat. If you do find yourself in what we consider a ‘hot zone,’ keep your cellphone on you and make sure it is fully charged. If the battery is already low, turn the brightness down, turn off the ringer, and refrain from using it unless you have a safe moment of opportunity. While you may not be able to use it in a hostage situation, it will continue to ping your GPS location.

If you are approached in your vehicle, leave. Do not be afraid to put your automobile in drive and punch the gas—which can be said for any volatile situation and not just dealing with an escaped convict. If you are traveling on foot, try to migrate back to a more crowded place. As most abductions are less likely to happen in areas of high foot traffic. If you are taken hostage, cooperate until you are either able to escape or fight. While this may sound daunting, you want to stay alive at all costs—even if you sustain injuries. Finally, attempt to discreetly connect with law enforcement while held, and if or when released, go to your nearest police department or fire station for safety. In all, I cannot stress how important it is to be mindful of your surroundings.

Scott: Never in my wildest dreams did I ever consider the fact that I would be sitting on live TV receiving a lesson on prison hostage situations—or how to not be abducted. Is there anything else you would like to add, Delaney?

Delaney: Always stay vigilant. Careful observation of your immediate environment is a safety measure you can utilize in your daily activities, not just during the threat of prison breaks and hostage situations. You always need to maintain your ownlevel of personal security. Which can be done by keeping your eyes open and off your cellphones. You will always be your best weapon, and the first line of defense is seeing what is coming at you. Put the cellphones away, eliminate distractions, and lock yourself behind a door as soon as you are able.

Lisa: Very informative Delaney, I hope our viewers at home are taking these pointers to heart, and writing them down. Basic safety is no joke in today’s world. What is the plan for Darkwater moving forward?

Delaney: Currently, all prisoners are being transferred out of the institute and distributed across the country in states they may have committed other crimes in. Or, in some instances, other facilities which house inmates that retain the same classification or categorization.

Once all of the populations have been migrated, there will be a complete overhaul of Darkwater. Which will include a second round of renovations, new and more effective security measures, as well as better structured and more stringent training programs for officers and staff. At this point, Darkwater is not functional and the Federal Bureau of Prisons looks forward to seeing the next generation of prison security—setting a new example with this problematic institution.

Scott: Thank you very much for being with us here tonight, Delaney. Ladies and gentlemen, you heard it here first on News8. With prison reform on the horizon, we wait on pins and needles to see what will become of the nation’s oldest prison. Will Darkwater survive the reform, or will the doors close forever on this infamous institution?

“Hmmph. What do they know? Everyone has the answers when they’re not the ones sitting directly in the line of fire. Did youknow that?” I ask, turning the TV off before flinging the remote onto the bed between us. The slight sound muted by the softness of the comforter that has seen better days yet is now left thread bare and stained with fluids God himself would be happy to condemn. Still though, the crispy static of the TV is all that is left despite the girls whining.

Her whimpers, and the insistent huffing through the gag I wrapped around her mouth and head, are beginning to rake on every one of my nerves. The ones that are left anyhow—now that I’ve had her in my possession for the past few days. This was supposed to be a happy reunion. One where I can reconnect with‘long lost’family and share my world with them. A bit more appealing than sitting in the bowels of yet another prison, rotting away.

Long ago, thegoodDetective Whitlock, promised me something far more appalling than what I have experienced. And truth be told, I’m rather disappointed with what he considered ‘awful’. He implied that I’d end up somewhere the sun wouldn’t reach, where the world would never hear from me again. At least, that’s what he wanted me to believe. Quite frankly, other than a few piddly kills here or there, I’ve been bored. It’s no surprise that Whitlock didn’t have any sort of pull to have me tossed into a hole, but I wish he did. I would have been a lot more entertained over the years, playing with the investigators, batting them around the chess board and leading them on wild goose chases. Or should I say cases?

Hah!

A small chuckle tickles my throat, almost escaping, but like this… girl… nothing leaves me. Ever. Looking over at her, I note how she’s cowered on the opposite side of the bed. Cramming her smaller frame into a corner as if that would stop me, or keep me away. All that it’s really doing is rubbing the stink from this musty hotel room all over her soft skin and permeating the fibersof her clothing. She should really count her lucky stars. I’d rather we sleep in a ditch than create any sort of paper trail. But no, the poor little thing wanted a bathroom and was cold. I guess hiding in the trunk I threw her in wasn’t a five-star service she was willing to experience.

I’m a psychopath, not heartless.

She wanted a bed, too bad she will be sleeping pinned between the mattress and a cockroach-entrails speckled wall. Beggars can’t be choosers, right? I’m quite the gentleman after all, ensuring the lady in waiting has all the amenities other captives like her are privy to.

Bouncing my legs, I stare at her from across the burnt orange blanket, the remote glaring back at me. Angry that I threw it across the way instead of placing it on the side table where it was initially setting. Scolding me for what I have done as if it has feelings despite being an inanimate object. Keeping her head down, she sniffles on occasion, adding to the other aggravating meek sounds she keeps filling the room with. The antagonizing shade of her bright blond hair irritates me just as much as her stupid whimpers.

---