This story was told by a person incarcerated at Donovan.
Caller: Inmates’ concern – a big concern is not being able to see our families because visitation is shut down.
Guys are worried about one small outbreak spreading to, you know, spreading quickly. Because we don’t know what that will mean for the rest of the yard. I think a big part of it is the additional shock is over.
And the problem is this like continuing – it feels like a drawn out process for a lot of guys. And they’re kind of wanting to get back to normal, just as everybody is. But seeing each other’s family is the biggest issue right now.
UCI: Yeah. That
Caller: You know.
UCI: makes sense.
Caller: And, obviously, we can’t do that.
UCI: How has this been affecting your family, if you don’t mind me asking?
Caller: It has been difficult. There has been a lot of change in my family right now. And, without going into too much detail, I don’t know how I will see them in the future.
Because, well, I could have been able to see them before. But, going into the future – if visiting opens up, say, tomorrow or something – then, I won’t be able to see them. So – my family – it’s difficult because there was no like, I guess, closure. And, again, without going into too much detail, but it has been difficult in my family.
One of my close family members – I’m kind of the only person that they go see. So they kind of feel isolated that they can’t go out and see family. Because this particular family member doesn’t have a lot of family in the area. So there was that one connection.
Letters are great. Phone calls are great. But there is still something lost between that face-to-face sit down at a table with someone. So it has been very difficult for my family that is here.
UCI: I’m sorry to hear that.
Caller: Yeah. Well, it’s, you know, that’s the way it is for everybody, unfortunately. You know? Not just people in here.
UCI: Yeah.
Caller: But there’s a lot of guys who want to see their wives, a lot of guys who want to see their parents. Aging population has aging parents.
