I read with great interest the story regarding prison overcrowding and plans to award a contract to privatize the state’s prison commissaries. [State Adds 1,000 New Prison Cells To Ease Overcrowding, Dec. 10 issue, Page 4]

The denial of weekly store foods and supplies is one of the most enjoyed passive-aggressive games played by the store/property correctional officer. The officer at SMU I in Florence [Eyman Complex] gets a tremendous ego feed by delaying delivery of outside books and periodicals. He puffs up when he refuses to send store supplies to inmates.

He has no need to worry about lack of profitability hurting his paycheck. He also knows that his superiors won’t sanction him for failing to send items to inmates. Inmates can’t riot, for they are locked up in cells without a yard. Written complaints are discarded at all levels of administration, for there is an institutional belief that “all inmates are wrong.”

The SMU I property officer has refused my store requests three times in the past six weeks. He is very upset that I am filing erudite complaints about his failing to meet minimal standards.

I look forward to private enterprise removing this man from his “pigeon hole” of power. I am willing to pay more if they send it on time. It will also improve inmate-staff relations. The inmates will no longer dehumanize the “brown suits” if they allow us to access store supplies.

Brian Finkel, Inmate No. 182486, SMU I 3D47 / Eyman Complex, Florence