BamBiPurr
12-19-2003, 11:17 PM
(Just a few notes of explaining about some of the references here: the inmates in Az wear orange, the officers wear brown. A Corrections Officer is called "CO" by the inmates. IMS is Incident Management System, whereby those assigned on the team that shift have specific functions and do ONLY that function. It is a way to keep order during non-usual circumstances. Same goes for Dart, Desitnated Armed Response Team, though all six of those members are armed with different weapons...kneeknockers, shotguns, etc.)
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHISTMAS AT THE PRISON
'Twas the night before Christmas and all along the runs,
a cold, lonely holiday had officially begun.
The inmates, soon nestled all snug in their beds,
would have visions of freedom dancing in their heads.
Their work boots were polished and lined up with care,
in hopes an officer would take pity, and share.
The C.O.s with their handcuffs, the sarge with his mace,
were hoping that no one would get in their face.
When alas! On the field there arose such a clatter,
we sprang from our chairs to see what was the matter!
Away to the gates we took off like the wind,
turned up our radios and intently listened.
Though the dust on the track was stirred up and hazy,
it revealed, what at first, seemed impossible and crazy!
And what, to our questioning eyes did we spy?
Hundreds of rioting inmates, but we didn’t know why!
How did they all get out? How had this begun?
Then we knew in a minute...the locks they had spun.
The sarge called control - an IMS was in place...
He called up the A-Team - they had weapons and mace.
Then the radio crackled, the call was put forth...
Dart Team! Assemble! Control must be restored!
Dart 1, 2, and 3...respond on the double!
Dart 4, 5, and 6...our yard is in trouble!
And what caused this riot, and the anger to appear?
The boxes from home were not coming this year!
No fruitcake, no fudge, no tamales, or ham...
All the commissary offered were donuts and spam.
This was not well received, they were vexed and upset...
They were hostile and troubled, so they had no regrets.
The dart team assembled, the order was given...
The sides were drawn up, though some had misgivings.
As we set down to strike, and the teams were at ready,
all were suddenly startled by a noise, sweet and steady.
It rebounded off buildings, and echoed off walls,
then the noise became singing, which was witnessed with awe.
Both inmates and officers, confused and unsure,
were halted, and silenced with the song sung so pure.
It spoke of forgiveness, of love, and of sin...
It spoke of regrets, and of beauty within.
Not a sound interrupted...not a movement was made,
and when the lights started shining, we all were amazed.
Then a feeling of peace encircled the yard,
and we all stood transfixed, orange and brown, near and far.
The singing stopped suddenly, and silence fell deep...
Some dropped to their knees to worship and weep.
Then the singing resumed, and we all looked around,
and discovered it came now, from those on the ground.
The inmates were shaken, DOC was the same,
though some of us know why this miracle came.
The spirit was needed on this night of The Lord,
And a new understanding was brought to us all.
Laying down hidden weapons, the inmates were quiet...
The Lord, on this holy night, had averted a riot.
They returned to their rooms, not a word from us spoken...
The incredible spell just could not be broken.
And as they looked towards the field before closing their doors,
what they saw were the teams, still filled with awe.
The silence was heavy, as the sergeant spoke low...
"Merry Christmas, my officers, God is with us, we know."
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHISTMAS AT THE PRISON
'Twas the night before Christmas and all along the runs,
a cold, lonely holiday had officially begun.
The inmates, soon nestled all snug in their beds,
would have visions of freedom dancing in their heads.
Their work boots were polished and lined up with care,
in hopes an officer would take pity, and share.
The C.O.s with their handcuffs, the sarge with his mace,
were hoping that no one would get in their face.
When alas! On the field there arose such a clatter,
we sprang from our chairs to see what was the matter!
Away to the gates we took off like the wind,
turned up our radios and intently listened.
Though the dust on the track was stirred up and hazy,
it revealed, what at first, seemed impossible and crazy!
And what, to our questioning eyes did we spy?
Hundreds of rioting inmates, but we didn’t know why!
How did they all get out? How had this begun?
Then we knew in a minute...the locks they had spun.
The sarge called control - an IMS was in place...
He called up the A-Team - they had weapons and mace.
Then the radio crackled, the call was put forth...
Dart Team! Assemble! Control must be restored!
Dart 1, 2, and 3...respond on the double!
Dart 4, 5, and 6...our yard is in trouble!
And what caused this riot, and the anger to appear?
The boxes from home were not coming this year!
No fruitcake, no fudge, no tamales, or ham...
All the commissary offered were donuts and spam.
This was not well received, they were vexed and upset...
They were hostile and troubled, so they had no regrets.
The dart team assembled, the order was given...
The sides were drawn up, though some had misgivings.
As we set down to strike, and the teams were at ready,
all were suddenly startled by a noise, sweet and steady.
It rebounded off buildings, and echoed off walls,
then the noise became singing, which was witnessed with awe.
Both inmates and officers, confused and unsure,
were halted, and silenced with the song sung so pure.
It spoke of forgiveness, of love, and of sin...
It spoke of regrets, and of beauty within.
Not a sound interrupted...not a movement was made,
and when the lights started shining, we all were amazed.
Then a feeling of peace encircled the yard,
and we all stood transfixed, orange and brown, near and far.
The singing stopped suddenly, and silence fell deep...
Some dropped to their knees to worship and weep.
Then the singing resumed, and we all looked around,
and discovered it came now, from those on the ground.
The inmates were shaken, DOC was the same,
though some of us know why this miracle came.
The spirit was needed on this night of The Lord,
And a new understanding was brought to us all.
Laying down hidden weapons, the inmates were quiet...
The Lord, on this holy night, had averted a riot.
They returned to their rooms, not a word from us spoken...
The incredible spell just could not be broken.
And as they looked towards the field before closing their doors,
what they saw were the teams, still filled with awe.
The silence was heavy, as the sergeant spoke low...
"Merry Christmas, my officers, God is with us, we know."