Only a few states have hoe squads. I think one day they'll determine it cruel and unusual punishment. I think its just so ridiculous.

Pods just posted a news article about someone in wrightsville dying.

They just do "busy" work all day with the hoes. Chop here, chop there, chop in rhythm, move grass, cut grass... It's not like the goal is for them to accomplish anything most of the time (like tilling the soil for planting). It's just a "welcome to prison bad boy" ritual and i find it very backward!

They just do "busy" work all day with the hoes. Chop here, chop there, chop in rhythm, move grass, cut grass... It's not like the goal is for them to accomplish anything most of the time (like tilling the soil for planting). It's just a "welcome to prison bad boy" ritual and i find it very backward!
Ah yes, the dreaded Hoe Squad, bane of every convict that can't get work in the kitchen. I agree entirely that it is an exercise in futility, the prisoners know it, the guards know it, the administration knows it. In Texas, the hoe squad is alive and well and turning out victims every day, my fellow prisoners and I would spend hours debating the various conspiricy theories that could make the hoe squad if not justified then at least necessary. I always figured it was because the guards had to have a reason to ride horses all day, but that could be some residual cowboy mentality on my part. There isn't any work about it, it's neither productive or necessary. Whenever hoe squad turns out there are always tractors right behind them that carries water for the water breaks and the cage for any punishment necessary. Some of the quietest riots, ones you don't hear about, happen on the field. If two guys have been wanting to get at each other and they are housed seperately, they can always find each other on the field. I understand that the system finds it easier to watch the captive's if their already exhausted (didn't Nazi Germany have the same concept for their work camps). I did almost three years on a five year sentance, and for two of those I worked in the Officer Dining Room, before I got "fired" and banished to the hoe squad. It wasn't hard work, it was just stupid work. It has a very negative effect when you're outside sweating for no accomplishment, sooner or later you just have to get past the point where there is no point. One of the lonliest feelings in the world is being out on the field close to a highway and see the inevitible car drive by that could have been you in a time before this. I think you need some kind of distraction, something just to do, because when men have too much time to think, we tend to turn inward, on ourselves. This would be great if you have an understanding of how to deal with all those sins and shadows in your soul, but most men do not, and instead of turning inward in a reflective, insightful manner, they turn their rage inward. I used my time in prison as an ashram, I exorcised every demon in my soul, and returned a stronger creature.
But yes, Hoe Squad sucks and is a complete waste of time.

Wow, powerful post Dragonslayer. I completely agree that hoe squad should be deemed cruel and unusual punishment. My fiance was on hoe squad for his first year, and those were definitely the darker times of this experience.

When my son met with the warden in reception, he looked over his papers and said "college boy, huh? We'll just see how the pretty college boy likes the hoe squad." He languished on the hoe squad for 18 months. He was on the hoe squd longer than anyone else and felt like it was for spite because he was not a "typical" inmate. He has callouses that break open and bleed after 6 months off the hoe squad. it is another form of punishment as if being in prison wasn't punishment enough.

My boyfriend ( husband to be ) is in a Arkansas Prison . He was on hoe squad also his exact words to me is " hoe squad is no joke down here they work our butts off for nothing " I live in Arkansas also myself . I do agree that it is just another form of punishment like one of you said like being in prison isnt enough . Well i guess Shawn didnt want no part of that hoe squad so he did what he had to do to get it over with and move on to the next level . Hes not on hoe squad no more !!!!

My husband was on it when he first got sent to benton Work release...he had to use a kyser(spelling????)blade,,,his hands was in such a mess,,,I felt SO bad for him,,I mean d@mn,,,he was in Work Release,,,and he was having to go through all that all over again,,,,,I think it is totally rediculous...I really feel bad for these guys, they have it SO bad,,,not only with the work,,,but the way they have to live,,,I mean I understand it shouldn't be like the Holiday Inn for them....but COME ON!!!!! I will be so glad when Matt is home is this is just a memory.......