I Hate My Prison Dorm so Much, I Enjoyed COVID-19 Quarantine in the Box

In his COVID-19-themed prison memoir, Corey Devon Arthur, an inmate at Fishkill Correctional Facility in New Jersey and other correctional institutions since 1997, reflects on the challenges of communal living during the pandemic. Having grown accustomed to solitary confinement as a high-security prisoner, Devon laments his transition into an open dorm with 30 other men, a stark contrast to the outside world’s shift from socialization to isolation. Struggling with the loss of control in shared spaces, Devon acknowledges the potential for violence arising from the stress of group living. His narrative highlights the divergent experiences during the pandemic and underscores the inherent tension between isolation and collectivity. As someone who values solitude and safety, Devon’s account serves as a reminder of the confinements imposed by pandemic protocols, resembling restrictions imposed from above rather than literal incarceration. Through his perspective, Devon exposes the dire conditions in American prisons, which not only jeopardize the physical safety of inmates but also hinder their rehabilitation efforts. He concludes his memoir with a powerful plea for the safety of his cell, where he finds solace and a sense of home: “In the cell, I am Self, Lord and Master. In the cell, I am safe. I am home” (Devon).