07/31/06 Awareness Boosted During Prison Stay

Three months in prison and five days in segregated confinement increased Fred Brancel's awareness of self, society and friendship.

Brancel, 79, of Monona,, was sentenced to a $500 fine and time at Oxford Federal Correctional Institution in Adams County for trespassing at a military school at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Last November, Brancel participated in a peaceful protest with an estimated 19,000 activists against the Army's Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation -- formerly the School of the Americas.

Opponents of the school say it trains its Latin American students in terrorism, torture, counterinsurgency and union-busting techniques. The school is partially funded by tax dollars.

During his time in prison, Brancel left behind his wife, Mary Ann Litwiller. "It was lonely without him," Litwiller said, "but I was kept company with e-mails, phone calls and letters."

Brancel and Litwiller celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary during visiting hours at the prison. He has been out for several weeks.

Although Litwiller was lonely without her companion, Brancel was accompanied by fellow prisoner of conscience, Buddy Bell, 23, of Chicago.

Bell trespassed on military grounds with Brancel and 41 other peace activists. Six of those committing civil disobedience were from Wisconsin.

Bell proved to be a "surrogate grandson" to Brancel, especially when he voluntarily went to segregated confinement with him.

When Brancel reported that he had removed a razor blade from his neck one morning, he was escorted to segregated confinement for his own safety. Brancel said he did not give any information to guards about who may have cut him. In his cell there were about six inmates bunking in the concrete room.

"Buddy and I were cross-examined in the SHU (Security Housing Unit) by an officer. He said that in his 16 years as a guard, he had not known of anyone so honorably volunteering to accompany someone to the SHU," Brancel said. The cell contained a bunk bed and no windows and allowed for no concept of time. Brancel said they guessed what time it was by the distribution of meals.

He spoke highly of Bell.

"He was my leaning pole. We intentionally attended various religious services as a gesture of solidarity," Brancel said.

The two friends made connections with other inmates during Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and Muslim services. Those in prison varied in race, age, religion, intellect and interest, Brancel said, but minorities made up the majority of inmates. That fact was upsetting to Brancel, who said he believes in rehabilitation of inmates, not retribution.

"Two-thirds of the inmates will be coming back after they are released because they have not been properly prepared," Brancel said. Most of the inmates were "very congenial and supportive," and Brancel asked them to write out personal information they were willing to share with him.

"One man wrote that he was a nice cocaine dealer. I scratched out the nice' and wrote honest because not everyone was willing to share why they were in there. I was more concerned about not knowing," Brancel said.

Some inmates remained withdrawn and distant, Brancel said, partly because of the circumstances of being in prison and partly because he was inquiring about their personal situation.

Brancel remained healthy during his sentence, except for a loose crown while flossing. His physician's son recommended that Brancel stay on the RESB (reflection, exercise, shower and bed) formula to maintain physical and emotional well-being.

"Physical fitness was very apparent among the inmates. I would use the exercise bike for 12 to 15 miles every day. Mary Ann thinks I actually increased my muscles, so I got one when I went home," Brancel said with a laugh.

The typical day in prison started with a bed check at 4 a.m., a pill line for medications at 5:45 and breakfast at 6. Brancel was assigned to washing windows, which he enjoyed because he could see people visiting the facility. Lunch was served at 10 a.m. and dinner commenced at 3 p.m. Brancel said he quickly became accustomed to the bizarre schedule.

Although the military school is not well-known, protests have heightened awareness in Congress.

Political leaders who oppose the school include U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., who introduced a bill calling for a congressional investigation into the school's programs. The bill has 126 co-sponsors, including Baldwin.