On Feb. 22, as I watched the snow fall from my cell window, I was shocked that a prison could produce such a beautiful sight. It looked like I was inside a snow globe that someone had shaken; silent, calming and beautiful. 

The huge snowflakes began falling at 5:30 p.m., but New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill had declared a state of emergency a day in advance of the blizzard. Meteorologists on the news said a storm is categorized as a blizzard when winds reach 35 mph or higher.

The day of the storm, first-shift officers nervously worked from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., hoping to make it home before the snow started. But their hopes were dashed by emergency measures that closed roads to nonessential vehicles. Instead, first- and second-shift officers alike had to hunker down and stay overnight at the facility. 

A North Hall housing unit officer was still holding out hope of the travel bans being lifted until well after 8 p.m. Sunday night. When I entered the unit from work, shaking snow from my state-issued khaki coat and skull hat, she called out to me.

“I want to go home, Stone! Is it really bad out there? Is it still coming down hard or has it tapered off some?” she asked. 

I sensed her slight panic and felt bad for her. I did not want to confirm the officer’s fears. But yes, it was bad. And yes, she was stuck.

Sgt. Pudowski entered the building shortly after I did. On my way down the wing to my room, I could hear him talking to the officer through his smile: “Always keep a set of clothes or a bag in your car for times like this.”

Sgt. Pudowski has worked at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women for some years. He has experienced storms where he has had to shelter in place or hunker down, but for newer officers this was a learning experience.

If it were me having to stay, I would have whipped out a deck of playing cards, got a game of spades going and made it a little fun. 

The following morning, snow was still falling when I asked an officer if he enjoyed the sleepover. His face said it all, but he still replied, “No!” 

Later, I asked another, younger male officer if he enjoyed the sleepover. He too replied no.

I went to work, where I asked South Hall officers how they liked the sleepover. The younger female officers did make the best of the situation by playing spades, just like I would have done.