America’s favorite dad became America’s favorite inmate

On September 25, 2018, the entire world watched to see what would become the fate of Bill Cosby. Many news stations covered the highly publicized sexually assault case and Cosby’s sentencing date. Bill Cosby was sentenced to three-to-ten years imprisonment. He was transferred to Phoenix Station Correctional Institution in Montgomery County.

Not wanting to see an iconic figure be sent to prison, I was anxious about the possibility of meeting him. I already knew that the administration would not put Bill Cosby in the General Population. First and foremost, there are procedures that all new commits must go through. They must be quarantined first, where they wait to be shipped like cattle to Camp Hill Correctional Institution (the Department of Corrections “DOC” central processing hub for new commits). There, they await classification for placement within another “DOC” institution, or reclassification back to Phoenix.

Philadelphia rapper Meek Mills was shipped out of Phoenix the same night he arrived on the “Bluebird Express” to Camp Hill. In Bill Cosby’s case, he was expedited through the classification process and given a “Penthouse” cell in the infirmary at Phoenix. Once Bill Cosby arrived, I couldn’t wait to interview him. There were many obstacles against me, but I didn’t even consider them. My biggest battle was already won. I had the attitude to be successful against all odds.

As stated above, Bill Cosby was not housed in General Population at first. He was even off limits except to very few correctional staff. Only upper-level management was allowed to get near him when he arrived. To even get on the side of the infirmary where he was required special access, which only nurses or upper-level correctional superiors had access to.

Bill Cosby was assigned a personal lieutenant for his needs. This was a first in my fifteen years of being in prison. I have never before heard of or seen an inmate having an assigned staff member assigned to them nevertheless a ranked correctional staff member. I used my hospice worker pass to get into the infirmary part of the hospital a few times, hoping to see any sight of Bill Cosby. I saw for myself that the infirmary had a special entrance and exit protected by bulletproof thick protection sliding doors.

Damn! I thought to myself. Now I see where the four hundred million dollars went into building this state-of-the-art prison. Now the corrupt officials can brag that the newest Pennsylvania state prison is worth its money and Bill Cosby tested.

Bill Cosby remained in the secure infirmary area for about four months. Being a true Philadelphia man, Mr. Cosby wanted out of the infirmary-protected area and wanted to join the prison population. Word circulated around that Mr. Cosby would be coming into general population. Phoenix State Institution had two prisons, one on the East side of the compound and one on the West side of the compound. It’s possible to be on one side of the prison and never see someone housed on the other side. The East side of the prison is more laid back and only have a few population blocks.

Mr. Cosby was assigned to S – Block a program and veteran block on the East side. As fate would have it, I was housed on T- Block directly across from where Mr. Cosby’s housed. Finally, being positive and maintaining good conduct had started to pay off. Mr. Cosby was assigned three inmate personal assistants / workers. They would take turns helping him move around day-to-day in his new environment. Their job details included pushing him in his wheelchair to and from the chow halls, escorting him to visits, medical, and commissary. Often his assistants acted as gatekeepers when someone tried to get close to Mr. Cosby.

Even so, I wasn’t allowing any other prisoner or staff to interfere with me getting my interview done with Mr. Cosby. All I needed was for me to finally meet Mr. Cosby and get him to agree to do the interview with me. I have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

I started with the edge that I already had. I knew all three of his assistants because they were all on the Hospice volunteer team with me. I approached the assistant with whom I had the better relationship with first. Speaking with this assistant, I used my negotiation skills to the tee. I told Cosby’s assistant that I needed him to tell Mr. Cosby that a young, ambitious, entrepreneur would love nothing more than to get an interview with him. I told Cosby’s assistant that I would even sweeten the pot for him.

The assistant agreed to help me at no charge. After some time wen by, I finally saw Mr. Cosby for myself. I introduced myself to him and told him it was a pleasure to finally meet him. The first thing I noticed was that Mr. Cosby was well-mannered with an upbeat spirit. In travels to and from the chow hall, I started seeing Mr. Cosby often. I conversed with him each time the opportunity presented itself. Mr. Cosby was always willing to share his wisdom whenever I stopped him or walked beside him. I fondly remember a question that I asked him on the walkway.

I asked Mr. Cosby, “Do you have any advice for someone who is trying to write movies and become a guide member?”

“What Guide?” Mr. Cosby responded, confused. “The Writer’s Guide Association, W.G.A.?” I said.

“Writer’s Guild, not Writer’s Guide. Now say it right, Writer’s Guild. Say it, I’m waiting.” Mr. Cosby sternly responded as if he was my grandfather.

The first thought that came to my mind was, “Who the fuck does Bill think he’s talking to?” I’m from North Philadelphia too. I almost let Bill know, in no uncertain terms, that it’d be best for him to lower his voice when speaking to me.

I understood that this was a test a lesson in a lesson. Sometimes before you can lead you must be willing to follow. So with wisdom I came to my senses. I really needed this interview, so I obliged Bill and repeated, “Writer’s Guild.”

“Now say it again,” Mr. Cosby instructed.

I repeated the phrase once more. “Writer’s Guild.” Then Mr. Cosby told me proudly, as he nodded his head in agreement before responding, “Get into the habit of saying the whole word, not abbreviations.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Cosby,” I responded.

From this conversion, a mentor/mentee relationship was formed that I will be forever grateful for. I tried going through the proper channels to get approval to go on Mr. Cosby’s housing unit to conduct an interview with him. Needless to say, I was denied by the higher-ups. No one wanted to be responsible for the interview ending up on The Sade Room, or TMZ. So, I used my social skills to convince the guard who was responsible for the platform in between Mr. Cosby and my block to allow me to meet with Mr. Cosby in his block unit yard when no one was out.

Mr. Cosby agreed to do the interview, but in a quiet place because his hearing is sensitive. I set a date for me to conduct the interview with Mr. Cosby in his block’s unit yard. The date came, and the weather was gorgeous. I was waiting patiently for Mr. Cosby to be wheeled out in his wheelchair. I was fully prepared with my interview questions along with a pen and notebook to take notes. The interview was scheduled for May 17, 2019 at 1:00pm, right after afternoon yard movement was complete.

At around 1:20pm, I saw Mr. Cosby being wheeled out of his unit, seemingly in a rush. His assistant saw me standing at my unit yard gate and whispered something to Mr. Cosby. Mr. Cosby then in turn, tells me to catch a ride with him.

“We’re going to the library to do the interview,” Mr. Cosby states. I follow along as if I’m assigned as being one of Mr. Cosby’s assistants.

Once we walk into the library, the librarian rushes over to greet Mr. Cosby, telling him he’s glad Mr. Cosby could make it over (I later found out that the librarian called S- block unit to request for Mr. Cosby to come to the library so they could talk).

In Cosby fashion, he politely explained to the librarian that he needed some time with his good writer friend “E. Fresh” (me) to conduct an interview first, and then he would be in there to talk with him. The librarian, being a good steward, led us to an empty table where Mr. Cosby was comfortable. My hands started sweating, and my heart started beating fast. I took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling, before telling myself, “Calm down, this is what you were made for. Your unique and one of a kind. Your able to use your setbacks as future setups!”

I successful conducted my interview with Mr. Cosby. That meeting let to him wanting to meet with me more often. What started out as an interview turned out to be much more. I am forever grateful and appreciative for the patience that Mr. Cosby has shown me. The wisdom he shared with me was invaluable and a great investment in my success.

Excerpts taking from “From Inmate To Boss A Must Have Resource Book, by: E. Fresh”

& “Cosby Down But Not Out, by: E. Fresh”

Both books are Available from Amazon.com

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