From Dragonfly: Carswell Tan

It is not allowed at our facility to "sun bathe." The sun is not always our friend - there are people dying here due to skin cancer taking hold. So, no tanning allowed.

It's sunny and hot, and everyone spends their free time outside at outdoor rec or just on the compound. We sit on benches, play kickball/softball, walk the track, listen to music, hacky sack, shoot hoops, run, read, do homework, make bracelets, draw, etc. People are everywhere - relaxing and having fun.

So, what happens? It's the Carswell Tan. We ALL have farmer's tans! Our shoulder's are light, our arms are dark. Our legs are dark, our feet are white. Our thighs are white. We burn on half our body, but not the other half. Our scalps burn (mine did!). Our necks get color, our backs get none.

In the unit at night, when most people are wearing their shower shoes around the unit, it's funny to see everyone's "sock" line. There are no sandals, so it's where your socks cover, that remains white - kind of like a "golfer's" tan. Week after week, we watch people get darker and darker by the sun, even though there is no "tanning" allowed.

They do sell sun screen in commissary. However, you are more likely to find someone wearing "hot six oil" on their exposed parts, than the sunscreen. Of course, this is the more Caucasian people here. The darker skin folks, for the most part, still have the farmer's tan, but they are not burning as bad.

I have to admit. I look better when I have a little color on my face and arms. However, I do not like the feeling of getting burned and I certainly do not put oil on my skin. I suppose there's a "control" thing for inmates, wanting to be able to look the way they want to. At least it's nice, warm, and sunny - and we are all gaining some necessary vitamin D for our health!