You’d think I’d get used to the smell in this place. But every time someone new gets put into the next cell, the smell changes. It’s the small things I notice now. Seven years in here has made me defensive of my own space, so I get angry when things change. I never used to be like this, especially in the beginning.
Like everyone else, I came to Alcatraz by boat across the San Francisco bay. The rain blocked my view of the island for most of the trip. It was cold and damp, and the guards were starin’ at us to make sure we wasn’t gonna start a riot, or try to escape from the shackles. Then suddenly a light shone right into my eyes, makin’ me squint for a few seconds. After it went away I noticed a big brick building, and knew we were gettin' close. Dread filled my whole body. I looked across to the other prisoners and you could tell they felt the same way.
It was hard to walk with the heavy chains round our ankles, but by the time we reached the guardhouse at the top of the hill we didn’t notice the bruises. The guards took us into the cellhouse and ordered us to take all our clothes off. Some of them tried to resist, but the guards didn’t take no for an answer. They searched every part of us to make sure we wasn’t hidin’ anything. After that they ordered us into the shower. The water was cold but the spray burned our skin. We were like cattle bein’ sprayed on the farm for fleas. Then they gave us new prison uniforms to wear, and we were all given a number. Because they reckoned me not too high risk, I was put into “B” block.
Once I was inside the cell, the guard slammed the door shut. Even though I did time at other jails, the sound of this door gave me the chills. I remember feelin’ cold at first, but after a while you get used to it. Some of the inmates do tricks to pass the time, but I spied on the guy across from me in the next block. After a while he got angry, but I’d just pretend to be keepin’ to myself the whole time. It’s funny, the guards never caught on to my spying, so they kept changin’ the prisoner in that cell. I’ve lost count how many prisoners have stayed in there.
Our free time in the recreation yard is alright, and it’s nice to have the sun shinin’ in your eyes after being cooped up in your cell for hours. But you still gotta keep your eye out for trouble. Everyone knows whose tryin’ to plan an escape, and who wants to fight the system. But the rest of us just try to do our time until our day of freedom.
After a year they gave me work to do in the shoe shop. I got pretty good at it, even with the other prisoners hidin’ my tools on purpose. After I while I got more and more angry, so one time I used my hammer to teach ‘em a lesson. The guard didn’t like me breakin’ all the bones in their hands, so they sent me to “D” block for a while so I’d learn my lesson. After time in that hellhole I swore I’d be on good behaviour so I wouldn’t have to go through that nightmare again. It makes you crazy in there, and you start wonderin’ if you’re even alive.
The prisoner next door seems awfully quiet. He must be new, he’ll soon learn how things are in here. Time in Alcatraz hardens you, and they strip any ounce of pride left in ya. You can’t trust anyone in here. Not even the quiet ones, they’re the worst.
Here comes the guard, it’s time for dinner now. The food is pretty good here, better than any other prison I’ve been at, and it’s gotten better over the years. That’s the one thing we look forward to is the food.
Shit, I gotta hide those spoons under the mattress before they get here. Won’t be much longer…
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