Alcatraz_ A Definitive History of the Penitentiary Years - Michael Esslinger [61]
Inmate Theodore “Blackie” Audett serving “Jailhouse Chili” in the officers’ kitchen.
Warden Madigan is seen greeting an officer’s family member inside the Officers’ Dining Room. Inmate Theodore Audett (one of the stewards) is seen here assisting Madigan.
Alcatraz Barbershop
The dining area, or “Gas Chamber” as the inmate population referred to it, was considered the most dangerous section of the prison. Nearly the entire prison population (with the exception of D Block inmates) would assemble into one space, which could mean a congregation of more than 300 inmates at one time. For this reason, tableware was issued to inmates on a need only basis. This was a critical element in minimizing inmates’ access to potential weapons, because sharp eating utensils and even food could be used in this way. Hot coffee could be used to incapacitate an opponent with burns, and the sharp bone from a T-bone steak could easily be used like a knife. All of the cooking and cutlery tools were kept in locked cabinets and carefully guarded. Butcher knives were all stored in a wooden case with painted silhouettes behind the utensils, so that guards would quickly notice if anything was missing.
To maintain order, fourteen fixed teargas dispensers were permanently mounted on ceiling structure beams. The switches used to discharge the toxic gases could be remotely operated by a guard stationed on the exterior catwalk, who was able to observe all interior activities from a secure position. The Armory officer also had control of two of the dispensers in the entrance area. Former inmate Jim Quillen stated that the mere threat of “being gassed by a screw” seemed to have a quieting effect on most of the inmate population.
At mealtimes, inmates entered the Mess Hall and stood in a single serving line, and then seated themselves by order of their cell assignment. The men were seated side by side at bench tables, with five places set on each side. This system was replaced in 1961, and from then on small cafeteria-style tables allowed inmates to sit with whomever they wanted, with only four places at a table. After Warden Johnston abolished the rule of silence in 1937, the inmates were allowed to talk quietly among themselves at their tables during meals. In the early years of the prison, inmates had been required to wear special pocket-less coveralls to minimize the concealment of contraband, but this rule also was later lifted. The officer positioned in the West Gun Gallery had a large rifle port that allowed him to supervisor activities, and also to represent a show of force.
Quality food was considered an essential right, and the food at Alcatraz was considered the best in the entire prison system, with menus prepared under the supervision of civilian stewards. Inmates were allowed to fill their trays with as much food as they wanted, but under strict order that no waste would be permissible. They were not allowed to rise from their tables until all of the eating utensils were counted and reckoned. At the end of each meal, the utensils would be passed to the end of the table for counting by the officer on duty. Once the count was confirmed, the men would rise in unison and then walk in military formation back to their cells.
During the Christmas season, inmate Morton Sobell recalled that Bing Crosby’s White Christmas was amplified throughout the cellhouse and the Dining Hall would be decorated. After the breakfast meal on Christmas Day, the inmates would each receive a care package from the Bureau of Prisons. In a report to the Bureau Director on December 25, 1942 it was stated that every inmate had received the following package, at a total cost of only .62 cents per inmate:
2 packages of filtered cigarettes
1 Uno Chocolate Bar and 1 Baffle Bar
3 Cellophane bags of salted peanuts
1/2 Lb. bag of hard candy
1 Package of Fig Newton’s, 17 cookies to a package
On select holidays, the prison band would entertain the inmates. Quillen remembered that on every Fourth