Letters From Alcatraz - Michael Esslinger [44]
COUNT PROCEDURES
Warden Johnston drew up careful, detailed procedures for taking official counts and unlocking and locking cells in the morning, at noon, and at the end of the day.
1. The deputy warden is in command and gives the signals. He takes a position at the east end of the cellhouse, between blocks B and C.
2. The lieutenant of the watch takes a position at the west end of the cell house, between blocks B and C; there he receives reports of count from the guards.
3. The guards take their assigned positions, ready to take the count when the signal is given. On signal, the count is started on the south side of B Block and the north side of C Block.
4. As each guard completes his count he goes to the west end of the cellblock and reports to the lieutenant. The count must be accurate and the report must be made as soon as it is ready.
5. After his report of count, each guard returns quickly to his position. Upon the whistle signal guards open the cells in the same order of movement as when taking count. Example: Guard in position 1, Block B, lower east end, opens the cells controlled by Box 1C, then proceeds quickly to opening the cells controlled by Box 7.
6. After the prisoners have stepped out of their cells, the deputy warden and the lieutenant give hand signals for locking.
PROCEDURES FOR OPENING CELL DOORS
Work Area and Yard Turnouts:
1. This will be done by tiers, taking lower tier on “C” outside, working on the same side top to top. Then, coming over to “inside” of “C”, and working down to lower tier. Then proceed to “B” Block and starting on lower “inside” tier, working to the top. Then turn out other side of Block by starting on top and working down.
2. Officers operating doors will not be required to wait until line clears control box, as aisle will be covered by other officers.
3. Inmates should be let out in a steady stream, but overcrowding should be avoided. Note: East end officer must synchronize his opening with West end officer.
Main Line Dining Room Turnouts:
1. This will be done by blocks, beginning on lower tiers, either inside or outside, and working up to top tier as schedule calls for. Then proceeding to other block, beginning at the lower tier and working up to the top.
2. A weekly schedule should be prepared by cellhouse Lieutenant and Officers, verifying the turnouts as much as possible, but still beginning on the lower tiers, one block at a time.
3. Cellhouse officer will give signal when each tier is to be turned out.
4. Officers opening doors will check tiers immediately after inmates have left the tier, taking the number and locking up any inmate remaining in his cell.
Bath Turnouts:
1. Bath turnouts on Saturday mornings will be done by blocks as directed by the cellhouse Lieutenant.
Inmates were required to shave three times a week, with no exceptions. Men who refused to shave were immediately placed in solitary confinement, and they would be force-shaved with a dry razor by guard staff until they complied. No inmate was allowed to grow facial hair of any kind, including mustaches, sideburns, or beards. Each inmate was provided with a personal shaving mug, a shaving brush, and soap. The guard staff would pass out razors to a small number of inmates at a time, and then collect the blades from each person once they were finished. The inmates were allowed a three-hour window in which to shave, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Prisoners in B Block were assigned to shave on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and C Block inmates were assigned on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Period photographs showing the shower room in the cellhouse basement, and the clothing issue station located in the same area. All new inmates were processed in this area.
A present-day photograph showing the basement shower area.
General population inmates were required to shower twice a week, and the water temperatures