Prison Chicks

Dorm C

A scary looking woman approaches me, "Are you Camila Faith?"

"Yes..." My voice shaking.

"Good. Just shown the other newbie around, what do ya say I show you the ropes too?"

"The what?"

"The ropes, basically show you round."

"Oh uh yes please."

"I'm Dominick Holsten by the way."

She shows me around the prison, starting with the cafeteria, It reminds me of the summer camp I went to as a child, the tables all neatly aligned with the serving station at the front, just... without the pretty colours. Next she directs me to the rec room, standing for recreation. I guess that's where the other women play games or something, at least there is some colour to that room, the walls are pink.

"And this is the bathroom, well, we have 4, depending on your dorm it will depend which bathroom you use, typically A and B share a bathroom, C and D, E and F, G and H." Dorms? Also sounds like summer camp. I step into the bathroom, the showers are semi private, some have curtains, some have none, nor barriers, I guess you take what you can get. There is a large bench opposite the shower cubicles. The toilets are behind a wall, 4 stalls, and 6 sinks opposite, yet only 5 mirrors, how odd.

"These are the dorms, as you can see each dorm has 6 bunk beds in, the space is quite open, but each person gets a padlocked mini locker for their private belongings, as well as open space shelves and hooks for the less private stuff." Sure enough the dorms were very open spaced, there was a center table with inmates in grey uniform surrounding it. The uniform was nothing like those brightly coloured orange ones I'd seen on TV, the uniforms here were extremely bland, just a sea of sad greys walking the dorms.

She showed me round the library, the TV room and to where both medical and commissary are located. "Now you need to go to the warden's office to be assigned a bunk and dorm, and to take the quiz for your job assignment. Remember where it is?"

"Uh yes i think so." I make my way down the bland corridor swarmed with grey uniforms headed to dinner, I guess grey means I'm less noticeable as the newbie. As I approach the door titled "WARDEN" I see an inmate looking fearful.

"Are you ok?" I ask gently, also kind of afraid.

"I-I'm new, I'm scared. Do you know anyone in dorm C?"

"Hey look, I'm new too. I need to be assigned, wait here and we can find our dorms together." I smile sympathetically, almost forgetting I'm in a prison, and almost forgetting why. She looks up at me and nods. I knock on the door.

"Come in." A deep voice bellowed. In sheer fear I open the door wearily. "Newbie? Are you Camila Faith?"

"Yes sir." I stand almost tall and professional to avoid my upcoming breakdown.

"Sit." He points to a chair in front of his desk and looks at his computer. "So, I'm Warden Tony. Let's get you assigned shall we?" I nod keeping quiet. "Ok so dorm C has an empty bed available, bunk 7."

"Th-thankyou sir."

"That's not all. I need you to answer some questions first."

"Ok."

"So, how well can you cook?"

"Quite well. I took an apprenticeship as a chef at 17, never pursued it afterwards though."

"Good. Do you prefer team work or individual work?"

"I prefer individual work, but I am equipt socially to work in teams."

"Excellent. What do you do if the power trips?"

"Honestly, i'm not sure."

"Ok. If someone drops a tray of food what do you do?"

"Help them clean it up. I guess."

"Alright. What's the difference between soil and mud?"

"Soil is what plants grow in, mud is just messy and full of weeds."

"Ok. Finally, how would you describe yourself?"

"Optimistic, rise to challenges."

"Two jobs are available to you, that is kitchen assistant or janitorial duties. Which takes your heart most?"

"Kitchen assistant."

"Sorted. You'll start in 3 days, gives me time to process your workstation and work duties."

"Thankyou Warden Tony."

"You may leave now." He points his finger towards the door without even looking me in the eye. I make my way out, the new girl sits waiting for me.

"Good news, I'm also in dorm C." I smile at her.

"That's great news. I'm Jessie by the way."

"Camila."

"What job did you get assigned?"

"Kitchen assistant. You?"

"Electrical. Truthfully I know nothing about electrics, all I know is how to sort out tripped electricity and how to put together a plug." Jessie begins to laugh and cry simultaneously, I don't know whether to join in or not.

"It's ok, I'm sure they will train you accordingly."

Jessie and I make our way to dorm C, mostly intimidated by the amount of stares we get when passing other inmates. I guess it's still easy to know we're new. We reach dorm C and as we walk in to find our bunks, 10 faces stare in our direction. I signal Jessie to bunk 8 which is right above me, she walks with speed to avoid humiliation. I strut behind her, clutching onto the bag I was given.

Jessie lays on the top bunk, silent. I sit below and rummage through the bag I was handed in the strip room. I found a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a comb, some tampons, a roll of toilet paper, a spare change of grey uniform, two spare sets of bra and pants, and a padlock. I assume the padlock is for the mini locker labelled "BUNK 7". I open up the locker and shove everything from the bag in there, then I use the padlock to secure my belongings, I set my padlock code to the most random combination of numbers. I've heard about thieves in prison.

"What do we have here? I'm Maralee."

"Camila."

"So what job you got?"

"Kitchen assistant, I start in 3 days."

"Ok. How about your wee friend?" She grabs my shirt and twists it in her hands.

"Electrical." I put on a tough front to avoid a beating.

"What are you in for then aye?"

I could use this to my advantage... But then again... I'm not tough enough to pull it off. "I was framed for the murder of my-" I feel my eyes well up with tears knowing I will never see my mum again... "my mother." I compose myself and stand tall.

"Framed eh? Well good for you, that doesn't go down too well in prison. Next time say you did murder." She lets go of my shirt and walks off followed by other women. I guess she has a crew of some sort. Prison gangs exist don't they?