(Editor’s note: Former Correctional Officer William Conroy, who worked at San Quentin from 1903 to 1907, described life in prison for a new inmate. The story was published in the Santa Cruz Evening News, Dec. 18, 1911. This was the first story of a short series Conroy wrote for the newspaper. At the time it was published, Conroy worked for the Santa Cruz Fire Department. Later, he was also a deputy sheriff for the county. Inside CDCR will publish his series, as originally written.)
By William Conroy, former correctional officer
San Quentin State Prison
As I have been requested to write a story on the state’s prison at San Quentin where I was a guard for some time, I will do my utmost to give the public an honest story of what I know of it.
The first thing that confronts (a new arrival) is the turnkey’s office, where he is searched of anything he may have in his possession. This work is done by a prisoner – all the office work is done by prisoners – then he is taken into the clothing room where he is measured for a suit of clothing; then he receives a pair of shoes, underwear and a suit of stripes and a cap. He is then taken to the bathroom where he can enjoy the luxury of a fine bath – possibly after a long and tiresome trip from some remote part of the state. This done, he next visits the barber shop, which I wish to add is a place of great activity at all times.
Barber shop trade
If any of our local barbers had the patronage of the San Quentin shops, they could soon afford the luxury of an automobile.
There our new prisoner acquires a smooth face and a closely clipped scalp, which, a few moments previous may have been covered with a much-cherished head of hair; and many a man has left his whiskers in this same shop. After he can accustom himself to the fact that it is really himself, he is taken back to the measuring room where the Bertillon system is used in taking his measurements. All marks, scars, color of eyes, hair and other data are taken with his weight and age and nativity. (Editor’s note: Since fingerprinting was in its infancy at this time, law enforcement used this system of measurements to identify criminals.)
From the measuring room he then pays a visit to the photographer (also a prisoner) who always tries to make his subject look pleasant but it is sometimes a hard task for him to do so.
After he leaves an impression with the photographer, he is next assigned to the mattress factory where he can select for himself a mattress and blankets. Next he goes to the cell where he will take up his future abode.
Introduced to prison
This introduction to prison life all occurs in one routine without any let up until it is finished and it generally takes about an hour or an hour-and-a-half and always on the arrival of the prisoner, providing it is not too late in the day. In that event, the prisoner is assigned to a cell to await the coming of the next day.
It would be hard for anyone to conceive of the different effects this ordeal has on different prisoners after it is all over. I have seen men after they got through stand in the middle of the prison yard and view themselves in amazement with tears of remorse rolling down their cheeks. I have also seen men on the other hand gloat and josh over their appearance with an air of indifference and contempt.
After he has finished the routine, the prisoner may have the rest of the day to stroll about the yard and familiarize himself with his new surroundings until time for “lock up,” which varies in time according to the season of the year, when he goes to his new home to spend his first night.
The morning after
Next morning he arises at bell taps, makes up his bed, and is all ready to fall in line when the signal is given to unlock, when he steps out in line with his slop bucket in hand and stays in line until his turn arrives to empty the bucket into the sewer receptacle. (Editor’s note: There was no indoor plumbing at this time in San Quentin.)
Then he returns his bucket to his cell and is free for a few minutes until the breakfast line is formed.
The prisoners form a double line for breakfast and march into the dining room with caps off and arms folded. The tables are arranged so as to seat 22 prisoners at each one and the seating capacity of the room is about 400.
There is another dining room where the Chinese and Japanese sit. The food served them is precisely the same.
After breakfast is over, our prisoner can wander about the yard until about 9:30 when he is called to the office of the Captain of the Yard where he receives instructions as to the rules and regulations which are to govern him while in prison.
From there he is consigned to the jute mill and turned over to the superintendent, who in turn consigns him to some certain section of the mill to start his labors. His first work in the mill is generally on a draw frame, or carder, or breaker, a machine that does not require any skill to operate.
As time goes on and he becomes more accustomed to the work, he is changed from one place to another until he is finally located permanently on some job which he is more adapted for.
This is practically a convict’s first lesson in San Quentin.