Inside Looking Out

Now, San Quentin is so old school that each cell must be unlocked manually. So, when lunchtime came around the guard would unlock each cell one by one while you stood outside and then we'd all go to lunch, single file, like little ducks in a row. I felt every single set of eyes in South block were watching me; first view of the fresh, new meat. In here, you walk proud, you flex your lats, and stick out your chest. And every guy that eyes you, you eye them right back. I also clenched my jaw. You let the guards know that you're not a pushover, not weak, and most importantly, for all to see and know, not a rat.