Arbeit macht frei: - Fredrick Töben

that my urine test was negative. Tested for benzodiazepines, opiates,
methadone, amphetamines, cannabinoids, triclic antidepressant, ethanol
and burprenorphine, I would have been very surprised if any kind of drug
was found within my body.
At 11.15 a.m. the local ambulance crew and others walk through the Cell
Block. Anyone with a complaint of a serious nature could use this
opportunity to get a message out, but here at CTC there is nothing to
complain about.
In one conversation about why I was here, I jokingly said that I can smell
the gas chambers at the back of the farm, ‘I can’t see them, but I can smell
them’. That’s what Holocaust survivor Fred Steiner claimed in 1994 when I
asked him to describe the gas chamber at Auschwitz to me.
I receive my pay sheet and note that I get $6.23/day – is that slave labour?
After lunch it is time for pottery making where I now have a new mug on
the go. Charles Southwood, the former ABC-Radio Classic FM presenter
and now a chaplain, is the pottery instructor here.
Wednesday, 16 September: Painted until 11 a.m. but then the overcast sky
slowly gave way to light rain, so it was off to pottery where Joe assists with
instructions. I learn how often to apply the paint before firing overnight.
Lunch with Craig and then to Cell 119 on the first floor of the Cell Block to
clean out toilet and all that needs cleaning.
Thursday, 17 September: It rained overnight and so no post painting. Again
off to the Library. A fellow who joins me at the table begins to complain
about not being liked in prison, after he did everything that would please
anyone. He offered to serve and give his body as well! Sad, sad, sad.
Friday, 18 September: Good painting because the posts were slightly moist
– only six to go. At lunchtime I was transferred from Top 119 to Bottom 15
where I get back into routine with Jim and our chatter about justice and
injustice that he has to bear. I do not have a cellmate so I can write easily
and do not have to be considerate. Likewise when I watch TV.
My pottery items have come up well with the nut bowl tempting me to fill it
with goodies. Craig gave me his salted nuts as I transferred back downstairs.
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