Arbeit macht frei: - Fredrick Töben

At 7.50 a.m. it is muster or parade time: ‘Assemble for the count’, where
we all stand outside our cell while one officer with list in hand walks by and
ensures we are still present. This happens again at 11.50 a.m., 12.50 p.m.,
16.45 p.m. and 19.00 p.m. The final count at 20.30 p.m. is lock-up time
when we should be in our cells.
The wing’s door opens at 8 a.m. and we are expected to be at work by
8.30 a.m. We work until 10.30 a.m., then return to the Cell Block and
visit the canteen that is open during the week (except on Wednesday) from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mail usually arrives between noon and 1 p.m. but if delays occur then it is
available at 2.15 p.m. or around 5 p.m.
Afternoon activity begins at 1 p.m. and continues until about 3.30 p.m.
That gives individuals time to clean up and be ready for tea at 4.45 p.m.
The dairy boys start work at 4 a.m. and again at 2.30 p.m. to milk the 51
cows which supply us and other prisons with fine milk.
Gangs of workers are picking oranges while I am here. Those fellows keen
to work can fill about ten ‘joeys’ as the apron pouches that each one wears
are called.
General maintenance is such that the place is self-sustaining. For example,
if there is a sewerage problem, then the experts get to work and fix it, as was
the case one night when the shower block flooded.
Prisoners can do their washing in the Laundry at any time. There are five
small washing machines and two driers, as well as a couple of larger
industrial-type washing machines that fellows who get really dirty make use of.
The Cell Block has a telephone in a room which is also used for cutting
hair. Prisoners are permitted to make calls at any time, so long as their
telephone account is topped up with credit. I do not make use of this
facility, perhaps because I am still in a huff for G Division not returning my
telephone list on my exit from there. But anyone receiving a call from here
will be familiar with:
This call is coming from Cadell Training Centre. It is subject to
recording and monitoring. If you do not wish to receive this call, hang
up now. If you have any concerns about a prisoner’s well-being, contact
the prison immediately. Go ahead, please.
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