Most of the island’s history is unpleasant, from its early use as a military fortress throughout its days as a federal prison. My husband and I were on Alcatraz about 10 years ago. I can’t even imagine being locked in those cold concrete cells all day!

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This is a “rubber room” in a California prison and is typical of this type of room throughout the prison system. As you can see, the walls are padded. There is no furniture, the toilet is a drain in the floor, and a video camera constantly monitors the prisoner. This is where the difficult to manage or suicidal mentally ill inmates are placed for “their protection”. They are stripped naked and left in this room (or a room like it) for 23 out of 24 hours each day.

Can you imagine being in a room like that, with no books, no TV, no music – absolutely nothing to entertain yourself. You’re naked and being watched all the time. I don’t know about you, but even one day in a room like that would make me a little nuts. What would it be like for a week? A month? How about a year?

For more on this topic, check out the December issue of my newsletter – Guilty As Charged.

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