Occasionally the inmate will find
himself sitting with three "lifers" at the
supper table. Although his own crime and
circumstances remind him that he also
has done something wrong, he is scared,
amazed and saddened to be in such
company.
After the meal is over, he is not scared or
amazed anymore. Instead he considers
himself lucky for not becoming a lifer, for
being able to stop before taking the
ultimate plunge into madness.
Under the surface calm, under the loud
laugh, under the exaggerated boast, there
is a troubled man. The louder the laugh,
the deeper the anxiety within. Some
inmates are constantly fighting and in and
out of solitary confinement.
At Rockview, '"I am going to kill that
motherfucker" is as common an
expression as "hi." The new man will
spend sleepless nights when he is
threatened and may plan some
preventative action of .his own.
The next day, he realizes there was no
need for fear, because by this time the
man who threatened to kill him the night
before will ask him for a cigarette—or
threaten someone else. Still, if someone
would argue with, or challenge, the
antagonist, someone mightbe killed. Some
prisoners are so far gone that to kill or be
killed passes through their minds very
casually
The day begins at 6:40 when the morning
bell gives 20 minutes to get ready for
breakfast. After breakfast the workbell
rings, and all go to their make-believe jobs
for a few cents a day. At 11:30 the men
return to their cells and get ready for the
noon meal.
After lunch one of many counts is held
and all prisoners except some outside
workers are locked in their cells.
Occasionally the count is fouled up or
someone escapes. Then the counts take
longer, giving the men extra minutes to
relax in their cells.
At 3:30 the workday ends for most of the
inmates, the showers are opened and
everyone prepares for supper at 5 p.m.
Then another count is held. Now no one is
hoping-for a long count, since this period is
free time. The inmates may go to the large
exercise yard, watch TV in the blocks
(living quarters), play games or, as some
choose, stay in their cells—locked up for
the night.
All of the inmates are reminded of the
reality of their existence each night at 9
when the heavy steel-barred door slams
shut on their cells. For a few minutes after
lock-up there is some shouting back and
forth as the men try to finish interrupted
conversations. Soon it is a silent night, and
each man is alone with his own thoughts.
Today some good things are happening
at Rockview. A lucky and reasonably
bright inmate may become a college
student through the New-View Program
associated with Penn State.
The program's first pha.te is
concentrated at Rockview itself; where
Penn State professors and instructors give
lectures in the new education building.
After a while, the inmate-student may
graduate from the inside part of the
program, be transferred to Halfway-
House a mile from the compound and
attend classes on campus.
The convict-students have a certain
advantage over the regular Penn State
student, since• all classes are small with
plenty of opportunity to ask and discuss
questions.
Rockview's forestry program also is
associated with Penn State. The men in
this group are working toward a
certificate in forestry. They too are
lucky—they live in a trailer camp at the
base of Mt. Nittany.
Many inmates have obtained their
barber's license in Rockview's modem
barbershop, and many more are working
for it now.
All are given a chance to improve
themselves through elementary and high
school classes. Twice a year tests are
given through which the men may obtain
their General Education Diploma (high
school) offered by the state.
'Some other vocational courses also are
given. Inmates may learn upholstery,
bricklaying, auto repair and other skills.
For most inmates, however, one day's
drudgery follows another. They go to their
non-jobs, such as serving food on the chow
line, picking up cigarette butts around the
yard or learning Rockview's specialized
plumbing, for which they will have no
outside use.
The average inmate earns 50 to 75 cents
a day, which for a heavy smoker, is not
enough for cigarettes. Most men learn to
roll their own. Inmates are unable to save
even a small sum of money.
Some groups at Rockview have helped
make life more livable for the Inmates.
The New-Breeds Jaycees of . the Rock
caused a minor revolution during their
one year of existence. Their beginning was
hard, but through the perseverance of a
few .dedicated men and the help of the
State College and Bellefonte Jaycees, they
have succeeded. Today, they help fellow
inmates and -- others beyond the
institution's fence.
The Jaycees have prevailed where other
orgariizations and often official policy
have failed. The organization involves a
large number of men, who until now did
not want to become involved and who did
not "give a damn."
The Jaycees earned about $ll,OOO during
their first year from projects such as ice
cream sales, Sunday newspaper sales and
Saturday evening movies.
How do the Rockview Jaycees spend
their money? About $250 went toward the
establishment of a law library. They have
presented several concerts at Rockview
and held a "Watermelon Day," during
which a truckload of melons was placed in
the middle of the yard. Christmas gifts
were given to the children at the Clinton
County Children's Home, accompained by
a check toward their swimming pool.
They have improved the appearance of
the visiting room by adding comfortable
lounges, playpens and highchairs for
children who come to visit their fathers.
Despite the activities available to the
inmates which seem to link them to the
outside world, Rockview is designed to
keep them apart from society.
The building seen on the cover is the
main housing unit, the so-called East and
West Wings, a fortress of concrete and
steel. There is a building within this one so
no cell touches the outside walls. There are
two other more huMane housing units,
"B" and "C" blocks, where the men have
a window to the outside.
P.S. Friday, September 14. 1973-
Only the fence and a
man's conscience
keep him inside
plus the fact that he
may receive 10 extra
years for escape.
Two inmates work on
top of DW Death
Wing which until
recently housed the
state's electric chair.
Rockview could house 1,000 inmates
two men to a cell. Lately, the population
has been around 500 to 600. Nearly 400
employees are needed to hold and
supervise this number of men.
Since Rockview operates around the
clock, three guard shifts are needed.
Lately supportive-type jobs such as
psychologist and counselors, have been on
the increase, reflecting changing trends in
corrections.
Rockview's nerve center is located in the
"DW" Death Wing, where the now
dismantled electric chair was located.
Some old-time guards say today the
inmates have everything. It is true that the
prison today is more comfortable than it
was 10 years ago but that is far from
everything. The recently introduced
reforms are a positive first step but more
are needed.
The main objective must be to change
the man and to prepare him adequately
mentally and financially —for a new start.
But today most men leave the prison bitter
and angry with $lO in their pocket and a
"free" suit on their back. In this condition
they are forced to face a hostile society.