[exDBinmate]

Your observations are correct. The DB was no place to be and you knew that you were at the end of the line when you got there. The photos don't do the castle justice. It was huge, ominous, physically imposing on the outside and even more so on the inside.

Once inside you were in the rotunda with a small building square in the middle known as master control. The was no painting at the top of the rotunda like the Sistine chapel. Off of the rotunda were the "wings" which were the cell blocks. The cell blocks were stacked 6 tiers high and fenced off at the front,back and sides from 4 tier up. There were 2 floors underground the castle as well. That is where the "hole" among other things was located. The lowest tier was known as 1 tier, then above it 2 tier. You could not get from 1 and 2 tier into the main wing off the rotunda. The main or first floor in the wing was actually 3 tier. There was a guard cage inside the wing upon entering that the guards were locked inside of and they controlled all the cells from this cage. The next tier up was then 4,5,6,7, and finally 8 tier. The wing was made in a rectangle and there were identical cells on each side except one side on 3 tier had showers instead of cells for half of the length of the cell block. Stairs in the front on both sides led up to the higher tiers.

We lived in single man cells. Once you were awarded custody you were allowed to live with other people. 6 wing was known as "minimum inside-only" which meant that they lived in 2 man cells inside the walls but couldn't work outside the walls. Minimum buildings and LPU (outside the walls) lived in rooms or squad bays.

If you were to progress thru the custody ranks from highest to lowest, you would first be maximum custody, locked in your cell 23 hours day. Then medium custody, eligible to work and move about the wing but locked down at night and during all counts. Then MIO, lived in unlocked cells inside the castle. Then Minimum custody, live inside the walls but outside the castle and can work outside the walls, then trustee unit which is outside the walls.

Not everyone progressed through every single custody grade. When my sentence was reduced, I went from medium custody to minimum custody and then home. Some guys with only 5 year sentence would be awarded minimum custody as soon as they arrived. It depended on each inmate, crime, sentence, etc.

From 7 wing, I could see a small airfield and the banks of the river. There were no windows in the cells but windows in the wing you could see outside of from your cell. During the flood of 93-94? I was in minimum custody and worked on outside work crew filling sandbags! That was a serious flood. We filled millions of sandbags trying to stop the river.

In regard to Jeffrey McDonald, I think that for whatever reason, he was tried by a federal court and not by court-martial. That is why he has always been a federal prisoner. I think that covered your questions, sorry if I missed any

[Former Military Chick]

Frankly I think unless you have had involvement with the prison system or an inmate it is difficult to wrap your arms around, the repetitive, isolation that one must feel as an inmate.

Most would say if you broke the law, than you should pay the piper. From there comes the varied legislature from all over the country of what crimes deserve what sentences. Somehow I get the feeling the military justice system is a bit different.

I cannot even fathom not being able to take a soaking bath. To cultivate my garden, to make my salsa. Not to have quiet. Actually, that would unnerve me to no end. The noise, lack of privacy. Were you able to keep your light on in individual cells? The daily routine, if lucky enough to have a job, were you required to do work? Beyond fitness, what other ways were you able to pass the time? While I am not a fan of fast food, not having the ability to have such a luxury would drive me nutty, or a beer.

There are so many consequences to our actions. As you said many of the folks who end up there are young and their lives have ended. I wonder if there is way for you to mentor someone who is about to leave the USDB?

My former attorney was a JAG officer at USDB, I recall him sharing some of his tales, the one thing he said, and I found it striking that despite the fact you are reduced in rank, the officers and enlisted still treated each other with said protocol. I found that a bit far fetched but perhaps you can shed some light on that?

As you talk about the living conditions and where folks faired with their custody it is hard to think that is still in place in the new facility as it is much different from the old building(s).

The old one had the separate buildings that appeared to employ the prisoners. You can purchase items made by the inmates such as the boxes for flags, to be given to a family after the funeral.

The other thing, if I recollect, did the prisoner's work with pigs, sheep or goats? They are all around within the Post and I thought maybe that has something to do with the prison.

I am sure I will think of other things to ask but I will close for tonight. Again thank you.