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Silverwater. Let me start by saying that while your dad may have pulled a few strings to get you this position, I will by no means be lenient with you. You have a great employment record with the local police department, but of course I am aware of your leave of absence. I hope that any emotional issues will be left at home and that it will not impede your ability to function here at work.’
    Fuck. Did he need to be so blunt? I’ve been here all of five minutes and already he’s dipping into the depression wagon.
    ‘My personal life is just that, Warden. Personal. Anything that goes on outside of these walls won’t in any way affect my ability to be a reliable staff member here at Silverwater.’
    ‘Good to hear. So, let’s skip on to the next reason I called you in here. Your employment is to be within the male maximum security prison. I’m pleased you’re not wearing any makeup because, to be honest, I prefer staff not to wear it.’
    Clearly the lady out front didn’t get the memo. Reginald continues to ramble on, his annoying voice grating on my nerves. Now I know why I stayed out of the public for so long. My only consolation is that being here will be a welcome distraction from the incredible emptiness I feel at home.
    ‘… and you’re an attractive woman, Ms. Cole. It could get you into a lot of trouble in here if you’re not careful and aware of your surroundings at all times. I would suggest you make a few friends with the male guards so that you have an extra set of eyes on you throughout your shift. I’m sure we’d all feel more comfortable knowing that we don’t need to have any raised anxiety just because a female has joined our staff.’
    ‘I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m very professional and will not be entertaining an y lewd comments, gestures or insinuations from inmates. I come from a family who are used to dealing with the shit of society, sir.’
    ‘Good, well see you come to me if there are any problems, do you understand? Anything at all. I wouldn’t want your father upset if anything happens to you on my watch.’
    ‘Your fears are misplaced, Warden. My father and I both know the risks associated with our jobs.’ And yet you still can’t get over what happened to Daniel . I squish those thoughts deep down into my gut where my apprehension is already eating away at my stomach.
    ‘Well then, I’m sure we’ve nothing to fear then, do we. You can head down to the custodial watch house in F Block. I’ll ring ahead and tell Clarence that you’re on your way down. He’s your day shift supervisor. You’re to report to him directly and he’ll make sure you’re kitted up with your gear.’
    ‘Thank you.’  I get up to leave, pleased that I won’t have to talk too much to people from now until the end of my shift. If I can just get through today, I know I’ll be okay.
    I leave the w arden and follow the maps on the prison walls down towards F Block. There’s a buzzer next to the door that separates the external corridors from the inside wing. I press it and look up towards the camera that’s perched overhead, taking in my every move. Without out being asked, I hold up my identification badge, my staff number clearly visible to whoever is on the other side.
    I’m buzzed through two more doors before I step out into F Block – home to over two hundred of Silverwater’s inmates. The smell is overwhelming, with sweat, urine and excrement reaching my protesting nose. There is an overlying smell of hospital grade disinfectant, but when you’ve got so many men shitting and pissing in the same building with no doors on their cells, you’ve got to expect that the air is going to get pretty rank.
    A uniformed guard waves me over to the custodial booth located at the end of the cells. It has triple-glazed , reinforced glass. The door’s open, so I walk right in to introduce myself.
    ‘Hey, I’m Mercy.’
    ‘Nice to meet you, Mercy, I’m Clarence, the