(Note:  We're following up our recent blog "The Story of Howard Atkins" with Howard's advice to anyone headed to one of the worst prisons in the United States.  Managed by CoreCivic, this facility may be a glimpse into the near-future with our current authoritarian "leader' planning on mass deportation.  What comes before mass deportation? Mass incarceration.)

Dear Friend,

I heard you’re heading to Trousdale. I wish I could say otherwise, but here we are. Since you’ll need every edge you can get, let me give you the lay of the land and some advice to keep you safe.

What You’re Walking Into  

Trousdale has seven main units: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Fox, and Whiskey. Whiskey is the honor pod, an open-bay setup with four pods, while the others have three. Whiskey gets a few perks, like TV shelves. Everywhere else, it’s just a bunk, a metal sink/toilet, and two green mesh bags.

If you’re sent to units A-D, keep your guard up—robbery is common. If you land in Unit E and don’t belong to an affiliation, they’ll take your stuff as soon as you step in and likely rough you up. It’s not a place for the unprepared.

Adapting to the Grind  

Orientation is supposed to last 72 hours, but it’ll likely drag on for 4–12 weeks. It’s not really an orientation—just a crash course in surviving harsh conditions. The showers vary by unit: Whiskey has some privacy with dividers, but others, like Fox, have communal showers for four people.

Your yard is basically a rec cage with a basketball court and a patch of grass. It’s not much, but it’s a break from the walls.

What to Bring  

If you can, pack the following essentials:  

Earplugs – People play poker, dominoes, and talk loudly all night. Sleep is a rare luxury.  

Toenail Clippers – Weirdly, you can’t buy them there.  

Personal Items – They’ll usually let you keep what you bring as long as it’s legal. Leather belts and guitars (even electric ones with pedals) are okay, but keyboards aren’t allowed.

Jobs and Commissary  

Good jobs are scarce. Most new arrivals are assigned rock man, which is low-pay grunt work.

The commissary is decent. You can get books from vendors like Books-a-Million or Thriftbooks, and there’s a list for magazines. Arts and crafts are limited—no hobby shops here.

If You’re Lucky: Whiskey Unit  

Whiskey isn’t great, but it’s better than the rest. It’s open-bay, with nooks called cuts that hold eight bunks each. The showers and toilets are private, and you’ll have access to a PlayStation 4 (though it doesn’t work without internet) and a pull-up/dip bar. Occasionally, you’ll get yard time with some portable soccer goals.

Here’s the catch: Breakfast is at 4:00 a.m., followed by a pointless return to bed until 7:00 a.m. Lights out is at 11:00 p.m., but nobody really respects it.

A Few More Things  

Library Access: Once a week for about four hours. The law library has Lexis Nexis but no Westlaw.  

Laundry: Weekly, but Whiskey separates blues and whites—better than the others.  

Church: There are services, and one pod in Whiskey is a Men of Valor unit for those headed to a halfway house.  

Mats and Blankets: Thin, miserable mats and porous white blankets—brace yourself.

Final Thoughts  

Trousdale is tough, but with the right mindset, you can make it through. Keep your head down, be smart about who you trust, and protect what’s yours.

I’m pulling for you. If there’s one thing to remember, it’s this: In there, you’re on your own.

Take care,  

Howard