Day 7542

Barry's doing screening most of this week and as I was taking 4J his food Barry told me to let him know a letter had arrived. He looked pleased. I hope someone takes his case on one day. I'm sure he's not meant to be here.

Day 7541

I dropped Louise into work today and managed to find out a bit more about the man she's seeing. Works in 'restricted property management' apparently, but I don't know what that is.

Day 7540

Letter screening again today to cover for Friday last week. Pretty monotonous again, nothing to report. A couple of the night guards were looking particularly harassed this morning.

Day 7539

Derek said 'good morning' to me today. Very specifically to me. Just 'good morning'. This is not helping my blood pressure.

Day 7538

The doctor says I need to get my blood pressure down. I pointed out I was in quite a high-pressure job, but he said it was as pressurised as I made it. Hope everything's been OK while I've been gone.

Day 7537

Big Derek looks particularly smug today. That's a worry. I worry too much. Which reminds me, must not forgot doctor's appointment tomorrow.

Day 7536

Harry reported his prison pass was missing. I despair, I really do.

Day 7535

It worries me how some prisoners group together. I've seen plans hatched and lesser inmates 'disappear' through such gatherings.

Day 7534

Stupid weather. It's been tipping it down all day. Didn't stop some of the inmates going for an exercise period. Mad fools.

Day 7533

There's a steady stream of letters coming in now. I don't have to do my shift at screening until next week. The atmosphere is definitely better here as inmates get contact with loved ones. Even 4J has got a smile on his face.

Day 7532

Louise has come down with that cold that's doing the rounds and stayed in today. What is 4J doing in that corner?

Day 7531

'Hi mom. PRISON life is hard here. I need a BREAK. I feel like I have TUNNEL vision and can only ever see 500 YARDS in front of me. We are let OUTSIDE now for exercise. We can walk north, south, EAST and west, but always within the FENCE. See you soon. Wish it was TOMORROW. Your son.' 3W, now in solitary confinement, makes me laugh.

Day 7530

The first of the outgoing letters are starting to come through. Mainly descriptions about their days, a few love letters, a request for a recipe and a letter to Trisha. Nothing from 4J.

Day 7529

The inmates were given supplies to write letters today. We'll be checking all incoming and outgoing mail for coded messages about escape plans and the like. Although, in fairness, 4J could be sent a file and he'd end up with a manicure.

Day 7528

We spent most of today organising how we're going to screen incoming and outgoing letters. We'll probably take it in turns. And on the home front, Louise finally got transferred out of accounts. It's a relief, she was never really happy there.

Day 7527

I told 4J about the letter-writing and he didn't look too happy. In view of the circumstances to his conviction I can understand why.

Day 7526

Big Derek came to see us today in his role as Prisoner Liaison and asked for letter-writing privileges for all inmates. It means we're going to have set up a screening facility but seems a reasonable request.

Day 7525

The exercise periods seem to be going OK, no one is emptying soil out of their trouser leg. I asked Louise about this guy she had met at work - she's being very cagey about him.

Day 7524

Well our whole routine has changed now that the inmates are altogether for an exercise period. It makes me a bit nervous when they group together.

Day 7523

All is resolved. 3 is back to normal and the inmates are now getting exercise periods. A good end to a crazy week. More good news, my daughter said she's met a nice guy at work. Sounds good, hope I can meet him soon.

Day 7522

Barry's out, much to our relief. We should have everything back under control soon. Turns out 4J was walking the corridors having got hold of Harry's pass. We've kept him in today to let everything calm down. I've just noticed - Barry and Harry. That's funny.

Day 7521

Well that was a long night. We've started negotiations with the prisoners. They just want some exercise time too and I can see where they're coming from. Barry's OK. Bet he wishes he was down that hole now. Oh, and the strangest thing, I could have sworn I saw the back of 4J's head disappearing down a corridor - funny huh?!