Prison • Season 1 • Episode 6

James had no idea where he was going… he only knew it was The North Florida Reception Center for the Department of Corrections…It was literally in the middle of nowhere, and with every step it seemed he was getting further away from home. They pulled through the gates to Lake Butler just as the sun was starting to rise…it was a cold, scary day. After pulling into a locked bay, they had them all stand in line, strip butt naked, and listen to their instructions…they would walk around naked for the next 4 hours. It was a stark wakeup for James that he no longer belonged to himself or his family. They let him know that he was property of D.O.C. Lake Butler was similar to Boot Camp for the Military. They sent you here to see what you were made of, to classify you for your permanent camp, and to break you down if you possessed any resistance to their authority. You walked when they said walk, used the bathroom, showered, ate meals, etc. when they said so… In his first week, there were 30 of them going up two flights of stairs, and the officer barked an order “I don’t want to hear one sound as you walk up these steps!” … it was difficult to do, and they had to start over a few times, but eventually they learned to walk like their feet were made of cotton… Haley was shocked at some of the stories, especially some of the ways they broke James down. To say James was scared would be an understatement… he was terrified at what would happen to him at Lake Butler. He had heard the stories, and even witnessed some stuff with his own eyes that should rehabilitate even the hardest criminal… he kept his head down and did what they asked him to do, even if it was a silly thing like “Take this broom and sweep the sun off that sidewalk” … Fortunately, James made it through without any incidents and would be heading to his permanent camp. The awkward blue clothes would be his wardrobe for the next few years…