PrisonAs I walk through the narrow corridor with my only earthly belongings reduced to a thin white sheet, a pillow and a hard, rough quilt covered in bloodstains that can never be wash. I feel like I'm in a strange desert land, surrounded by bloodthirsty wolves in cages waiting to see the slightest twitch to unleash the attack on my fragile innocent body. As soon as I entered I felt as if I was trapped in the hot humidity of death breathing this air, which was as strong as ammonia, almost overwhelming me as if I had been punched by Tyson. My lungs gasped for fresh air but I found none. When I reach the end of the corridor I slow down to enter this cell. This 5 x 10 x 10 cell, where two men stand shoulder to shoulder for weeks, months, even years, creates mental illness; a psychological condition that makes the most peaceful person irritable, angry, furious and absolutely desperate. His perspective narrows until he sees only the flaws of his cellmates, while his good qualities are no longer recognized. Being locked up like this dehumanizes, degrades, and destroys whatever good qualities a man has left. In addition to being, a "first timer" also experiences apprehension, fear of the unknown, being watched by peers, being tested by both peers and administration, loneliness and rejection, adapting to a hostile and unnatural environment. The type of crime a person commits has different effects on how he serves his time. Child abuse and rape top the list of crimes that most inmates will not tolerate. Any crime against children is met with violence. Lack of respect, rejection and humiliation from other prisoners. Once the nature of this type of crime hits the prison environment, these offenders are thrown from cell to cell: no one wants to go into a cell with them. Rapists are next on the rejection list. they tend to seek out their own peer group and, in most cases, form a cell together. "Normal" inmates tend to avoid rapists. They see a rapist as someone who could easily rape their daughters, mothers or girlfriends. Friendships with other inmates are rare. Acquaintances are more frequent and more secure. A friend is not always a friend in prison. Loyalty and trust can be a high price to pay for loneliness.