Section 3: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

In Section 3, Chapter 5, Gantos found himself getting used to prison life, although he could never get used to the constant up and downs. As a result of the pressure, everyone wanted drugs of some sort to keep them occupied, and they were available through a variety of means. He explains several episodes of overdose and other drug related medical issues he saw in prison, and admits that he wanted to use drugs, but the fear of lengthening his prison sentence was greater than his desire to escape through drugs.

Gantos mentions the hospital unit housed other prisoners in addition to staff, such as sex offenders and witness protection participants on their way somewhere else. One day, they housed an Elvis impersonator, and Gantos was impressed at his abilities, although he missed the concert the young...