Inmates lived in the huge cell house at the top of the hill. The brick and steel building contained four cell blocks: A, B, C, and D. Each cell block was three tiers high, with individual cells. The two inside cell blocks, B and C, contained a total of 336 cells. Only cell blocks B and C had been initially remodeled with tool-proof steel bars and modern locking devices, allowing designated cell doors to roll open individually or as a group. Plastered cement walls separated the cells.

A thirty-inch-wide utility corridor ran the length and height of each cell block. This middle tunnel was cluttered with sewer and water pipes and electrical wires. Barred and wire-meshed gun galleries were located at both ends of the cell blocks. Armed officers had a view of every cell from the multilevel gun galleries.

Inmates named the cell house...