Just moments after her sentencing hearing had ended, Kelsie found herself shuffling alongside the court officer through the courthouse on her way toward the transport vehicle waiting to take her to prison.
Kelsie made the trip in stunned silence, the judge's words playing on repeat in her mind: "This court sentences you to life imprisonment, with no eligibility for parole."
After some two hours' drive, the squad car arrived at the womens' penitentiary. A young blonde Correctional officer met the car and helped Kelsie step out. "Hi, my name is Miss Aurora, and I'm the intake supervisor. I can appreciate that you're probably having the worst day of your life, so I'm going to be as pleasant as I can be. I ask that you remain compliant and respectful - if you do, we'll do just fine. I'm just here to do a job, just like you're just here to do your time. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Kelsie replied.
For the next hour, the officer guided Kelsie through the in-processing procedure. The prison's newest inmate was strip-searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and issued one of the prison's signature green striped jumpsuits to wear.
When the guard had finished, she ushered Kelsie into a small holding cell. "You can hang out here," the said, closing the cell door and locking Kelsie inside. "It will take a few hours to get all the paperwork done so we can give you a cell assignment. In the meantime, get some rest. Do you have any questions for me?"
"Um, yes, ma'am," Kelsie replied meekly. "I didn't get any shoes or socks with my uniform, and this floor is freezing. Can you please tell me when I will get my shoes?"
The officer smiled empathetically. "Sorry, no shoes in supermax," she replied. "You could use them as weapons or hide contraband."
"Oh, okay...thanks," Kelsie sighed in disappointment. "Also, in county jail, they only chained me up for like court and stuff. How long until you can take the cuffs off?"
"You'll wear full transport restraints any time you are outside your cell block," Aurora explained. "So you get the full treatment for meals, visitation, lawyer visits, chapel service, and exercise yard. Within the cell block, it is up to the officer's judgment. They'll probably keep you in full restraints for the first few months until they begin to trust you. After that, you'll probably just have your ankles chained when on your cell block - that's the minimum level of restraint that all violent offenders must be kept in 24/7."
Kelsie began to sob softly. "Thank you, ma'am," she sniffled. Whispering to herself, the inmate softly said "So, cuffs and chained bare feet...forever."
"Aw, it's not so bad," the officer said cheerfully. "For what it's worth, you look adorable all done up like that. I'm sure you'll be VERY popular with the guards on those cold, lonely nights."
Kelsie forced a smile as the officer departed, leaving her to carefully pace the small holding cell, acclimating to her new life.

















