Women's Prison

State's prison. All prisons look alike from the outside,

but inside, each has a different character.

In this one, caged men are separated only by a thick wall

from caged women.

The system is wrong, but it goes on and on and on.

Men and women behind the same wall,

with only concrete and rifle bullets trying to keep them apart.

All right, Helene, this is it.

Commonly known as the sneezer,

the can, the clink, the jug and stir.

Come on, girls, let's go.

You won't like it at first,

but when you get used to it, you'll really hate it.

Hope there's nobody home.

- Hiya, Miss Green. - Hello, Frank.

- Hi! - Well, Brenda!

I didn't know you with the new hair you got. How about that?

She's paroled a brunette, and she comes back a blonde.

- You like it? - Yeah. You look sharp.

You must have been doing good on the outside.

I did too good.

That's why I'm back here. I need a rest.

- Well, happy holiday. - Thanks.

Well, well, well, Brenda.

Hi, Sturgess. You've put on a little weight.

I'll lose some of it now that you're back on our hands.

I'll do all I can to help you, Sturgess.

- Is this the Jensen girl? - That's right.

Come on in. You're more than welcome.

Helene.

- How do you do? - I'm Deputy Sheriff Green.

And I'm Miss Whittier, Reception Officer.

This is Helene Jensen and Brenda Martin.

If you'll sign for them, I'll be on my way.

I'd like to catch the afternoon train back to town.

I've got an important date tonight.

Indeed.

- Goodbye, Helene. - Goodbye, Miss Green.

- Thanks for everything. - That's all right.

Try to adjust yourself.

A lot of women have gone through

this and survived, and you will, too.

Listen to Brenda. She knows the ropes.

Every twist.

Thank you very much, Miss Whittier.

- So long, Brenda. Good luck. - Same to you on that date tonight.

- Be a good little cop. - I'll try. Goodbye.

Bye. She's a good sport.

- I beg your pardon? - I was talking about sports.

Something you wouldn't know anything about.

Jensen, Helene, housewife.

Manslaughter, 1 to 10.

You killed a child.

It was an accident.

Driving your car at 50 miles an

hour, trying to pass a car on the right.

- A child killed. - Hey, lookit,

she's in here to serve her time, so don't rub it in.

Martin, Brenda, forgery, 1 to 14.

Commonly known as paper-hanging.

I've been in here before, and I may be here again.

Empty your bags on my desk, please.

All articles of value are held here until the time of your release.

I'll take that ring.

And here are the rules of the institution.

I daresay you've broken every one in the book.

Jensen, your number will be 10914, and yours, 10915.

- Thanks a lot. - That will be all.

Report to the infirmary for your

physicals. I'm sure you know the way.

Like my own girdle.

Come on, kid.

- One moment, Martin. - What?

I'll trouble you for those earrings.

Yeah, wear them with green, honey. They did wonders for me.

I know them legs!

- Brenda! - Hi, Pol.

Bless my soul, where you been?

Outside, Pol, on parole. You know that.

- But I didn't make it. - What happened this time?

Well, I saw a $150 dress reduced to 32.50.

You know me, I couldn't resist such a bargain.

Never you mind. Anyhow, I'm sure glad you come home.

Thanks, hon. Helene, this is Polly.

Polyclinic Jones, my mother named

me after the hospital where I was born.

What you doing here, honey?

You don't belong in no place like this.

What happened, did you get mixed up with some man?

It's a long story, hon...

- Hold that paint detail! - Hold it, men.

Men in here?

Sure. This is a coeducational joint.

But the boys never get in here except

on work detail. When they do, wow!

- Let's check those passes. - Wait right here.

- All right, girls, break it up. - Come on, you. Break it up.

Come on, clear the corridor. Come on.

Where did you think you were going?

Captain, this is the paint detail.

We were on our way over here

to decorate one of the front offices

in the women's division.

I'm one of the best painters you got in this joint.

Wait a minute. That's not your card!

How dumb can you guys get?

- But, Captain, it looks okay. - Take another look.

You'll find it's been doctored.

The name and the number have been changed.

That card was made out to Murphy.

And Murphy's in the cell block, sick.

That's right, Captain,

but the poor guy was afraid you might think he was dogging it,

so I substituted. Keep his record clean.

Don't think you can con me, you jailhouse lawyer!

Take it easy, Captain!

Take a punch at me, will you?

Come on.

All right, get these men back to their cells.

Make a note of their numbers for

discipline. They knew what was going on.

All right, you guys...

And you, Burton, you come with me.

You've got a date with the warden!

What now, Tierney?

Burton here altered this work card.

Got himself onto the paint detail assigned to the women's division.

I spotted him just in time. That's not his real number.

What is it?

- 79639. - Eddie!

Yes, sir.

Did you think you could hit the wall easier from the women's side?

I wasn't trying to escape, Warden, not by that route. I know better.

When I stopped him, he tried to take a punch at me.

What have you got to say to that?

Nothing.

Armed robbery, finance companies' offices,

one count of kidnap robbery, ten years to life.

Your wife, Joan Burton, is doing time over on the women's side.

That's why you were trying to get over there!

What kind of a deal did you have cooked up with her?

Warden, don't put the heat on Joan. This was my idea.

She knew nothing about it.

I wanted to talk to her, that's all. I've got to!

What about?

I've been asking you for months to

let me see her for just a few minutes.

You know as well as I do that crime partners

are not permitted to visit each other.

She wasn't my crime partner.

She was convicted because they found my guns in her possession.

Why do you want to see her?

She's my wife.

She'll be out of here within a year,

and with 10 to life, I might not make it in 20.

Why, you said yourself she could never visit me.

I might die in here. I might never see her again.

I've got to tell her something.

Send your lawyer to see her.

She won't listen to anybody but me.

- I want to tell her this... - Shut up.

What you need is a hitch on the rock pile.

Warden, don't forget, this guy tried to sock me.

That's right. Twenty days in the hole.

- Get him out of here. - Let's go.

Trying to smuggle himself over on a paint detail.

Leave it to a con to think of a deal like that.

When are they going to do something about a separate prison for women?

I've been beefing about that for years,

but the state legislature won't come through with the dough.

Warden speaking.

It's for you, Doc.

This is the doctor.

Yes.

I see.

When did it happen?

I'll be right over.

That was Sturgess.

One of the girls they brought in this afternoon

seems to be in a state of shock.

One of those dames are always in a state of shock.

But Amelia knows how to handle them.

She knows my methods.

Excuse me, Warden.

I have a patient waiting.

Doctor, Jensen, Helene, 10914.

She's had her bath and her physical, and the report's in here,

also, her admission papers.

Whittier in the admitting room thought you'd better see them.

You can leave this on Miss van Zandt's desk.

Thank you.

And for heaven sakes, Doctor, give her something.

We have no time to fool with hysteria cases.

- I'm the doctor, Miss Jensen. - Doctor...

Apparently, this is your first experience in a place of this kind.

Yes.

I know how you feel.

Well, you have a clean bill of health.

And as for the trouble that brought you here

I killed a child.