After greeting the criminal bosses, my introduction to the place where I'd be living for the next five years begin. I walk into the big room, and it's packed with people. Some are sitting, others standing, and everyone has to listen to the rules of behavior being broadcast by TV. I ask someone, "And what, we have to stand in this room all day along?". Yes, that it's. The environment felt like a cattle shed. And honestly, it wasn't far from the truth.

Soon, lunchtime comes. We stand in line and head to the dining hall. Some people wait their turn, others push their way through. One man falls to the floor, shaking and vomiting. No one seems to notice him. It’s epilepsy - he collapses so often that soon I won’t notice him either. I take my portion and taste the unpleasant looking mass. Well, it’s almost edible. I guess it could be worse.

After the meal, we return to the shed. I have to describe what that living block looks like. It’s a building made up of several large rooms with many rows of bunk beds, one common hall, and a few small utility areas. The area around the building looks quite peaceful, with a tidy yard, flowers, two pine trees, and a designated smoking spot where we can go, if the comendant allows it.

Some inmates behave differently: they are allowed to sleep on a bed, walk around freely, and they always seem very busy. They are the “activists,” who carry out tasks given by the officers and high ranking inmates.

I'm staying in the common hall, feeling frustrated and trying to talk to other guys who look like me. Nothing happens. At some point, I hear my name. The commedant is calling me and leads me to the sleeping room. There, I meet an inmate who is in charge of newcomers. It's the beginning of the next stress test. His speech is complete bullshit. He tries to scare me, creates a gloomy atmosphere, judges me, blames me...

— "You're a pusher! Think about the kids who might find your stuff! They could die!" he yells.

— "Man, it was just weed..."

— "Doesn’t matter! They could eat the package and choke!" he continues.

But in the end, he says, "All right, don’t worry." I return to the common hall.

After supper, the broadcasting switched to a movie. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed. The inmates can have some tea, of course, only if they have any. It's 10 p.m, everyone lies on their beds, the lights are turned off. It's the end of the first day.