Finally a guard came into the holding cell and called out 17 of us by name. He informed us that we would be taking a bus to the Colorado Territorial Prison-more specifically an infamous jail house called Cell House 5. My fellow inmates (all who had been in prison before) informed me that Cell House 5 was used as as a staging facility. Cell House 5 is located in Canon City, pronounced Canyon City (Fremont County).
For most Coloradans, "Canon City" and "Fremont County" are synonymous with "prison". There are 12+ state and federal prisons located in Fremont County. The Federal Correctional Complex in Fremont County (Florence) is home to the US Supermax which has become infamous for being home to the terrorists involved in the 1993 and 2001 World Trade Center attacks, drug lords and infamous bombers. Just down the road from these fine individuals is the Colorado State Territorial Prison. The prison was built in 1870 and is called the Territorial Prison because it served the Western US Territory in the 19th Century. The Territory included New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. The prison has a solid rock wall that surrounds it and has housed famous inmates like Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid and now, you can add Brandon Stephens. 😉
Cell House 5 is part of the Territorial Prison Complex and is used to hold inmates who are in transit between facilities. Cell House 5 is also famous because its interior design is eerily similar to that of the famous Alcatraz. So me knowing that I was being moved to Cell House 5 was not very helpful at all-it was just another holding area where I'd be held until a bed opened up at my final destination. I was told that me being moved to Cell House 5 meant that my final destinations could be narrowed down to 2 locations-Delta or Rifle.
As they loaded us out of our holding cell at the DRDC they informed us that we would be taking a bus for the journey south. To further complicate the logistics of moving us, the bus would have all the levels of inmates (min, med, max) traveling together. The Department of Correction's solution to this is to segregate the bus with doors that divided the inmates. There are even 1 person cages for the Hannibal Lecters of the world. Minimum security prisoners were loaded first. We were still required to wear belly chains ( I didn't have to wear ankle cuffs because they didn't have any big enough). The maximum security guys were belly chained plus they were chained to each other. It had been a long time since I was on a school bus and it now felt like I was on the Field Trip to Hell.
As we pulled out of the facility it felt surreal to be back outside. I had been indoors for 10 straight days! We took I-225 to I-25. One of the low points of my whole prison experience thus far happened as we were in a traffic jam on I-25. Traffic was moving very slowly and I was sitting next to the window. As we were sitting there, an SUV pulled up along side of the bus with the cutest little boys in the back seat. They reminded me so much of my nephews Scott and Ty-who by this point I have really missed. I miss all my nephews and nieces so this made it that much worse. As they pulled up along side of us, both of the boys looked up at me and so I made a funny face at them and they started to laugh-it was so cute. While they were laughing I I raised my hands to wave at them (with handcuffs on)-by now their mom was looking back to see what they were laughing at-and she clearly saw that I was a handcuffed prisoner riding in a prison bus. She immediately pushed their hands down (they had started to wave back) and made the Dad who was driving, speed up and get into the other lane. It broke my heart to have such a tangible experience of how society viewed me from the outside of that bus-I think that hit home more than anything - this was not some nightmare that I was going to magically wake up from - I was truly an inmate - Colorado Inmate 179321.
It took about 4 hours to reach Cell House 5. We made various stops along the way to drop other prisoners off at different facilities (Colorado Springs, Canon City). It was surreal to take I-25 out of town and drive right past Highlands Ranch and be so close to Sal and our kids-yet so far away...
I asked the guards how long they thought I would be there-the consensus seemed to be that most inmates were there 2-3 weeks. That worried me because as much as I loved the atmosphere for the time being, when it was time to sleep, it was not going to be ideal. Sure enough, when it came to go to sleep-it was impossible. I figured out real quick where Cell House 5 got the name, "The Jungle". Inmates were screaming, laughing, and yelling the entire night-it was absolute chaos. It reminded me of being a leader at Scout Camp and having to yell at the boys all night to knock it off and go to sleep...except for I didn't yell at the inmates because they might have stabbed me in the neck with a sharpened toothbrush....
I did not sleep at all the entire night. By morning, I was sure that 1-2 weeks in Cell House 5 might drive a person to the brink of insanity. Fortunately, just as I was fashioning bread from my breakfast as ear plugs, a guard came and told me that I was being transferred to another facility in Delta, CO. I had gotten the best of both worlds-the historic visit to Cell House 5 without losing my mind...
This is a typical cell at Cell House 5 in Colorado
Pictures that helped get me through the worst of times in prison -
Brandon Stephens, Weld County Jail, Wood Group, Sentenced, 5 Years, Prison, NFL, DRDC, Rifle Correctional Center, Colorado Department of Corrections, Jail, Judge Quammen, Steve Wrenn, Weld County, Executive, Oil, Gas, White Collar, Wood, BYU, Masters Degree, Colorado State University, SWIFT, Firefighter, Wildland, Sawyer, Fire, Inmate, Brandon Stokey, Miracles, Centennial Community Correctional Center, Delta Correctional Center, DRDC, Denver Diagnostic and Reception Center, Felony, Sallie Stephens, Greeley Tribune, Judge Thomas Quammen, DA Steve Wrenn, Weld County Court, Oil & Gas, Cell House 5
Brandon Stephens, Weld County Jail, Wood Group, Sentenced, 5 Years, Prison, NFL, DRDC, Rifle Correctional Center, Colorado Department of Corrections, Jail, Judge Quammen, Steve Wrenn, Weld County, Executive, Oil, Gas, White Collar, Wood, BYU, Masters Degree, Colorado State University, SWIFT, Firefighter, Wildland, Sawyer, Fire, Inmate, Brandon Stokey, Miracles, Centennial Community Correctional Center, Delta Correctional Center, DRDC, Denver Diagnostic and Reception Center, Felony, Sallie Stephens, Greeley Tribune, Judge Thomas Quammen, DA Steve Wrenn, Weld County Court, Oil & Gas, Cell House 5
This is truly terrifying as this is where my son was taken two days ago. I haven't been able to talk to him since he was shipped to DRDC two weeks ago. I paid money so he could call me but now I see why he hasn't called yet. Thank you for sharing your story, as unsettling as it is. I pray he gets transferred quickly.
ReplyDeleteMy son is also there and has said it's worse than anything on TV!!! He's terrified that he's not going to make it! !!! I pray he gets moved soon! !! !!!
ReplyDeleteMy son is there too I pray he gets moved quick I haven't talked to mine eighter I'm also worried all we can do is pray
ReplyDeleteHow long did it take before they moved your son? My son has been at this place for a wk now. I haven't heard from him in the last 2 days, I'm feeling really worried. He's supposed to be going to a minimal restricted facility.
DeleteSo after reading your blog Brandon it's all making sense to me now. My son was in prison for the last 2 yrs at a private facility called Crowley Correctional facility way South East of the Denver suburbs. I thought that place was so bad from what our son had told us & just how they treated us coming to visit him. Then finally he got approved for a MR facility, Well about a week ago they shipped him out to "cell house 5" we had no idea that he would be moved to this "God forsaken" place. We thought he was going to a minimal restricted facility, now I know why you refer to this shit hole as the "jungle" when he gets to call me It sounds like total mayham, I heard people screaming in the background, & one voice was a womens. I asked him what the hell was that & was it a women, he said yes it was a female guard & she was screaming back at another guard. I told him I think this is another dirt rd off the main track, just more punishment, or better still torture. He has no idea where his destiny will be after this mad house. I'm hoping closer to us. He said he can't sleep the screaming & hollering is 24/7. I haven't heard from him now in 2 days. He said he's not allowed to use the phone whenever he wants, & when he does it's only 5 -10 mins. I just pray for him everyday, reading your blog now gives me more of an insight to where they have him right now. Pretty scary & very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI love the writing here, cell house 5 ain't nothing, yes it's some b.s. but hey,so is the whole system, your son is probably @ his new facility now.
DeleteI too have lived thru the nightmare! From drdc to canon city and finally on to delta, with a short stop at Buena vista
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised that we were then relieved of all shackles
After surviving the past five or six weeks of pure hell, delta and the way I was treated there, both by guards and other inmates was quite a relief. After some time, I found a job, everyone is required to work, I pretty much stayed to myself. That and working out on the weight pile, consumed most of my time. Don't get me wrong! Prison is prison!! I spent the next few years just surviving. I really don't think I could have stayed as phisacally or mentally fit as I did at a higher security prison. Now I am rambling. It can be done though.
I went there in 1980 and was only 19 yrs old. Talk about some scary shit. It did, however, prepare me for a life in and out of prison. It takes a real man to survive that "Jungle"
DeleteHey my dude. Glad to hear someone with this perspective. I did a stay at cellhouse 5 a few years ago. Thankfully they finally shut that nightmare down because of covid last March. I hope all is well
ReplyDelete-Philthy Phil
Eh it's not that bad. You put up sheets to take a crap for privacy, read, "interact" with the jungle, watch the TV you can see on occasion. A decent cell mate can help, chat about things you relate on, help each other feel more comfortable in that tiny cell. Yeah it's ghetto ass prison, but when night comes most people want to shut up, you pass out eventually either way. DRDC is almost worst because it's just you alone for most of that lockdown. Might get a cell mate on your way out. You get the exercise getting your food going up the stairs lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd who ever is tripping about Crowley, that facility is a private one and is WAYY more chill than a state run facility. It is disorganized at times, but for "doing time" there isn't much better for a medium facility. Very easy time. Did almost 2 years myself...
I was there myself in 2000. It's no joke.
ReplyDeleteUh-huh,,Been there,Done that,absolute torture,and very effective at that , almost to the point of suicide becoming a reality.Thank God for blessing us with with the power of Prayer and the awesome effectiveness there-of. Amen & Amen . EdDowney#47568
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteThank you all for your insight. I’ve been told through my husband that they use Cell House Five on way to Community Corrections, at least some have told him. If that is true, I pray tonight and the next few that he stays safe and sane before heading north within the next five days, I hope and pray.
ReplyDeleteMy friend is about to head to DRDC, are you allowed to take anything with you? Pictures, books etc?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, no. Your friend will have access to some reading materials after a couple days.
DeleteWow everything I have read on this blog about cell house 5 is spot on. I was there in November of 1998, it was freezing cold, making phone calls was difficult because at this time your still and inmate in transit. As an inmate it is your first real exposure to prison and other inmates. Tobacco was just starting to be phased out but still around, lighters were at a premium so inmates would throw lit wicks (toilet paper twisted like ropes) across the tiers from cell to cell to light their ciggs. The tiers were not that far apart. The place was built at a time when the average man was fairly short so being 6 foot 4 my feet hung over bunk and into the bars. When chow was call your cell door simply stroked open and closed which meant you had about 30 seconds to get out before the door bar door closed and these doors had no safety stops. if you or a body part got stuck in the door it would crush you. At this juncture rhe only toiletries you had were whata called an "Indegent pack" a thin bar of soap, a 3 inch toothbrush and some toothpaste. Showers were not offered daily and when your door opened to be able to walk to the cage and take a shower you got 1 small towel and the water was controlled by the guards so you had to hurry. I think you got around 2-3 minutes and they shut the water off and they did not care if you still had soap on your body. For them that was your problem. This was also the first place I was issued a jacket at the facilities orientation. All Jackets had a reflective diamond sewn on the back that were were told is a target for the guards in the towers. This was also the first chance as an inmate to walk the yard. This was when any depression I may have been carrying for receiving a 4 year sentence quickly went away after hearing other inmates talking about their sentences of 25, 45, 75, and even 95 years. For the first time as an inmate I felt fortunate. I also remember walking the yard (the area on the other side of that solid rock wall) and looking at the other inmates and thinking to myself, "thank God there are prisons" See Colorado's inmates are separated through a points system they assign to each inmate while at DRDC. This is done by the years of your sentence, type of crime, gang affiliation, and your past history as an inmate if you have one. Also the assign you to a facility based on a facilities needs. In other words, if your a plumber by trade and your points are low enough and Arrowhead needs a plumber, your going to Arrowhead. In a nutshell this is one of the prisons that all levels of inmates are together, so it can be intimidating for some. I remember a sign in the chow hall that said "Hard Rock Cafe" I thought that was clever. I remember being told the only inmates housed at Territorial were older inmates, inmates with medical issues such as HIV, Hepatitis, etc. Well all prisons are for the most part operated using inmate labor so these were the intmatea that worked in the cafeteria so needless to say I did not have much of an appetite for anything being served. The biggest memory I had of cellhouse 5 was anxiety. Because at this point nobody really knows what facility they are going to end up at until you get off the bus and are told. I ended up at Delta and it was a work camp but I was one of the lucky ones and was sent there because of trade, so I stayed on the facility. i got to Delta and was gone in less then a year and sent to community corrections (halfway house) and paroled from there. Well let me back up off that. The first time I seen the parole board I was denied. I seen the board a year later and they paroled me to my MRD (manditory release date) its a little trick that DOC does so they can say they are paroling inmates but in reality they are not. Then I started my second sentence that they call Parole.
ReplyDeletecontinuation from above.....
ReplyDeleteMine was a mandatory 5 more years. So on the 4 years I did 3. Then on the 5 years I did every day of it. Its bad for business so to speak to release anyone early. My felony was the first and only one I have ever had. Class II felony possession schedule iv controlled substance. At that time it was a mandatory 4 year minimum sentence with a maximum of 12. That was 30 yeats ago and I have never been back nor have I ever used again.
4/ 2023 My son went to Jefferson county jail in Golden Colorado for 3 months transported him to cell house 5, then transfer to Trinidad prison for 5 months. Suddenly yesterday was transported back to cell house 5.. I was told the next transfer will be to help him transition back to the community. His parole hearing in August and parole eligibility November 2024. Throughout the facilities and the prisons he told me they go weeks without hot water shortage of food and their systems constantly down unable use phone. This is the first time my 23 son has been incarcerated and I'm holding on the faith will be his last. He will be Forever haunted by the trauma and the nightmares mentally and physically changed man. This journey has left me devastated my heart aches as I wait for his phone calls to know he's okay, hearing his voice gets me through until he able to call again.
ReplyDelete