After the inmates assigned to the Industries were situated and the recreation door was secured, those who were assigned to “inside details” were released from their cells. Then when all of the count data had been submitted to Fish in the Armory, Ernest Lageson started assembling and issuing equipment to the twelve men assigned as cellhouse orderlies. He also assisted Bernie Coy, who was assigned to the library detail and briefly supervised the orderlies’ activities as they began reviewing the request and distribution lists. Cretzer was forced to remain in his cell, since he still had not been assigned to a work detail, while the other inside-detail inmates lined up, waiting to start work.
The breakfast detail was supervised by Chief Steward Bob Bristow and Steward Charles Scanland, assisted by Officer Larry O’Brien. There were twenty-three inmates assigned to the Culinary Department, and their work schedules were among the most demanding in the prison, though these assignments were also the most highly coveted by the inmates. The culinary workers often labored seven days a week, and their cells were located close together at the west end of the cellhouse. They generally worked long hours, starting their day around 5:45 a.m., and ending sometime after 6:00 p.m. The culinary employees were not paid, unlike those working in the industries. However, there were many benefits that made this assignment worthwhile. The workers could sample fresh foods, and could even make special dishes, provided they managed to squelch the suspicions of the correctional officers. It was also said that many of the culinary inmates were able to concoct their own “special brews.” For convicts serving long sentences and life terms, there was little use for the money that they could earn in the industries. Additionally, all of the inmates assigned to the “inside work details” were often allotted special daily recreation yard privileges, away from the normal inmate population. If their work in the cellhouse was completed satisfactorily, they were allowed a short respite in the yard every afternoon.
By 11:10 a.m. most of the inside detail activities were complete, and the inmates would then returned to their cells for a count and to prepare for lunch. On this particular day, Henry Langston was the only inmate assigned to the yard for clean up and maintenance duty. Convicts assigned to this detail were nicknamed “yard birds.” Langston too was eventually called into the cellhouse, since inmates would soon be lining up in the yard in preparation to return to the Mess Hall. At 11:30 a.m. the powerhouse steam whistle blew, signaling the inmates to complete their tasks and prepare for the march back up into the main block. If the winds were blowing to the east, the industries whistle could often be heard at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. As an inmate recalled in an interview years later, several of the prisoners referred to their walk down the steep narrow path from the Recreation Yard as the “The Lonely Walk Down.” It was the only time when the inmates could see the city of San Francisco with minimal obstruction from fences and barbwire.
When Captain Weinhold gave the okay, the inmates began their controlled march through the metal detector, up the steep and narrow stairwell and into the yard for another count. All the while, they were watched intensely by the watchtower guards, who were ready to aim and fire their rifles should this become necessary. As the inmates lined up in their rows, Officer Shield completed his counts. Once the counts from all of the industry assignments were tallied and verified, the inmates were quietly marched back through the second metal detector and in to their cells. Once again as they carried out their tasks according to the strict protocol, Officer Miller hooked Key #107 to the lanyard clip, and Burch hoisted the key back up into the gun gallery. The inmates then took the time to rest and have a cigarette before the lunch whistle sounded.
At 11:55 a.m. the sound of a whistle resonated throughout the cellhouse, signaling for the inmates to line up outside their cells, and then at Captain Weinhold’s direction, they filed into the dining hall as usual. It has been suggested that this meal period was the meeting hub where the final signals were given that the prison break was on. The lunch period progressed according to its usual strict customs, and at 12:20 p.m., when all of the inmates had finished their meals and the eating utensil counts were completed, the inmates were marched out of the Mess Hall and back to their cells for another count. After this process had been completed, all those assigned to the industries would line up for their march into the recreation yard, and return to their specific work assignment. There was also a second sick-call for inmates wishing to be examined by the island’s physician. The inmates would notify their correctional officer, who in turn would provide them an approval slip to leave their assignment and fall into the designated line. Miran Thompson would be one of the first inmates to line up for sick call, while several others would form special lines for interviews with the Associate Warden, and the most favored would cue for visits that had been pre-approved by the Warden.
The cellhouse activities then started to shift focus to D Block, where the inmates were to be fed, and those with limited privileges were to be prepared for a brief excursion to the recreation yard. Marvin Orr, one of the officers assigned to the kitchen detail, helped wheel the food carts over to D Block, then started serving lunch to the inmates inside their cells, assisted by Correctional Officer Cecil Corwin. Officer Bill Miller had just returned from lunch, and he initiated the 1:00 p.m. inmate count. At that time, Bernie Coy gathered his broom and electric floor polisher and started preparing to clean the smooth-surfaced cement floors. With the majority of inmates back at work in the Industries, the cellhouse had grown fairly quiet, almost like a library.
By 1:30 p.m., the correctional staff was at its minimum level. Burch remained stationed in the West End Gun Gallery, where he usually spent his time after lunch on the D Block side, because the majority of the inmates would be found there during standard work hours. Of the prison’s operational staff on duty at the time, Correctional Officer Ernest Lageson was leaving the main cellhouse to take a short lunch break; Corwin would be on duty solo on the D Block floor; Bill Miller would be alone in the main cellhouse overseeing routine maintenance and cleaning activities; and lastly Joseph Burdett, a correctional officer from Joplin, Missouri, would be supervising the clean-up in the kitchen and dining areas.
Before Lageson departed, he met with Bernie Coy to give final instructions about the areas that would likely require the most attention. Feeling confident that Coy understood his work directive, Lageson made one last round to ensure that the workers had started in on their assigned tasks, and then made his way to the main entrance of the cellhouse, where he would leave the building for lunch. Lageson’s exit would mark the onset of an event that would forever be ingrained into the history of The Rock. As Coy pushed his broom, sweeping the aisle down Broadwaytoward Times Square, he carefully made his way to the edge of the cellblock, watching Lageson gesture to gate Officer Al Phillips at the main entrance to let him through. In D Block, the period following lunch was usually very quiet, since most of the inmates would take naps around this time. Coy hurriedly made his way to the library, and then made a tapping sound on the access door to D Block, to signal that the escape was commencing.
The sound of the taps would be the signal for Sam Shockley, who had been confined to D Block for his role in the bold May 1941 escape attempt with Joe Cretzer. He was residing in cell #D-5. Sam’s role was to start a disturbance in D Block, in order to shift attention away from the main cellblock. As Shockley screamed and shouted violent threats, Officer Corwin called for assistance to help calm the inmate, who was nicknamed “Crazy Sam” by inmates and guards alike. Officer Burch made his way to the D Block end of the gallery, attempting to size up the situation before calling down to Miller.
Meanwhile, Bernie Coy was making his way toward the kitchen to signal Marvin Hubbard. Marv was stalling as he completed his clean-up tasks, pacing himself so he could stop work as soon as he received the signal from Coy. Hubbard had made careful efforts to ensure that everything was in perfect order, so that Officer Burdett would not become suspicious. In accordance with their meticulous plan, Hubbard made a final stop at the wooden knife rack, and carefully slipped a large butcher knife into the underside of his shirtsleeve with the handle resting in his palm. Hubbard then approached Burdette, stating that he had finished his work and was ready to get some fresh air out in the yard. Not suspecting anything unusual, Burdette granted Hubbard permission to leave. Hubbard then went to the dining room entrance and waited for Officer Miller to open the gate and let him pass. Miller, who was unaware of the recent problems in D Block, opened the gate and let Hubbard pass through. As procedure dictated, Marv then stood at the base of the West End Gun Gallery waiting for Miller to search him. Miller locked the gate after Hubbard and approached the inmate. Meanwhile Coy, who was closely watching the two while walking toward them from C Block, carefully started pushing his broom closer and closer, trying not to spark suspicion.