The Setting

The extradition team had already picked up eleven males across the nation for transport to different prisons and jails. This last inmate was female. That meant she would have to travel in what the agents referred to as the "hot box."

Extradition vans are equipped to carry a maximum of twelve inmates and two agents.. The vans are customarialy Ford 350 vans or comparable size in another make vehicle. The back doors opened up to reveal two bench seats on either side of the van capable of seating four individuals on each. The rear side door opened only from the outside to ensure inmates are transported securely with no chance of escape. Another bench seat is found with a small compartment formed on the far side by iron mesh with a door opening toward the rest of the compartment. This door is secured with lock and key and is only 30 inches wide. It gives new meaning to tight space. The remainder of the bench seats three people forming a tight fit for even small individuals and excruciating closeness for large people. The agents, of course, are up front in bucket seats with an area for paperwork and the console. The front of the van is separated from the back by iron mesh-work as well.

The agents refer to the small compartment as the "hot box" because it is often used as a diciplinary measure to separate an inmate causing problems on the trip.

It is also used when transporting both male and female inmates to keep the genders seperate. As a usual, rule if all twelve inmates are the same gender the door to the small compartment is locked in an open position. Each compartment resembles a cage with no windows and reinforced by steel and iron. Each of the three compartments is outfitted with a metal door six inches square with a hasp and lock. This is used to pass food, drink and medication to the inmates enroute to their destinations. These trips can take anywhere from a few minutes up to six weeks or more to complete.

Inmates are transported fully secured. At pickup time they are placed in handcuffs, leg irons, martin chain (also refered to as a belly chain), black box, and a chain from the handcuffs to the leg irons or interconnected to another prisoner. They are kept in these at all times while in the van.

And today, Rhonda and Vila are picking up a female. They already have eleven males on board. The only option they have is to place her in the isolation compartment. It would be bad enough to be confined in such a small space, but the stench of body odor was becoming strong. They had been on the road for two days now and it would be another full twenty-four hours before they were scheduled to house the inmates at a facility to rest, shower, and give Rhonda and Vila opportunity to clean and freshen the van.

Vila pulls the van into the sally-port of the facility. The inmates are unloaded and escorted into the jail . A correction officer directs them to an empty cell and Rhonda and Vila make their way to an officer to take care of routine paperwork before the rest of the process of picking up an inmate takes place.

Rhonda is escorted to the holding cell the inmate is in to do the necessary questioning, inspecting, and searching to be able to transport the woman is completed.

"I am officer Rogers. I need to ask you some questions and check the personal property you will be taking with you during extradition. First of all your full name is Rochelle Renae Reynolds?"

Looking much like a little scared mouse, the twenty-three year old seemed taken off guard. "Yes, but I didn't know I was going to be extradited today. Can I call someone before I leave? I need to talk to my boyfriend and let him know Maryville is going to make me come back?"

"No. Security reasons prevent you having any calls before extradition. I'll make this as painless as possible, but there are rules that must be followed. Do you have any medical problems? Take any medications?"

"I have anxiety attacks. I am claustrophobic. I almost can't stay in the small cells here. I just can't breath." The young woman's voice was filled with fear.

"Do you take any regular medication for these attacks?" Rhonda asked.

"Nothing I have medication for with me. I just need it when I have an attack and I haven't seen a doctor in a while. I don't have money for meds. I lost my job." Tears began to trickle down Rochelle's cheeks. "I was on my way to an interview when I went through a road block. That's how they found out I had broken probation from Maryville. I had to get away from there to get straight though. That's why I left. I've kept a job and everything since I moved here."

Rhonda had heard the same story over and over as she traveled state to state extraditing inmates. No one was ever guilty. If they were, they were always breaking parole or probation because it was the ONLY way they could change their lifestyle. They were framed. There was always some excuse for being in jail in the first place. Probably one percent of the time the inmate was telling the truth. The remainder of the time they just didn't want to take responsibility for the mistakes they had made landing them in jail.

The interview process complete, Rhonda and Rochelle were escorted by a deputy to a place of privacy so Rhonda could strip search her inmate.

"I need for you to remove all your clothing. I will provide you with an extradition uniform you will be required to wear for the duration of the trip. This trip may be short. It may be long. We are given the itinerary on a daily basis as to where we will go. We may go several states in the wrong direction to reach Maryville. This is a normal proceedure in extradition. This trip will not be an easy one, but based on behavior, I will make it as easy as possible. I need for you to lift your breasts. Now squat and cough."

"It's so embarrasing," Rochelle said in a small voice.

"Everyone has to go through the same process, " Rhonda explained. "It is for your protection as well as others. I have found weapons or things that could be used for weapons."

Rochell's property had been gone through, listed and properly placed in a property bag for transportation. This property could not be accessed again until delivery of the inmate to her destination. All forms were filled out and in order. Rhonda had signed a release form accepting transfer of custody of the inmate, placed Rochelle in restraints and now to the van for the long extradition trip.

Vila had given the eleven male inmates a bathroom break while Rhonda was gaining custody of Rochelle. He had eight seated in the back of the van waiting for Rhonda and the female to load up.

"Rochelle, this is going to be difficult for you. I know you told me you have a problem with small places. You are going to have to get in that small space and I am going to have to lock that gate behind you."

Panic in her eyes, Rochelle gasped, "No! I can't. I just can't get in there. I won't be able to breathe!"

Calmly Rhonda spoke to the frightened woman again. "Rochelle, I will help you. We don't have a choice as to whether you will go or not. We also don't have a choice as to how. You are traveling with eleven males and you have to be seperated by iron mesh from the males. That leaves only this compartment. Now, I am going to take your arm and help you up the step to the seat."

With a heightened sense of anxiety, Rochelle inched closer to the open door of the van. Looking back at Officer Rogers, she got into the van and sat on the seat. Her breath began to come in fast gasps.

"Just sit here a minute, " Rhonda coaxed. "Now, inch over a little. I am going to get in beside you and help you move over to the corner.

Eyes wild with fright, Rochelle exclaimed, "I can't! I can't get in that place and no window or nothing!"

"Yes, you can. Take a deep breath. That's right. Take another one. Okay. Now I want you to close your eyes. That's right, just close your eyes and breath deep. Take your time. Don't open your eyes, but scoot over just a little. That's it, Rochelle. Little by little, " Rhonda gently coaxed.

As Rochelle's shoulder touched the wall of the van, her eyes popped open. With a catch of her breath, she wailed, "I'm going to be sick."

"No you're not. Close your eyes again. Deep, even breaths. Just keep your eyes closed until you can handle it. I am going to close the gate now. Every time you feel overwhelmed just close your eyes. You will be okay now."

Vila placed the other three males in the van on the bench next to the isolation cage.

"Officer Rogers, " Smith, one of the males said.

"Yes," she responded.

"Mam, you know that's the first time I ever saw a officer do something like that."

"Like what Smith?"

"Help one of us that way. Most would have just throwed her in that cage, or sprayed her with pepper spray. They wouldn't of got up there and helped her do what she's got to do."