The Warden's Mistresses

By William Malic

New inmates, a new Warden, and a sordid past, Valley Correctional Facility for Woman was about to change. New meat led to slaughter? Could the Warden bring reform? Who were the women who would become his mistresses? Could he change the culture? Sexually charged captives in a isolated compund, away from public scrutiny, anything could happen; and did. It was a matter of survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781105901942

Book preview

The Warden's Mistresses

Chapter 1– The Beginning

Positioning himself before a large bay window, the stately Warden afforded himself a clear observation of the prison complex from the seclusion of his office high atop the administration building. He gazed outwardly to a cloudless, azure sky infiltrated by glimmering rays from the mid-day sun.  Two official passenger vans entered the transfer yard slowly.  Inmates, transfers from other facilities, were arriving.  Authorized to implement a unique ideology based on his own principles and convictions, but contrary to the current protocol, he had an opportunity to change the future of this place.  These inmates would prove to be integral in the process.  Today, however, they were simply new meat, led to the slaughter.

It was the Warden's inaugural day at Valley Correctional Facility for Woman, a female only state prison, located near an otherwise unremarkable small town, upstate, far from any major metropolitan area.  One of the town's only two major industries, the other being Valley Community College situated on the other side of the sleepy burg, VCFW lays claim to being the smallest female correctional facility in the state; barely on the radar of public examination

Tall, thin and athletic, elegantly attired in a traditional tailored dark business suit, white pinpoint Oxford dress shirt and red power tie, the Warden clasped his hands behind his back.  His intensity, while surveying the commencement of the transfer proceedings, emphasized his strong features; square jaw, tight lips, and visibly highbrow demeanor. Well groomed, he presented a dignified public persona.  His bright, crystal green eyes, perpetually twinkling, often with a hint of mischief, hid an inner turmoil burdened by deep thought, expressed by his no-nonsense disposition, yet were filled with compassion.  He could stare down the most formidable adversary; instilling instant respect, while melting the hardest of hearts.

Twelve wide-eyed females emerged from the transits dressed in street clothes.  Had this not been a well-guarded holding area, in a highly secure confinement facility, one might conceive them as a young women's group on a pleasure journey.  Disheveled hair, many slovenly attired and exhibiting poor feminine manners, and a general flippant attitude testified they were not members of the local church's women's club.  Their travel had not been for the benefit of a leisure excursion.  They owed society for their decisions made in prior indiscretions for which they had earned jail time. Time at Valley was sure to not be a memorable Kodak moment, yet it could be remarkable, but more than likely it would be a nightmare.  Not one was over thirty; some appeared as if they were in their late teens.  They were, for the most part wild and untamed; a far cry from the normal associates of the Warden, whom usually had the benefit of learning socially refinements through their formal cultivation by more sophisticated experiences. These were, "street wise, yet lacking in heritage," he thought.

A cadre of guards stood at the ready.  A core group, qualified in control, and prepared to instinctively react to any threat formed the nucleus.  These guards were unarmed, since they were vulnerable to an initial attack and might be easily be disarmed, thus giving the hoard access to weapons.  Supporting units, equipped with Tasers offered a protective screen of additional personnel.  On the perimeter, well-armed sentries with live ammunition completed the formidable ring of security.  Quickly the core herded the prisoners in the direction of an electronically monitored gate which swung open to admit the new arrivals into the reception hall.  All proceeded as to orders, with no incidences.  Once the prisoners and their unarmed escort entered the building the gate closed with a resounding clang, signaling the armed authority to retreat back to their normally assigned stations. The transit van drivers started their engines and backed out of the now deserted yard.

Within the hall, a vaulted concrete encased enclosure monitored by security cameras, additional armed guards equipped with lethal weapons observed from shielded garrets.  Though the area was stark, dungeon like, it was bright, bathed by the nearly vertical rays of the sun magnified by a massive prismatic skylight.   Like ants under a hand lens, the prisoners instinctively cupped their hands over their eyes as a defense from the glare as they were mustered into a straight line by three prison matrons.  A wide yellow strip, outlined in black, had been painted in the center of the yard, in bright contrast to the otherwise dominance of bleak tones of gray.  Aligning themselves on this marker, the prisoners were instructed to form a single rank.  An eerie silence fell across the gathering as they were told not to speak unless directly addressed and to always keep all eyes forward.

After a time when no one spoke or moved, a voice bellowed from a shadowy alcove to the left of the assemblage.  Listen up; for I give directions only once, the speaker shouted, his deep baritone voice echoing off the solid walls.  Miss my command and your first day here, will not be a pleasant one.  Somewhat more congenial the speaker continued, Welcome to Valley, your new home.

The voice, so distinct that all would be sure to forever recall it, issued forth from a tall lithe figure of a man emerging from the shadows cast by an overhanging awning attached to one wall.  He was immaculately dressed in a military style uniform which was neatly pressed. Dazzling spit-shined shoes flashed reflected beams of light and he carried a riding crop which he repeatedly cracked into his hand to emphasize his orders.  Gaudy accompaniments; large epaulets with gold fringe, multicolored service ribbons and a row of chevrons on each sleeve, romanticized the uniform.  Dark mirrored aviator glasses obscured his eyes, unaffected by the glare.  The slightest movement did not escape his notice.  Employing a slow deliberate cadence, he passed before each new inmate, carefully observing their profile.  With each step a metallic click reverberated in the grim arena as each heal stamped into the hard surface of the floor.  Pausing beside one inmate who had dared chance a glance his way, he raised his whip as if to bring a sudden and stunning blow on her, only to simply mildly tap the leather on her shoulder.  Number eight, this is warning number one. I repeat that all eyes are to be forward, unless ordered otherwise. His command was loud and clear and in reaction all twelve in line jumped to obey, staring forward, jutting their chins out, inhaling with chests swelled, and sucking stomachs in.

Thank you ladies, the Captain of the Guard bellowed once he had finished his first pass.  With that he saluted them as if they had been of royalty, then removing his head cover; bowed so low his bare head nearly touched the floor.  No one saw the ceremonial consideration because their eyes were riveted to the back of the head of the woman in front of them, except for the first in line who stared blankly straight ahead.  You are learning quickly.  To an unseen entity, he reported I believe we shall have few problems today, for these good women seem to have some sense.

Ladies, I am Captain Horacio Altamont, again he uncovered his head and bowed. I am privileged to address you for the first time, and hopefully the last, for if you are to ever have the misfortune to be summoned in my presence again it will be for the most ill-fated business.  If you will follow the rules and obey orders, without deficiency, you will endure the least negative consequences.  However, if I am required to have to summon your presence to my office, though I am rather a pleasant specimen to view, and can normally be quite engaging in a most intriguing way, he whipped his riding crop shattering the air, you will at that time undoubtedly find me to be in a most disagreeable state.  I assure you it will not be an affable encounter, for I pledge to you, I can, and I will imprint a lasting impression upon both your mind and body.  Captain Altamonte again whipped his crop and struck some object evoking a shrill sound which resounded through the arena, penetrated the nerves of those listening stimulating an acute sharp painful sensation that percolated through all, raising the hair on every neck.

He continued his narrative. "To begin, I am reminded of the classic opening from Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities,

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...it was the spring of hope; it was the winter of despair.

So here we begin, for everything has a beginning. Mark my words; here too will be an ending. We alone have wide-ranging authority over your fate.  As for the beginning, at Valley we care little as to what unfortunate circumstance brought you to our realm.  The facts, though they may have some bearing to the past and too your current situation, are now not of any of our concern.  Regarding your guilt for the crime you have been charged, adjudged, and convicted in court; it is of no concern to us.  Whether your adjudication held merit or lacked validity is not our concern.  Do not trouble yourselves by offering up proof of any false allegations directed at you, for it is not in your interest to offer any defense.  That time has passed.  Judgment day has passed and you are now sealed to your fate. There is no appeal.

This day you have been officially remanded to custody in this facility until such time as the court orders your release.  During this time we must, according to law, detain you; and we exercise complete control and jurisdiction over every second of your existence.  No one can escape our scrutiny, nor will we find any cause to suspend our sworn duty.  Only the most fundamental rights of human existence are afforded you, and you will have no other recourse or protection under rights governing law abiding citizens outside this prison.  Here you are subject only to the Law of Valley.  You will be schooled methodically on that Law, and you will fulfill the mandates of the Law of Valley.  If you stray from the Law, you do so at your own jeopardy, for justice here is exceedingly swift and terribly severe.

We are required to only deliver the minimal of protection from the elements.  You will be assigned a cell either as a single inmate or in some situations up to a maximum of 4 inmates per unit.  Each of you will have one bunk which you must care for and see to the prevention of any alteration, either by yourselves or others.  A mattress with a water proof protector, two sheets and a pillow and cover are provided.  In winter a single blanket is added to your supply.  Sheets and pillow cases are exchanged only once per week.  Your quarters have one commode and one sink to share.  These must be thoroughly scrubbed no less than once a day, or as often as needed to assure sanitation.  One roll of toilet tissue is issued per month for each inmate, so my advice is you use it sparingly.  One bar of soap is likewise allotted, per cell, also on a monthly basis.  Inmates may possess a personnel comb and toothbrush; nothing else.

We provide sufficient sustenance to sustain life.  You will eat when we tell you to, what we tell to, and you will not waste any.  If you have no complaints filed against you and have obeyed our rules we allow you to barter meals, providing you continue to ingest a balanced diet.  Hardy eaters are encouraged to befriend those with lesser appetites, for all receive the same proportions.  If you should become ill, you are to report this to a staff member as soon as possible.  We provide medical care in our dispensary. Only for extremely acute case are you referred to other facilities, if any are available.  Purposeful feigning an illness will result in stern punishment according to the Law of Valley."

The rank was instructed by the matrons to turn and face the Captain forming a line.  During this process The Captain remained silent.  A second inspection began.  Taking up his slow deliberate pace he passed first in front of the inmates, returning by their rear.  Once completed, he found his original mark and yet again addressed the assembly, you will remove all jewelry or other body adornments, including those hideous piercings some might dare to deface themselves with.  That which God has blessed you with will no longer suffer mutilation.  The three matrons approached, one recorded items removed, and another placed the items in a pouch which she sealed once the third certified everything had been accounted for.  Contents of pockets or other concealment's were likewise recorded and also bagged to be stored until the time they would to be released back to the owners upon checking out of the facility.

The matrons produced storage bins from a cart that had been rolled into the room.  Each bin had a different name stamped on it and it was placed in front of the appropriate inmate.  Lids were removed and the pouch of personal effects placed inside.  Shoes were next, the size noted, tagged and these also were retained in the bin.  A slight stir erupted upon the next charge, but it ceased immediately when the Captain struck his whip and glared menacingly at the woman.  The cause for consternation was his instructions to remove all of their outer garments, leaving for the time being the group clad only in their underwear.  Though the only staff directly approaching the inmates was female, the rest of the personnel assigned to carry out this specific enterprise were male.  Despite this affront to their female dignity, no protests were honored.  Each article of clothing was marked and the inmate was directed to carefully fold and place the garment into their bin.

ATTENTION! Warden on the floor, someone commanded, and the staff stiffly came to attention, except for the armed sentries.  A Security official made a point of announcing all arms to the ready. The Warden entered through a side door and proceeded to a vantage point directly behind the Captain. He signaled nonchalantly, as he passed, with the wave of his hand indicating they were to proceed with the task at hand.  Duty officers resumed a more causal stance and the matrons again instructed the inmates.  They were to remove any item of clothing still on their person and place those items in a plastic bag provided for this purpose.  Reluctantly each obeyed the command.  Twelve inmates stood spaced equally along the yellow line as natural as the day they had been born.  Some shyly clutched their hands in front of their intimate parts, while others crossed their arms across their exposed breasts, but others stood defiantly, refusing to shield themselves, allowing those who guarded them an uninhibited view.

The Captain again addressed the group, you have discovered that all rights to modesty are suspended for the duration of your stay.  What privileges there are, though they are few, can only be achieved through merit awards, which are given quite prudently.  As to the general question of dignity; the human body was created in God's own image, so we are told.  As Adam and Eve were conceived, you too have been exposed to your perfect state.  The Captain turned to the Warden, do you wish to inspect the inmates?  The Warden nodded ever so slightly.  As the two paced in front of the rank they paused in front of each woman. Only the Captain spoke, you will be afforded suitable dignity only when you have earned it.  Whether in the presence of man or woman dutifully assigned to your observation, nothing escapes scrutiny. The duo moved to the next person, carefully noting every feature. If you make an attempt at concealment, it will surely be uncovered. With the crop he instructed the woman to lower her arm which she had used to cover her breast. To the next inmate he said. We allow no secrets, and again I remind you, your willingness to completely conform to orders will afford you the least discomfort. I see that this one has a scar. What was the cause Miss?

I was in an automobile accident, she spoke out.

Ah, yes, it is so unfortunate; it spoiled some of the perfect work of the Master.  We may attempt to defy the law of man, but the abuse of God’s physical law has its just response.  For every action there is a reaction, I believe is the way it is formulated.  To defy the Law of Valley also has its responses.  Note this, my fair ones. Just as this scar, he slowly traced the scar with the point of his whip causing the inmate mild discomfort to which she flinched, retracting from the offending shaft.  The Captain sharply struck her on the shoulder, not with a great force, but enough to