The Big House by James H. Bruton

Author:James H. Bruton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MBI
Published: 2010-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Officer Bill Anthony seemed up to the task of the Segregation Unit. His experience in Oklahoma was invaluable, and it didn’t take long for him to make significant contributions to our procedures. He performed well under demanding circumstances.

Then he met double murderer Marshall Walker.

Walker was one of those felons with the outward appearance of a “nice guy.” He was a model inmate, friendly and talkative, one not likely to cause trouble. His good behavior had earned him prime work assignments out of his cell and in close contact with the staff. During his work time, he spoke with Anthony of his life on the outside, describing it as filled with wealth and glamour.

In contrast, Anthony’s life had recently taken a turn for the worse. He had become financially strapped. His marriage was failing. He was separated from his children. He was drinking too much and abusing drugs. As his personal life fell apart, Anthony did not turn to friends or family, a counselor or religious leader. Instead, he turned to a convicted murderer.

Months later, Anthony would describe Walker as a “high roller who was easy to talk to, and someone who lived in the fast lane.” In fact, Walker was smart, cunning, and dangerous. Federal authorities were temporarily detaining Walker at Oak Park Heights pending transfer to another prison. He was an accomplished and manipulative felon with a plan, and Anthony was to become a major player.

Anthony’s work assignment required him to spend long days in the unit, and he spent a lot of time around Walker, who was a floor cleaner and thus often out of his cell during the day. Their routine conversations took a wrong turn. Instead of communicating with Walker on a purely professional level, Anthony broke the cardinal rule. Disregarding the most protected of all correctional officer practices, Anthony brought Walker into the sacredness of his personal life. Anthony allowed his judgment to become contaminated by alcohol and drug abuse, as well as a misguided belief that his association with Walker would somehow enhance his perception of himself. He was wrong. Instead, he became a hopeless pawn in a scheme of manipulation and conspiracy.

As Christmas approached, Anthony continued to outwardly perform his duties at the prison without difficulty. Inwardly, however, he worried about the looming holiday season and how few dollars he had for his children’s Christmas presents.

The more contact he had with Walker, the more he became enamored with the seemingly glamorous felon. During their conversations, Anthony was able to escape, however temporarily, some of his personal troubles. Walker bragged about his wealth and his status in the world of criminals. Anthony listened, captivated.

If Anthony had followed what he learned in the academy, it may have saved his career. Instead, he lost all control, talking freely with Walker about his financial difficulties and even some of his after work activities. He gave Walker a picture of his life outside the prison–a tragic error on his part. Walker absorbed it all.

Walker tracked the dates, places, and activities that Anthony confided to him.

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