Inmate Shares Memories of 30 Years in Prison Cells

From dealing with cellmates to navigating bathroom etiquette, an incarcerated man reflects on the realities of life behind bars.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Tutankhamon Waterman, who has spent 27 years incarcerated across 26 different prison cells, shares intimate details about the challenges and occasional moments of tenderness that come with sharing such close quarters with cellmates over decades of imprisonment.

Why it matters

This first-hand account provides a rare glimpse into the daily lived experiences of those serving long sentences in the U.S. prison system, highlighting the psychological and practical difficulties of adapting to the confines of a shared cell environment over an extended period of time.

The details

Waterman describes the various rules and unwritten guidelines he has learned to navigate when it comes to using the bathroom, sleeping, and dealing with cellmates who may be unclean or even violent. He recounts specific incidents like a cellmate vomiting on the floor and the anxiety of potentially being robbed on commissary day. However, Waterman also shares tender moments, such as when a cellmate comforted him as he wept after reading his pre-sentence report.

  • Waterman has lived in 26 cells over 27 years of incarceration.
  • He was first incarcerated at Buckingham Correctional Center, a state prison west of Richmond, Virginia.

The players

Tutankhamon Waterman

An incarcerated individual who has spent 27 years in prison across 26 different cells and has experienced both the challenges and occasional moments of tenderness that come with sharing such close quarters with cellmates over decades of imprisonment.

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What they’re saying

“First, flush repeatedly while using the bathroom. Purchase prayer oil from commissary to cover the smell. Afterward, make sure you check the toilet so you do not accidentally leave anything behind. Next, if you don't trust your cellie, strip naked so that if he attempts to attack you, you won't trip over your undergarments. Finally, wash your hands with soap after using the bathroom (this may sound like a rule that doesn't need to be said, but some need the reminder).”

— Tutankhamon Waterman (Prison Journalism Project)

“You showed them you weren't afraid.”

— An unnamed 'old-timer' at Buckingham Correctional Center (Prison Journalism Project)

The takeaway

This firsthand account from a long-term prisoner highlights the dehumanizing realities of life in a shared prison cell, from the practical challenges of basic hygiene to the ever-present threat of violence. Yet it also reveals moments of unexpected compassion, underscoring the humanity that can still emerge even in the most confined and desperate of circumstances.