Bunro Sakaino Concentration Camp Diary

March 27 (Saturday)

I attended the farewell gathering hosted by K-1 Area volunteers for us who are scheduled to be transferred held at 6:30 p.m. in the mess hall. Mr. Takeoka is the emcee, and coordinator leader Nagamatsu gave a farewell speech. Mr. Okano from Hawaii gave a thank you speech on behalf of the ones bound to the center, and I gave a speech on behalf of the single folks. We moved on to the performances, and Mr. Momoi comically led the show as the emcee. About 150 people attended, and we remained on our seats after the gathering for the representative meeting report held today by Mr. Matsunaga. He reported that inspectors recently discovered there is a letter hidden in a cigarette package sent as a gift by someone outside of the camp. The penalty is five years of imprisonment and a payment of five thousand dollars, and it is facing prosecution. An inspector noticed when a recent visitor of his tried to deliver a letter by slipping it under his bottom. Spoons and knives stolen from the mess halls were discovered during luggage inspections for those who are being transferred.

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Stricter surveillance over all aspects would be called for with these incidents keeping happening, allowing less freedom for the internees. He told us that we received a friendly warning from Director Weaver to remind us to fully understand how it works.