Internees lived in uninsulated barracks furnished only with cots and coal-burning stoves. Residents used the shared bathroom and laundry facilities, but hot water was usually limited. The camps were surrounded by barbed-wire fences patrolled by armed guards who had instructions to shoot anyone who tried to leave.
There was a lot to do—the people didn’t just sit around. There were separate farms for cattle, pigs, poultry, and vegetables, and workshops of various sorts—sewing, machining, and printing. Naturally, there was a medical center and a large cafeteria and kitchens. There was also a Catholic church and a Buddhist temple.
There were educational and social events such as concerts and dances—the camp had enough musicians in it to provide music. The high school had a football team, although they could only play against themselves one time. Another group visited from elsewhere and got beaten 33–0. The Japanese Americans put all their pent-up frustration into that one game.