"English" is a fictional character, but he seems to be loosely based on real-life Alcatraz inmate Joe Carnes. Carnes, a Choctaw Indian, was the prison librarian and helped the men plan their escape. In the exercise yard, he would sit upon the top step, overlooking the yard with Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, "the Black Capone of Harlem":
The two men played chess every Saturday on the top row of the "bleachers," the concrete terraces in the Alcatraz recreation yard that looked like giant steps leading up from the yard to the blank wall and foundation supporting the cellhouse. Inmates used the steps as seats from which they could view the handball courts and softball diamond and, in general, scan the entire recreation yard. The top step was reserved for only the most revered or feared cons, or maybe both. Having earned the privilege of sitting there meant you were always in the sun, if there was any sunshine to be had, compared with sitting on the lower, cold steps, where the sunlight was blocked by the high walls of the yard. From the top step an inmate could see over the walls. There was a panoramic view of San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito.
The top step belonged to Bumpy Johnson. Any con who dared join Bumpy and Joe Carnes up there without Bumpy's approval was foolish. Sooner or later he would receive a severe beating or a knife puncture.
(
Riddle of the Rock, by Don DeNevi, p. 59-60)
In
Escape from Alcatraz, English, the prison librarian, sits on the top step looking over the recreation yard. Morris climbs the steps, passing only black prisoners as he gets closer to the top. One man tries to stop Morris as he attempts to pass him, but English motions that it's okay. Morris continues to the top:
MORRIS: Something special about those steps?
ENGLISH: The higher you sit, the more status you got. So we kind of play "King of the Mountain." Except here we don't play for fun, man.
MORRIS: And you're King?
ENGLISH: Yeah.
(Morris nods, and starts heading down the steps)
ENGLISH: Now I figure there's two reasons why you didn't sit down on my step. Either you're too scared, or you just hate @#*%!&s. Now which is it, boy? You too scared? Hmm?
MORRIS: (Goes back up the steps and sits down beside English) Nah, I just hate @#*%!&s.
English is serving two consecutive life sentences for being found guilty by an all-white jury of killing two white men, although it was really an act of self-defense. English shows a mistrust and prejudice toward white men that is apparent from his first scene. Yet, he grants Morris, still a relatively new prisoner, permission to sit with him at the top of the steps. Why do you think English trusts Morris so quickly and easily? Why do these men get along so well?
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