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MARCHING POWDER

At almost the same time as I received notification of the new charges against me, the other prisoners received the best news they'd ever had. A new law - Extra Muro - was introduced, which halved the sentences of most prisoners in Bolivia's overcrowded penitentiary system. Many became eligible for immediate release.

Ricardo came straight to my room and opened the door without even knocking, using the spare key I had given him. He had come to return it.

'Did you hear the news?' he said excitedly, turning on the light and slapping the daily newspaper on my table. It was open at the page of the article. 'We're out of here, inglés.'

Ricardo and Jack the Mexican were two of the lucky ones. And if it hadn't been for my new charges, I would have been leaving with them. Technically, my sentence was now over. In fact, owing to an administration error, my release papers had already been signed. However, since I had new charges, I was back in the same position as when I first arrived at San Pedro - stuck in prison until my hearing started, with no right to bail. And this time, I was innocent.

'What's wrong?' said Ricardo, producing a small packet of cocaine. 'We should be dancing. Let's put on some music.' It was the only time I ever saw Ricardo sniff more than two puntitos in one sitting. He did three to start off with. He jumped around and hugged me. I couldn't spoil his mood by telling him my own news right then. I did three puntitos too, then one more for good luck.

Apart from me, the only people who weren't celebrating the Extra Muro announcement were the poorest inmates. Being released wasn't automatic. Before having your release papers stamped and finalised by the administration, every prisoner had to pay las costas del estado - 'the costs of the state'. Until these inmates had enough money to pay for the water and electricity they had consumed during their imprisonment, they weren't allowed to leave.

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I was very sad that Ricardo was due to be released. I pretended to be happy for him, but I didn't want him to go. Ricardo had been like a father to me and I didn't know what I was going to do without him. He had also been extremely popular with everyone in San Pedro. The night before he left, we held a huge farewell party for him. Most of us