They were taken to ten permanent relocation centers in isolated areas such as deserts and swamps. Each camp had an administration building, school, hospital, store, post office, and mess hall. Food shortages were common so the internees raised livestock and grew fruits and vegetables. Doctors and nurses were given special treatment. Fresh, healthier foods in larger portions was reserved for them.
Families slept in barracks that were 6 one room apartments. Each family only got one apartment with a wood burning stove, a light hanging from the ceiling, and a cot for each person. The mattresses were made of hay. There were no closets, cupboards, or really any furniture. The roof was usually made of tar. They didn't have plumbing in the barracks. They had to walk to another building to shower, go to the restroom, and wash their clothes.
Search lights swept the ground. They were guarded by eight towers with by soldier with guns. If you tried to escape you would be killed if caught. Twice a day all the internees were counted and sometimes searches were done to make sure they didn't have things like cameras and radios.
People tried to make the best of the situation. They started schools and churches. People enjoyed watching and playing sports. Sometimes they even had dances and talent shows. When the people had free time they played games like hide and seek but still never got too close the fences or searchlights. If the Japanese got too close to the fence they were shot and the guards said they were trying to escape.
Here are some interviews and quotes from people who lived in the camps
Families slept in barracks that were 6 one room apartments. Each family only got one apartment with a wood burning stove, a light hanging from the ceiling, and a cot for each person. The mattresses were made of hay. There were no closets, cupboards, or really any furniture. The roof was usually made of tar. They didn't have plumbing in the barracks. They had to walk to another building to shower, go to the restroom, and wash their clothes.
Search lights swept the ground. They were guarded by eight towers with by soldier with guns. If you tried to escape you would be killed if caught. Twice a day all the internees were counted and sometimes searches were done to make sure they didn't have things like cameras and radios.
People tried to make the best of the situation. They started schools and churches. People enjoyed watching and playing sports. Sometimes they even had dances and talent shows. When the people had free time they played games like hide and seek but still never got too close the fences or searchlights. If the Japanese got too close to the fence they were shot and the guards said they were trying to escape.
Here are some interviews and quotes from people who lived in the camps
We saw all these people behind the fence, hanging onto the
wire, and looking out because they were anxious to know who was coming in. But
I will never forget the shocking feeling that human beings were behind this
fence like animals [crying]. And that we ourselves were going to also lose our freedom and
walk inside of that gate and find ourselves…cooped up there…when the gates were
shut, we knew that we had lost something that was very precious; we knew that we were
no longer free."
Mary Tsukamoto
Not only was the evacuation wrong, but Japanese Americans were and are loyal
Americans."
President Gerald R. Ford