In the prologue, Rod Serling refers to himself as "The Howard Cosell of the Crypt". At the time this episode aired in 1972, Howard Cosell, who was an American sports journalist and author, who was prominent and influential on radio, television and print media from the early 1960s into the mid 1980s, was a household name.
The prison setting is not identified, but a California state flag flies just outside the walls.