the man was standing in a corner, simply minding his own business..watching as you, just like everyone else here, being thrown into 'maximum security' as he was most likely in here for being an ex-cop in the past so....safety reasons. He had a lot more freedom in here than you did, that's for sure, as he minded his own business unless spoken to for the most part.

". . ."

..you could simply try to approach him, he doesn't really seem the super 'approachable' type, but who knows.?