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San Diego County Jail

1173 Front St
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 615-2700

Interview with Tim, Bob, Peter, Iris, Pat, Elsie, Kathleen, George and Amber

JM: How long was your sentencing for?
Tim: I didn't have to do any jail time. A fine was levied against me and I had to attend AA meetings as well a three month alcohol class. Plus, my license was suspended for a year, except for school and work. Plus, I think I had probation for three years.
Bob: a county year which works out to 8 months and 20 days.
Peter: there was no sentence.just 3 days in jail.
Iris: I had received time served for the 2 weeks spent there.
Pat: 365 days a county year
Elsie: Originally, ten years ago, three years, but I testified against a prison guard and he retaliated falsely charging me and presenting me with more time. Then my parole was wrongfully violated. My dog could have had me returned to prison, it was that easy. Like falling off a log.
Kathleen: the entire day. woke up at 4am. spoke with the judge around 2pm. left court house about 4pm
George: I was sentenced to one month jail time, but I had time served so it went by fast.
Amber: I WAS SENTENCED RIGHT AWAY

JM: Did you spend time in a holding cell after your sentencing? If so, what was that like? If you didn't where did they they take you instead?
Tim: No, I did not spend time in a holding cell after my sentencing. I was excused from the court once I paid my fine. I had already served my night in jail, from the night that I was arrested.
Bob: you will spend time in holding cells whenever you leave the Module (your "cell block"). (ex. going to medical, going to court) They are a real bummer they are dirty crowded no comfortable place to sit or lay down and a toilet/sink combo that everyone in the holding cell shares. some courts like Vista have televisions in the holding cells and will play movies. I saw (hitch,collateral damage, barbershop,barbershop 2,wedding crashers,blow, and some others i dont remember)
Peter: ya 3 days in a holding cell.i didnt like it. it didnt like staying there. i felt there was no need to be there. it was i two man cell, but i was the only one in it.
Iris: Yes I was at the downtown court which I guess was built way back when so your just in a cement cage with 10 to 15 other women and a toilet
Pat: On everyday you have court they take you to a cell with about 20 other people and you sit there almost the whole day until you are seen in court. There is a tv in the holding cell but tensions are high in there because people are worried about their own cases. It is best to keep to yourself I have found. It is a very long day each day you have to go to court, some people just sign the first deal that is offered because they hate going to court so much even though it is a mistake to sign the first deal offered.
Elsie: Originally, no, I spent several hours on a bench outside of the holding cells. It was subterranean with insufficient lighting and very frightening. From there, I was brought to jail.
Kathleen: we were in a holding cell all day long. first when they gather us all together at las colinas where we eat breakfast. then we get chained up for the bus to be dropped off at our court houses. soon after we're separated from felonies and misdemeanors and then we wait. everyone waits till everyone's done then the bus come gets us.
George: I was put in a holding cell for about an hour or two after sentencing,but I was happy knowing I would soon be free to go home to my family.
Amber: I WAS RETURNED TO THE HOLDING TANK I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE OTHERS TO BE THROUGH. I WAS GIVEN A BROWN BAG LUNCH WITH 2 SANDWICHES MILK AND A COOKIE AND AN APPLE. WE WATCHED MOVIES THROUGH THE BARS DURING THE DAY AND HAD 1 OPEN TOILET IN TANK.

Have you ever wondered what life is like behind locked doors in San Diego County Jail? Maybe you drive by on your way to work everyday, or maybe you or someone you love is facing some time in this facility. Either way, you have come to the right place to find the answers to your questions.

We have interviewed former inmates of San Diego County, who have shared the ins and outs of life inside this jail. You can access their interviews by clicking on links to the left. Take a few minutes to read their stories and discover what life is really like in the San Diego County Jail.

Other Inmates
It can be difficult being forced to live with strangers for an extended period of time. Each jail has its own unique culture and set of unwritten "rules" and in San Diego County it is very important to be aware of these unofficial rules.

If you are unfamiliar with the inmate politics and rules, the best thing to do is ask someone to explain it to you, and let them know you are new. In addition to this, it is also important in general to be respectful to others to avoid conflict.

Getting Out Early
To deal with problems of overcrowding, many jails are set up to release inmates earlier than their sentenced release dates. San Diego County releases almost every sentenced inmate early unless they have serious behavioral problems during their stay. For a year sentence, inmates typically get out right around the 9 month mark.

Meals
San Diego County provides inmates with three meals per day. Unfortunately, the food doesn't rate too highly. One inmate commented that he would be ashamed to feed it to starving people in a third world country.

Some of the meals that are more tolerable than others are the spaghetti (tastes like overcooked Spaghettio's), burritos (tastes like 7-11 microwave burritos) and tacos (compared to 99 cent tacos you can buy at fast food joints). Inmates who have money on their accounts can buy snacks from the jail commissary once a week to supplement the food the jail provides.


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