CountyJail.net

Find Erie County Jail inmates...

Inmates

Interview with Kathy, Cameron, Norm, Arturo and Isidra

JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates? Please give examples to explain why you did or didn't.
Kathy: I did at first as I had to share my cell with a lady that did not want to be very friendly, but we ended up getting along just fine
Cameron: no I'm a easy going guy and I respect everyone I know how to stay out of bad situations and mind my own business and I know a little about the law so people come to me for help
Norm: No, all inmates in my unit where sentenced and low risk classification with a county year or less to serve. Most were minor offenses or drug and alcohol related. No unsentenced, state time prisoners, parole violators, or high risk inmates were allowed to be housed in my block. Easy to get along with inmates because there was plenty of chairs, two televisions, only 40 inmates in the block, and plenty of space.
Arturo: I tried to keep to myself for the most part, my experience was that others in the holding center were just after whatever they could get from you including the nasty meals that were served
Isidra: No I never find it hard to get along with other people because im a nice easy going person. Im always givibg and trying to look out and help other people plus I just enjoy smiling

JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates?
Kathy: I just had to get along with others and be nice and try not to say the wrong thinhs to someone, I stayed out of their way as much as possible, and watched a lot of t.v. made phone calls and talked to people I met in cells next to mine
Cameron: I spent most of my time reading and I was a porter and like I said I mind my business I'm a older guy that has been around the block a few time so I know how to stay out of trouble and the best way to avoid problems is to stay to yourself
Norm: Separate pods and individual cell rooms with locking doors allow inmates to avoid others if they wish. Regular CO crew rotation in each unit to monitor and be familiar with each inmate to avoid issues that may arise allowing inmates and officers to get to know each other over time. Open rec area all day to get air and exercise. Basic inmate behavior to avoid fights was no stealing, avoid arguing, don't gamble or trade what you can't afford, keep clean and the unit clean.
Arturo: I kept to myself and read a lot, I also tried to sleep as much as possible, I was getting up to twelve hours a day sleeping then reading until I could not read anymore, I stayed away from cards an the tv so that there were not issues with other inmates
Isidra: I didn't really have to do anything but be me. Im not a trouble maker. For the most part I talked and joked with every one and read books or watched tv. We also would pkay card games or make up stuff to do. I just tried to make the best out of a bad situation

JM: Were you able to choose an inmate as your cellmate if you knew one? How often would your cellmate(s) change?
Kathy: No I was not able to they had a inmate already in my ell when I arrived there, so I was lucky to have got the one I did, she was nice
Cameron: no you don't you go where you go and if you don't like it you get keep locked most cells are for one but they do have double cells and open dorms
Norm: No, cells were assigned by facility. Same cell for duration. Individual room/pods in my unit. Inmates were allowed to request transfer if needed or desired. Other blocks were open dorm and had bunk mates but in my housing unit each inmate had an individual pod/room that had a desk, bed, toilet, and sink. Very few transfers or changes were made unless an inmate was being released free.
Arturo: there is no choosing anything in jail, you get who is assigned to your cell or for your bunk mate. they change as much as the guards think it is necessary
Isidra: No we werent allowed to choose a roomate because there was only one person to a cell. So that wasn't a issue. We had a choice to switch cells if we needed to but that was only under certain circumstances

Read about time off for good behavior in the Erie County Jail