Interview with Kathy, Cameron, Norm, Arturo and Isidra
JM: How many different blocks were there? Kathy: I am not to sure where I was there was 4 blocks Cameron: not really sure but they are quite a few Norm: At least 12 different units in the facility.
Blocks broken down by risk levels, offenses,
gender, and medical issues. Sentenced inmates
housed on one side of the facility run by
correctional officers and the unsentenced inmates
were housed on the other side run by the county
sheriff dept. Arturo: I don't know how many there are Isidra: Too many to reall count probably about 20
JM: Did they have names? If so, what were they? Kathy: Not that I know of I was in block c Cameron: yes they did I can't remember them all but there
was alpha, delta bravo lema and so on Norm: Names where military call sign letters from A
(alpha) through Z(zulu). Also blocks referred to
as either sheriff side or correctional officer side. Arturo: I do not know the names for the blocks of the jail Isidra: Yeah they had names ALPHA.. BRAVO.. CHARLIE.. DELTA..
ECHO.. FOX
JM: Which types of inmates were housed in the different blocks? Kathy: there was inmates for pety theif, one for
dangerous offenders, some for more serious
crimes, other then that I am not to sure as I
was in my own area Cameron: they were all mixed together state inmates parole
violators people going to court as I said they
put you where they put you but it should not be
that way Norm: Women housed in two separate blocks. Under 19
housed in a minors block. Unsentenced housed in
multiple open dorms with bunks on the sheriff
side. Sentenced inmates housed based on
classification levels of risk on the correctional
officers side. Sentence inmate broken down by
prior record, parole status, medical issues, and
prison behavior record. Arturo: I was in with everyone no segregation, there were
drug dealers, thieves, rapist, murders, dwi
offenders and just about everything you can
imagine, most were open about why they were there
the sex offenders lied to avoid a beating Isidra: The only people who had a special" section to be in was
minors.. people on mental watch..and medical.. which may
have been people with severe mental illness.. or physically
disabled whether temporary or permanent
JM: What do you remember being the nicest and worst parts about the different blocks? Kathy: The nicest block was the one I was in, as there
was not any fights, but as we went down the
blocks there were more fights going on in that
area, and lots of people screaming at each
other, guards were always being called to a
certain block every few mins Cameron: well in the open dorms you have to deal with
everyone in the pods and cells you can just lock
in and stay to yourself and there are some
officers who think it's their job to make your
stay as hard as they can and just dealing with
people that you don't like being around Norm: Open dorms were awful. They smelled, had few
toilets and showers that were always dirty or
broken. Not enough space, high risk of stealing
personal property, lack of phones and extremely
cold and uncomfortable bunks. The pods on the
sentenced inmate side were much better. The best
part was having an individual cell with a sink,
toilet, and desk all to myself. A door to lock and
close for privacy. Also the pod housing units had
enough space, low number of inmates, plenty of
phones and the unit was kept clean. Some pods were
more violent or dirtier but my unit was basically
the lowest risk inmates thus it seemed like an
adult forced daycare facility. Arturo: not thing was good about jail, I did have plenty
of time to read, the worst was just listening to
all the nonsense going on around me. I saw drug
deals going down and future drug deals being made
when the individuals were released, I witnessed
people getting extorted for there breakfast Isidra: Truthfully their wasn't too much good things about it. The food
was horrible, it was dirty, the guards are rude and unattentive.
The shwers hardly work and there is always bugs in there. I
guess the best part was actually having one dept. That actually
took the time to attend our needs. And being able to talk and
communicate with people.