JM: How long was your sentencing for? Marco: 4 months jailtimei and 6 months probation. Juan: 30 years "old law" (meaning I was still eligible
for parole...Virginia did away with parole for any
crimes committed after January 1, 1995). Emilio: Accesory-364 days, 350 days suspended
misdemeanor time served 7 days
1st DUI- 180 days, 140 suspended misd. served 20
days
2nd DUI 364 days, 334 suspended served 25 days
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? Marco: Yes. It was pretty much a drunk tank. It was
about 10:30 in the morning. I was in there from
10:30am to 12:30pm. There's no clock. Juan: Very briefly. They took me back to my cell block
very quickly. I was brought out later that evening
to talk to a counselor to see if I had any suicidal
thoughts. I didn't, so they put me back in my cell
block. Emilio: There are 3 levels after intake into the jail:
1: A holding cell where you are put with 20 or
so other inmates from new arrests to transfers
and even those coming down to court on the day
of their trial. This is by far the most
unpleasant part of the experience. Many people
going through withdrawals, very agitated ready
to fight, only eat horrible sandwhiches and
bright lights on 24 hours.
2. After 24-48 hours and being classified you
are moved to "DT's" very small old dirty units
with 3-4 rows of cells on either side and 2
people to each cell. Here is where you will get
your first hot meals and an opportunity to
shower.
3. After another 24-72 hours you are moved to
your permanent unit. For non violent offenders
you get sent to the "new side" or for short
sentences to PRC more freedom and comfort in
both options than those doing real time. If you
are considered a violent offender you may land 2
places, either B floor which is the worst place
to be housed comfort wise, it is one floor up
from DT's but the space is equally confined and
old. Being on B floor is doing pretty hard time.
Most offenders beg to get sent to prison rather
than serve lengthy sentences in this unit. 3rd
floor is much more open and spacious but if you
are there you are with "the big boys" murder,
robbery, rape suspects and convicts. Drug
traffickers etc. 3rd floor has several units
segregated from one another but monitored from a
centralized command station. 4th floor is
reserved for disciplinary or lockdown inmates.
Youalso can land in the hole or psych ward but
don't know much about what those places entail.