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Leisure Time

Interview with Tom and Barbara

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Tom: There are 3 or 4 t.v.s on every module the offer educational programs. There is a small recreation yard on each module. There is a library with plenty of books on each module plus a large main library for the entire building. You can play cards or chess. There is not a whole lot to do but there is stuff to do if you try hard enough.
Barbara: I went to the library a lot to check out and read books. I would watch tv or exercise in my cell. I learned to draw when I was in custody so I would draw greeting cards for family and friends. I had family send in correspondence courses and would study and do homework

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
Tom: Each race or gang pretty much has there own phones, tvs and tables so the competition is usually only for those who do not belong to a gang or who are timid. If you are not in a gang or are weak it could be hard to use the phone or watch tv. There are all kinds of inmate established rules and regulations enforced by the gangs which makes it really rough on those not affiliated
Barbara: The competition was usually fierce. The long timers, hard timers and repeat offenders usually ruled the tv and decided what shows would run and when. They would also take what little seating was around the the (chairs and a sofa)so those inmates that were not their friends or in their clicque didnt watch tv

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Tom: There is not much time to exercise out of your own cell unless you are on the trustee module or a worker of some sort on a regular module. However you can pretty much exercise at will in your own cell. It is not hard to stay in shape if you have the will and desire to do so.
Barbara: I had a hard time staying in shape bc there was not a yard to walk, run or exercise in

JM: How often did you get to go outside? What did you do outside if you were allowed to? If you were not allowed to go outside what could you do for exercise?
Tom: On regular modules you get to go outside for an hour to 3 a day depending on how cool the deputy working on your module is. T module you are pretty much allowed out of your cell all day, whether it be working at your job or recreational.
Barbara: I was never allowed outside bc there was no yard. I could only do exercises and stretching in my cell bc other inmates and staff didnt want you do it in the inside common area

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Tom: Church is held on each module weekly. You can also send a request to see the chaplain at any time and as schedule permits they will come talk to you. Usually there will be a sign up list to request to go to church and it will be held either in a vacant room on the perimeter of the module or on the recreation yard
Barbara: There were outside organizations that offered services on Sunday. They were usually very crowded and loud bc of inmate talking to each other

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