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Closing Advice

Interview with Larry, Tawnie and Henry

JM: What else would you want a friend or family member to know if they have a loved one going to this jail?
Larry: yes. Support the inmate. Send him a few bucks occasionally so he can survive a little better. Communication is the key but draw the line if they begin to manipulate or demand. You have to understand what they are going through while in there. It could be a positive experience for them or worse; a negative one and turn them into something worse or even against their family.
Tawnie: Write them letters - getting mail is the one thing that ties you to the outside and means the most because you can hold it in your hands. Spraying it with perfume or cologne would be appreciated too!
Henry: put money in your account so that you have commissary always.get a phone card.apply to be a worker the first day you get in there. apply for laundry, and kitchen. keep busy.ALWAYS.go to church and read books. keep to yourself unless your talking to the big dogs.be a worker, and soak up as much fresh air at yard time as you can.

JM: If somebody knows they will be serving time in this jail what is your advice to them?
Larry: keep to yourself and stay out of trouble as well as understand that your family is not there to cater to you. This is punishment and not suppose to be a vacation. Occupy you mind with positive things while in there. This is a time to think and change.
Tawnie: Be nice to people, but don't give your stuff away. Be polite, respectful and courteous and most of the time, you will be treated the same.
Henry: see above. as soon as you get in to the jail, apply to be moved to the workers side so that you have access to the kitchen and better food and laundry for fresh clothing. those are the biggest WANTS in jail. you have access to those you have a certain amount of power and say. plus people will trade you pretty much whatever you want for fresh clothing. you cant put a price on clean underwear when comparing them to ones that have been used for years and need to be thrown away.

JM: Please list any other jail or rehab facilities you have been to.
Larry: San Quentin (Prison) 1997, 1998 CMC (San Luis Obispo Prison) 2001 Coalinga (Prison) 1998 Santa Clara County Jail 2002 Santa Rita County Jail 1999
Tawnie: Rehab - The Latino Commission in South San Francisco, CA.
Henry: i have been to san mateo county jail, placer county jail, a san francisco jail, and sacramento county jail. i hope to never go back to either.