JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time? Larry: there was church AA meetings and books. Tawnie: One television per dorm was turned on one
channel from 10am - 5pm and then again from 7pm -
10pm. If we were lucky, there would be a
channel change by the CO twice or three times a
day. AA and NA meetings were held 5 times/week.
Religious services were held twice per week.
There was a "library" of four or five bookcases
out in front of the COs desk that you could
select a book from to read. Most people would
play cards as well - they were available to
purchase on commissary. Henry: on the 5th floor, there was a ged program,plenty of
books to read on all floors that circulated often, a
yard to work out whether handball, basketball,
running or whatever.. board games like monopoly,
chess, and playing cards.tv's , chairs, pencils, and
paper to draw, not many windows but, if your someone
who can keep themself entertained you will
appreciated the few things they offer to help you
pass time.
JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details. Larry: competition was fierce and even the TV was turned
down so low that you could not hear it. Tawnie: Generally, the loudest person would catch the
CO's attention to select what channel they would
want to watch. We generally tried to keep the
rule that whichever bunk was assigned to clean
the bathroom that day would be the bunk to
select which channel to watch. Henry: i didnt worry about competition or entertainment
access.usually people are trying to avoid extra
time and punishment so we vote on what to watch or
whoever gets there first , gets to choose unless
they get out voted.simple as that.ive seen a few
arguments over tv stations that got people in
trouble and one some lost good time over little
things like that.especially if its on the working
side and you get kicked out back to the main jail.
JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail? Larry: you can work out in your cell or when you get rec
time but there are no weights to lift. You must do
calestetics. I regularly did pushups. Tawnie: I gained 50 lbs in jail over 7 months. The food
was loaded with sodium, high in carbohydrates
with only one piece of fresh fruit per day. Most
people gain a significant amount of weight. Henry: i have a hard time staying in shape no matter
where im at so no, i didnt. in fact, i was getting
in more shape because there was nothing else to do
and you have to be ready, prepared for anything so
working out is priority 1# on the inside. pushups,
water bags, garbage cans, chairs, we get creative
and it works..
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? Larry: I never got to go outside in new maguire. But in
old maguire I remember that they would let you go
outside on a saturday or sunday. Whichever the
officer preferred that was working that weekend. Tawnie: One hour per week, usually on the weekend each
dorm (one dorm at a time)would be allowed out
onto the "patio" which was a concrete patio with
a chain-linked fence cage around the top,
bordering along side the freeway. Henry: 1 hour a day we were allowed outside on the
regular side of the main jail. in the working
section we were allowed a bit more time out of out
cell because we had earned trust. especially if
there was something to be cleaned, which their
always was..we would have to clean it.( i remember
when we had to clean up a flooded toilet next to
scott petersons room while he was going through
trial. someone did it on purpose thinking he would
be let out of his cell, ( maybe they thought they
could get to him if his door was opened? ) i dont
know..
JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held? Larry: church was offered every sunday but I am a
practicing heathen (non religious) and didnt want
to go to church just to get out of my cell. That
would kinda defeat the purpose of church. Tawnie: Twice per week catholic services came in the
jail - once on Sundays for the eucharist
presentation, and once to have Bible study. One
other Bible study was held one night by women
from a Baptist church. They were small - only 4
or 5 women from each dorm were allowed to
attend. Whoever was in line first in the dorm
got to attend. Henry: the county jail did offer church services which i
attended weekly.we talked, read scripture and shared
stories of our lives, some shared on their current
situation, others chose not too. we prayed for each
other and helped each other get through the madness
without losing hope.