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Leisure Time

Interview with Tom, Frank and Ashlee

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Tom: There is a t.v. the phone playing cards chess and similar games. You get to go to recreational yard which is outside and has basketball volleyball and handball as well as dip and pull up bars. You are not able to go out very often but it is really nice when you do
Frank: TV. Yard about 2-3 times a week for various amounts of time. A book cart could be requested. There is church at least once a week. Not much.
Ashlee: They have different types but I don't know if you would say it helps pass the time cause it is still in jail. You could request to go to law library if available. Or you could go to the different programs that were available to inmates. But these programs were just inside the jail but in a comference room.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
Tom: No it was pretty regular. There was plenty of stuff for everybody.
Frank: It was very kickback where I was at, fortunately, and we would always vote on what to watch on TV and everyone got a relatively fair share, or got to watch one thing they wanted on TV. Though I guess in other tanks there'd be one shot caller and you would just have to watch what he watched or throw down. Just depends on the other inmates that are with you.
Ashlee: I don't know what you would consider entertainment in jail. But what ever activity was going on, we had the choice of going or staying. Most of the inmates would go just to get out of their cell. There is no competition against inmates. We are given the choice of going or staying in the cell.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Tom: No I myself work out fanatically while I am in jail. There is plenty of opportunity for anyone to stay in shape. It all depends on the individual and how much effort he or she puts into it. Anyone in jail can stay in great shape if they so desire.
Frank: No way, I got stronger than I was on entry! Even with no equipment or the need to go to the yard, there are lots of excercises you can do, Just ask people. There is always someone that has a regiment that you can look to for inspiration on how to stay in shape.
Ashlee: No because I pretty much worked out everyday. Plus I made sure that I just didn't eat and sleep all the time. So everyday I made sure I had some type of exercise or stretching of my muscles.

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: ! or 2 times per week for a total of 3 to 6 hours
Frank: 2-3 times a week for an hour at least, though sometimes longer if the cop is cool or they forget about you. The Max yard is really small, and all you can do is walk circles, or play handball. If you stay inside you can do pushups, situps, run in place. You can also risk getting in minor trouble by making waterbags for weight, or tying your sheet on the bars and doing pullups.
Ashlee: We usually went outside about 3 times a week for at least an hour each time. Most of girls just walk and talk the whole time out there or some would do invidual workouts by themselves. If you didn't want to go out, then you just in and still can work out in your cell.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Tom: Yes. I never went so I cant say what they were like. It was held in a little room on the main hallway of the jail. They had about an hour or so once a week or maybe twice
Frank: Yes there is church at least once a week. In the Max tanks it was Fridays and Sundays, though not always. Fridays was usually more laid back church because it was Pastor Larry, and you would watch movies like Passion of the Christ or see little presentations, or he would just tell stories or sing a little bit and its cool. Sunday church changed pastors every time and it was usually very stricter and more "religiousy". They are usually held in the evening, like 7pm or later, though it would change sometimes.
Ashlee: Yes, they would be held every other week. Which sometimes they would only come once a month. The church services were held in the conference room in the jail. I found it very interesting.

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