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Leisure Time

Interview with Nancy and Bryce

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Nancy: Trustees must do "jobs" outside of their pod.Library cart comes each/wednesday.Inmates are very creative with hair-braiding,hygiene(plucking eyebrows w/string),reading a lot.Exercise unit in each pod.A lot of inmates will walk the inside perimeter of the pod and up&down the stairs as exercise.Everyone looks forward to every-other-day mail distribution &weekly canteen distribution.
Bryce: Their was a basketball hoop outside we were able to use, we played wall ball a lot. Lots of inmate played card games like spades, or poker, not gambling was allowed. They also had certain class you could take at certain times during the week like Spanish Classes, or GED Classes, as well as a religious service.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
Nancy: Library cart allows inmates to check-out up-to 5 books/weekly.2 tvs in trustee pod,each on different channel(majority vote for which channel on each tv wins),no volume,must read close-captioning to watch.If general pod volume became to loud(due to loud voices or arguments) deputies will turn off tv's&phones w/out advanced notice.(inmate-may-spend-$2.76to-call-out&phone could-be-disconnected-2mins later).
Bryce: Competition was fierce as far as the TV went. We normally took a vote but everyone never really agreed. As far as the basketball, wall ball, and card games went. We all took turns, and made sure everyone got to participate. Sometimes the deputy would put on the TV what he wanted to watch instead.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Nancy: Food is flavorless & unrecognizable,not much weight-gained due-to consumption.Most time spent laying on bunk reading or sitting reading the tv's.
Bryce: Yes, they basically starve you. In the 15 days I was there I lost 15 pounds. One pound a day, and i'm a small skinny guy. Not healthy.

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?
Nancy: Outside yard was available to trustee pod 3x's in 2/months I was there & no basketball, volleyballs,weights available. Inmates-talk,enjoying fresh-air,or walk wall perimeter for exercise.
Bryce: They had a outside court area which we were allowed to go out at certain hours of the day for approximately 6 hours a day it was available to us.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Nancy: Catholic services offered every sunday. non-denominational services every tuesday. Inmates can request one-on-one chaplin services via "electronic kites". Free take-home-bibles-upon-request.
Bryce: They held a Tuesday and Sunday night religious class, you had to sign up the week before. A volunteer would show up and teach us about the bible.

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