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Leisure Time

Interview with Ben and Katrina

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Ben: We had TV, we had yard time. You could also get a deck of cards if you wanted or dominoes.
Katrina: Each pod rotated on time outside. I called it the Concrete Birdcage cause it was just a square in between buildings. There was also a TV, plus you could buy a deck of cards. If somebody got out, they might leave the cards behind.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
Ben: Sometimes it would get to the point that people were going to get into a fight over the TV but it never went all the way. Usually we all voted on what to watch.
Katrina: The TV was on the same time as the phones, once the pods were clearn. Whoever did clean for that day got charge of the remote unless there was something special on like The Wizard of Oz or Ten Commandments.... something we all wanted to watch.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Ben: Not really. I worked out all the time.
Katrina: Yes because sometimes is was too hot to even go outside to do anything. Plus the food that give you is all starch and carbs.

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?
Ben: After the lock down we could go out to the yard from 9:30 til 6 every day.
Katrina: 2 to 3 times a week and only an hour at a time unless it was too hot then you just didn't bother.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Ben: Not really church that I recall but we had bible study. It was organized by the inmates and sometimes we had it in a cell or downstairs in the common room.
Katrina: They came in two or three times a week. The pods rotated when they got services. More like bible study with volunteers from the outside.

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