JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates? Please give examples to explain why you did or didn't. Henry: Getting along with inmates was very hard most of
the time. Often I believe that the
classification office did a terrible job of
directing inmates upon induction to the jail.
Many inmates with misdemeanor charges were
housed with inmates who were of high felony
charge levels. There were also people who were
clearly mentally disturbed who were housed
with "general population", and opened them up to
minipulation. Bob: Actually the inmates that I interacted with were
quite friendly and helpful. It should be known
that I was in general population (The "B-Side"),
for only the first day of my incarceration and
then transferred into the "Drug Dorm", which is a
program for inmates with drug and/or alcohol
problems so it is my understanding that I was
vary fortunate to be there rather then in the
general population. Cory: Yes, mostly because other inmates are a lot crazy
and I was not that kind of person. Too many of them
liked being in jail or were used to going in & out
like it was nothing.
JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates? Henry: There was no possible of avoiding a fight or
conflict with anyone. you fight your own
battles, and there is absolutely no safety.
Seeking refuge by direction of staff was frowned
upon and nearly always resulted with time in
isolation/ lockdown. Bob: Obviously being respectful and courteous is a big
help. With many people locked up together in
close confines and with people potentially facing
years of incarceration it is advisable to respect
your cellmates - keep your area clean - know when
someone wants to be left alone - avoid gossip -
but also stand up for yourself. I heard that if
you are involved in an altercation while at the
jail and if the person you fight wants to press
charges that you can receive a 10 year sentence
so that kept the fights to a minimum. Cory: I had to keep quiet to myself. Even people who
tried to make friends with me I had to shut them
down and not talk much b/c I had seen too many
cases where someone said they were another persons
friend and then stole from them or had to fight
them b/c they got to comfortable and began to
disrespect them. Trust no one.
JM: Were you able to choose an inmate as your cellmate if you knew one? How often would your cellmate(s) change? Henry: You were never able to choose who your bunk or
cellmate was. Bob: By "choose an inmate", I will assume you mean to
choose your cellmate? If I understand the
question correctly, the answer is "Technically,
Yes". I say "technically", because you can submit
a request to the Deputies but I doubt they would
honor that request as it would be extra paperwork
for them because they identify you by your
cell/bunk number (in addition to inmate id). Cory: No, they dont let nobody choose inmates. Cellmates
changed randomly. Sometimes once a month, sometimes
one every 2 weeks, or every week even. Just whenever
they felt like it. which is good in my opinion