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Leisure Time

Interview with JD

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
JD: Book carts came around several times a week. Inmates were allowed several books and a copy of the local newspaper The Athens Banner Herald was given to each POD daily. Card games were a common past time. Televsion was a priviledge and was dependant on the POD's behavior to staff and other inmates. Only certain television shows were allowed including news programs and other informative shows.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
JD: Yes, competition for entertainment consisted of who would read what sections of the single copy of the newspaper. The more "aggressive" inmates would always take the paper first and it would be passed on in a almost deterministic fashion. The paper would arrive in the morning after breakfast, and I would get to read it several hours later after the majority of the inmates had read their bit.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
JD: No, Several inmates and I formed a workout group consisting of pushups and resistance excersizes using our own or each others body weight. Also the shower facility offered shower curtain bars that served as pullup bars for the inmates.

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?
JD: One time in 20 days. We were allowed outside for 30 minutes in a completely enclosed area. There was a basketball goal but we were not given a ball to play with because the staff said it could cause a potential fight. So we were only able to walk in circles around the perimeter of the caged in area located in the center of the jail facility.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
JD: No, but religious reading material was allowed to be brought and transfered to inmates by visitors on a case by case basis, depending on clearance from jail authorities.

Read about visitor policies in the Clarke County Jail