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Vanderburgh County Jail

3500 North Harlan Avenue
Evansville, IN 47711-2336
(812) 421-9865

Interview with Mathew

JM: How long was your sentencing for?
Mathew: 6 months.

JM: Did you spend time in a holding cell after your sentencing? If so, what was that like? If you didn't where did they they take you instead?
Mathew: Yes. It wasn't very pleasant. There were 10-15 guys in there. It was concrete, it was cold. They would give you a blanket to go to bed at 9pm and take the blanket away at 6 am when they served breakfast. You had breakfast like everyone else but for the other meals you got bologna sandwiches. I was in there for 3 days.

If you or somebody you know is heading to the Vanderburgh County Jail you probably want to know what to expect. The links on the left lead to interviews from ex-inmates of Vanderburgh County who share information about what life inside the jail is really like.

Holding Cell
When you first arrive to this jail, you will most likely be put in a holding cell for up to a few days. This may not be a very pleasant experience. There are often 10-15 guys in the cell with you. It is all concrete and cold.

At 9pm they give blankets to the inmates to sleep with, but they take the blanket away at 6am when breakfast is served. While you are in holding, you will get the same breakfast that other inmates in the prison get, but for lunch and dinner, they serve only bologna sandwiches. The good news is that being in a holding cell is only temporary.

Recreational Activities
The Vanderburgh County Jail has a library. On Saturdays, inmates are able to check out 2-3 books for the week. Inmates can also order books off the Chaplain's list for free. Church services are offered one time per week.

TV's are available in the pods, one per pod. Inmates are generally allowed to go outside everyday, weather permitting. Inmates do a lot of push ups, and some lift weights by putting books in pillow cases. Be careful though, because if you get caught doing this with the books they will most likely be taken away.

Food
The food served in Vanderburgh County has been described as "not horrible, but not enough." Portion sizes are small and leave many inmates hungry between meals. Commissary is available for inmates to order as long as they have money on their account.

Advice to Friends and Family
If you are a friend or family member of an inmate in this jail, and if you have the means, make sure your loved one has money on their books so they won't be hungry all the time. Also, mail is handed out to inmates every night, and it is a big deal to the inmates. Write your loved one often. Doing these things will do a lot to help your loved one get through their time in jail.

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