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Leisure Time

Interview with Jonathan and Mike

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Jonathan: Your leisure time is spent on the unit. There is a small recreation yard outside that is fenced in and also cover by a fence. Out there you can play basketball, handball, lift weights, and there seats, and two phones out there. Besides that, recreation is inside with two tv's, tables for cards. There is also a gymnasium. But Dedham is overcrowded, and the gym is being used as a unit, so there are bunk beds in the gym now.
Mike: Weight machine, yard, pull up bar, tv and tables for cards or chess, books in the library or you can have them sent in. No radios in this jail which sucks a lot. You work out play cards or hand ball and or watch tv or read. or take a computer class or other course.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
Jonathan: I didn't get into that at all, I read when I'm in jail. But it usually was agreed upon that one of the tv's was sports, the other shows or movies. When I was in Dedham, the Bruins were in the playoffs, and stanley cup. So that was a no brainer.
Mike: I didn't have any problems but the activities are limited. Only so many people can play hand ball. I mostly worked out Yes you have to share the weight machine and pull up bar, and the tv there is generally only 1 or 2 per unit, but I wouldn't describe the competition as Fierce, most people were reasonable and willing to give everyone a turn.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Jonathan: I did. You can get lazy in there. You're not getting a lot of protein in your diet, and the meals don't provide you with the energy to train for a 10 round fight, but it also should prevent you from getting too fat. And for the most part, people don't smoke. So it keeps your lungs clean.
Mike: No just the opposite I got into better shape than I have ever been in, as there isn't much else to do, though everyone doesn't get into shape anyone can.

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?
Jonathan: I'd walk around the unit, just do laps. Outside, you could play hoop, jog around the yard, handball, toss a football, shadow box. People do push-ups in their cells....sit-ups.
Mike: Everyone gets the option of going outside for at least an hour a day, some units get more time out, I think on average I was outside for 3-4 hours a day. You can play hand ball or use the weight machine or pull up bar. When I couldn't go out I would do pushups in my cell.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Jonathan: The jail offers church services for many different religions. I didn't attend these services, but a pastor, priest, or what have you comes from the outside.
Mike: Yes, I never attended, I think they were several time a week, no weekend services. But they had daily or every other day services.

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