Interview with Jessica, Joe Smith, Rod, Ashley, Ben and Jade
JM: What else would you want a friend or family member to know if they have a loved one going to this jail? Jessica: JUST BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE OK. THEY WILL BE
TAKEN CARE OF. THEY WILL BE FEED WELL. IF THERE
WERE ANY BEHAVIOR/SUICIDAL CONCERNS THEY WILL BE
MONITORED VERY CLOSELY. IT WAS A VERY CLEAN
FACILITY. THE EMPLOYEES WERE FRIENDLY. Joe Smith: That it gets extremely lonely and that there
aren't any real opportunities for stimulation.
You are treated like an animal and you are made
to feel as though you are less than human. Rod: Ramsey county is the worst. The offers belittle,
cuss, call bad names and are so lazy Ashley: I WENT TO THIS JAIL AFTER BEING ARRESTED FOR A
WARRANT OUTTA OF ANOTHER COUNTY. I WAS 8 MONTHS
PREGNANT AT THE TIME. I SAT THERE FOR 4 DAYS
WAITING TO BE PICKED UP. I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY FORM
OF A BRA. I WAS LACTATING MILK ALL OVER MYSELF. I
ALSO HAD TO SLEEP ON A MATTRESS ON THE FLOOR DUE
TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF INMATES AT THE TIME. MY
ROOMMATE WAS NOT PREGNANT AND GOT TO SLEEP ON THE
BED. I FOUND THIS TO BE ONE OF THE WORST JAIL
EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE
DONE TIME IN SEVERAL JAILS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS
PLACE WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH THE CLOTHING WELFARE
OR SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN. Ben: that it is going to be hell. and that even if they
are upset with that person that they should give as
much support as they can to prevent depression Jade: To support them through mail and visits. Do not
just cut them off this os a time to speak life,
if you desert them nine out of ten times, others
will support and recruit them for more crimes.
JM: If somebody knows they will be serving time in this jail what is your advice to them? Jessica: STAY OUT OF TROUBLE WHILE IN JAIL. THIS ONLY
MAKES YOUR TIME A MORE ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE WHILE
IN JAIL. COOPERATE WITH EVERYONE. REMEMBER WHY
YOU WERE PUT IN JAIL IN THE FIRST PLACE AND VOW
TO NEVER DISOBEY THE LAW AGAIN, OR YOU WILL
ALWAYS END UP BACK IN THE SAME PLACE,
JAIL....LOOSING WHAT YOU CALL "FREEDOM" Joe Smith: Avoid going to jail. And if you do go, remember
just how bad it was. Rod: I f u get into trouble and end up in ramsey
county step back and bend overbackwards for them
cuz they will do nothing but make life miserable Ben: make sure you get some money put on phone time and
make sure you got some money for food otherwise you
will starve and you will go crazy no being able to
talk to loved ones Jade: To0 mind there business and to have tough skin,
this is not the day camp. It is easy to find one
self on more lock down time or even facing more
charges,
JM: Please list any other jail or rehab facilities you have been to. Ben: I have been to treatment and even though it was
locked down it was much better than jail. Jade: Black hawk county jail, Iowa. Washington County
Jail, MN