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Interview with Blunt, Charles, Patrick, Ryan, TJ and U.N. Owen

JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates? Please give examples to explain why you did or didn't.
Blunt: No! I'm not a person to start fights. Many of the inmates were very cool, and chill.Thank goodness I didnt run into any beef or drama.
Charles: I only got into fights in the 63 precint holding cell and in Central Booking. I did not see any other fights there. However, In C95 there was a riot in the Library. I was not there but some other prisoners said they saw a guy get his face slashed. Face slashing is big in Rikers. I remember I saw a black man with his cheek badly cut in the C95 infirmary. I also remember sitting in the return from court bull pen in Rikers and seeing a black man take out a single edge razor and slash another black mans cheek. There was blood everywhere, the guards searched everyone and made sure nothing got thrown down the toilet. I said nothing. (I am 48 yr old white man) Gang colors are big in rikers. No one was allowed in the yard wearing red. Red was for Bloods, Blue for Crips and White for Hispanics. These colors totally confused me and I was afraid to go anywhere because of these colors. I did not have many cloths to wear. Tattoos are also big in jail. I saw one white Irish guy from Hells kitchen give a big black guy a back tattoo. I forget what the tattoo said.
Patrick: at first because it was my first time incarcerated so i didnt know how to adapt myself
Ryan: no my personality is real good and I am a people person.
TJ: Yes
U.N. Owen: If you know how to behave - if you know the (REAL!) rules of jail, then, you'll be fine. I'm a skinny, white guy, and, everyone who knows me always ASSUMES I'll be hurt, or worse, and, even when I've gotten to Rikers, I've been in an intake cell-or-two, with some big bad-ass, making threats at me, when someone'll offer to 'help' protect me. Ive NEVER had a problem. I know how to (physically) take care of myself VERY well, and so, I let them know, if you wanna do something, fine - I'll even let the other person go first - take their best shot. Only once did I have to pop someone. Knocked him out cold with one tap on his jaw. It's not your size, it's what yuu know how to do - BOTH physically (if NECESSARY), AND psychologically. Once I've been housed, I've always gotten well-treated. I don't like to smoke in Rikers (the 'tea-bacco' cigs are too thin for me, and everyone all-of-the-sudden wants in on it), but, I'm ALWAYS offered some (and, I'll take a few drags here & there). Always fed. I stay away from everything, other than those I feel are like me: quiet, wanna do our time, and go HOME.

JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates?
Blunt: Nothing! I didnt have to do anything to avoid fights. Fights never came to me and I didnt go looking for them either.
Charles: Some prisoners don't like to talk when taking a shower. One black guy got mad at me because I spoke to him while he was in the shower. In C95 we all had to shower with our underwear on. These were one of the house gang rules. The house gang controlled food distribution. If they didn't like you you would get less food. The house gang members would stock up on food. C95 was a dormitory type jail with about 45 prisoners. There were three phones in the dorm with one of the phones to be used by the house gang members only. Coffee was also big in C95. I made some friends by giving away phone calls and coffee. (Commissary Coffee)
Patrick: sometimes stick to myself or just stay in bed to avoid all problems
Ryan: just be your self.
TJ: You have to be "with it" a punk, dayroom dummy ect.
U.N. Owen: Nothing, other than mind my own damn business, and, stick to the 2-3 inmates I'd play cards/dominoes with. I'd read - a LOT (I couldn't even tell you what it was I'd read. Just that it was a book).

JM: Were you able to choose an inmate as your cellmate if you knew one? How often would your cellmate(s) change?
Blunt: no i didnt no anybody at all
Charles: This depended on where you were in Rikers. Rikers is a very big jail. There is a Rikers website with some info.
Patrick: no
Ryan: no
TJ: no
U.N. Owen: I never shared a cell. I was either in a one-man cell, or I was in Gen-pop, where you're housed in a dorm-like setting.

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