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Leisure Time

Interview with Dale

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Dale: My block had a small indoor gym, though access to it was limited. Much of our days were spent staring at the television; there were enough that everyone could watch. Some played cards, while others brought in newspapers that we passed around. There was a library, but--to really split hairs--the book selection was not impressive.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details.
Dale: The block I was on had a television with a decent sized screen mounted high on the wall in full view; to the best of my knowledge, every block was outfitted with such a thing. We might not all have agreed as to what to watch, but there were no heated arguments over channel selection-- most of us were just happy to have a moving image to stare at.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Dale: I did. I might have played basketball in the gymnasium were I the athletic type, or perhaps summoned the motivation to do sit-ups and push- ups in my cell. But in my case, I did not take advantage of such opportunities, and as one's movement is restricted--living off a diet of bulk empty calories--I indeed put on the pounds.

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?
Dale: As I'd said, the gym was indoors; there was no yard to speak of. For the four months I spent there, the only occasions on which I saw the sunlight were when I was being shuttled to and from court during the pre-sentencing process.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Dale: I believe there was indeed a chaplain available, and vaguely recall talk of different individuals catering to various faiths. I'm by no means the religious sort, so I did not make use of these, and cannot relay specifics.

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