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Closing Advice

Interview with Jenna, Cris, Mel, Bonnie, Ashley, Aaron, Walter, Shawn, Mimi, Saul, Heather, Ricky, Sterling, Doug and George

JM: What else would you want a friend or family member to know if they have a loved one going to this jail?
Jenna: To be as nice as possible to the officers, some of them can be really mean. But if you get on there good side they can help things go smoother for you. Don't walk in like your tough, there is always someone more tuff than you. You don't want to be in trouble a lot, keep your business to yourself. Getting too comfortable or telling people too much could be used against you. Some people poke you for information to snitch, so they can get less time.
Cris: Yes don't get in trouble in Seattle, going to the King County Jail, is almost like going to you grave.
Mel: it is possible to get a newspaper subscription. it helps immensely but it's moderately expensive. $150 for 3 months.
Bonnie: This jail has the worst reputation in Washington State considering all aspects. I reccommend investigating probably cause involved with anyones case. The emotional toll is significant and has the potential to leave a lasting psychological dent.
Ashley: Stay calm. The employees seemed professional, and the inmates were not too scary.
Aaron: Please help me to get some money on my books for commisary and neccesary. Items just to be able to survive somewhat comfortably. You. Will make it. Hang in there. Hopefully this will teach you a lesson on where you'd rather be righht now.
Walter: Don't try to make friends, but more so don't try to make enemies. Keep your stuff with you like food/commissary and do what the guards say. It goes smoother if you go with the flow.
Shawn: Put alot of money on their books so that they can get alot of commissary or else they will starve if they are not a trustee working in the kitchen
Mimi: Do whatever you have to do so you wont have to go to jail in the first place! Try to sleep as much as you can and the time will pass by a lot faster.
Saul: Visits and letters from the outside is the most appreciated support. It is our only communication with the out side world and can make for break the day or even week.
Heather: make sure to put money on the inmates account it really helps to survive that place if you have some funds up in their otherwise you dont have any good hygiene products and u are always hungry. put money on the phone
Ricky: RJC in Kent is far better than the downtown King County Jail. If given the opportunity to transfer I would highly recommend it. I can't say about current conditions but in 2002 it was quite tolerable.
Sterling: Nothing. The problem isnt the people going the problem is the system sucking them in. You dont have more people in jail than China by accident. I would tell them not to get near the infected floors and to try to get a drug prescription for depression before they go in.
Doug: they have all the services that they need to help with there problems and its one of the better jails to go to for trying to help themselves and there are less people in differennt groups.
George: keep in contact. it is very lonely in jail, and the lines of communication to the outside world are hard to maintain at best. do not let anyone take advantage of you.

JM: If somebody knows they will be serving time in this jail what is your advice to them?
Jenna: Just to make sure that you always know what is going on with your case, and know your court dates. It's easy to be forgotten in there and they are not there to help you. This will help with your sanity; I was in there not knowing what was going on. It's hard to get answers, sometimes you have to wait days to find things out. If you have family on the outside they can find out stuff to a certain extent, but keep your paperwork.
Cris: Keep your head down and don't try to make friends. Friends like those who needs enemies.
Mel: stay in school, don't do drugs, eat right, exercise.
Ashley: Be patient. Think, reflect, rest, make plans for your life so you won't be back.
Aaron: Id give them the same. Advice I just told in the last question. Keep to yourself and buckle. Down. Don't. Cause any trouble or do aything stupid to keep yourself in there longer.
Walter: Adjust your sleeping schedule to be from 10pm to 6 am. Get used to 3 meals a day. And be prepared to read some books. The hardest part for me was getting used to their schedule. Mine is much later.
Shawn: Get a good attorney and try to get home detention or at least work release because King County Jail it no fun. It is not a place to be at
Mimi: My advise would be just to mind your own business, the other inmates are not your friends. Be nice and extra polite to the guards or they will make your stay extra hard.
Saul: If you know you will be serving time make sure that you have your personal and family life taken care of before you go in. Once in there is not much you can do to care for your family.
Heather: mind your business. clean up after yourself. make sure you respect other peoples space. do not steal food or talk back to the correction officer. make your bed in the morning,
Ricky: I would say respect everyone as you would want to be respected. Keep to yourself mostly if you can and try not to violate anyone's personal sense of space. In general just act like an adult.
Sterling: Just the above. Get pills for depression maybe even tell them you are suicidal. Simply put time goes faster when you are inebriated or sleep. It not about survival its about keeping your sanity and not stabbing a judge when you get out.
Doug: try and make the best of it and keep a good attitude. get some money on your books so that way you can get a phone card or more food or get some playing cards.
George: if you are going to this jail, do not smile at anyone, do not loan anyone anything, and do not let anyone take advantage of you. stand up for yourself.

JM: Please list any other jail or rehab facilities you have been to.
Aaron: RJC, King County Work. Release, Monroe correction. Center, washington state ccorrection center (shelton), cedar. Creek correctional center
Walter: I have been to Lower Kittitas County jail in Ellensburg Washington twice as well as king county.
Shawn: Regional Justice Center in Kent, Washington Yakima Jail in Yakima, Washington(when King County contracted out to house inmates from here there. Monroe correctional Facilty, and Ventury County jail. Dutch Harbor jail
Mimi: I have also been to King County RJC, Snohomish County Jail, Renton Jail and and Lynnwood Jail.
Saul: King County Work Release - 5 1/2 months.
Heather: Perinatal Treatment Services, Evergreen Manor,SNohomish County Jail,Kirkland Jail
Ricky: only King County - downtown and RJC as well as several facilities in DOC
Sterling: I did time 10 years before In California for traffic stuff. It was like five days.
Doug: enumclaw and rjc.
George: RCKC