JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time? Matthew: They did Church, which was twice a week. That was
the best way to find out who was new in the jail,
and hear about stuff going on in the other tanks
and the rest of the jail. Library was once a
month, and they gave us access to about 250 ripped
papers backs from at least 15 years ago. And then
they let us go out to the rec yard, which was a
joke. When I was in there, the first time I went
to yard, everyone in my tank said they haven't
been out to yard in like 6 weeks. I ended up
having this rec. yard opportunity only twice the
forty days I was there.
JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce? Give details. Matthew: There were cards, dice, and scrabble (paper
edition). Dominoes too, but I wasn't really into
bones.
JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail? Matthew: Nope. The food portions were scarce, the
commissary prices were super-inflated, and it
wasn't that bad of an idea to exercise to let the
time go by quicker. Mostly exercises you can do
with no equipment. There were some two-man
exercises that required both people involved to
use all their strength possible, and then you
could also tie sheets around a mattress for
something to curl and deadlift. You can also throw
a sheet over the top of the bunk bed and do some
pull-up type exercises.
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? Matthew: Twice the whole time I was there. Unless you count
the day they took me to my sentencing, and chained
me up and walked me around the courthouse outside
on a winter morning, when they could of taken me
through the building.
JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held? Matthew: Yeah, twice a week, in the biggest holding tank. I
never went, because I've never been religious, but
I always heard if you wanted to hear about shit
happening, then you go there.