Interview with Ryan, Alex, George, John, Diana and Maria
JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates? Please give examples to explain why you did or didn't. Ryan: NO Alex: Not really. I just kept to myself and only talked to people about my
age (36). George: NO, I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY John: nope. once you have it known that you are not
scared of them or being in jail, its pretty
routine. just remember that you came to jail
alone and you will leave alone. everybody wants
something from you, it's up to you whether you
want to be a giver or a receiever. Diana: No I pretty much kept to myself I'm no that social in scary
environments mostly everyone was nice lots of addicts coming
down on drugs so I. Just keep to myself Maria: Oh, I got along fine with the other inmates. I kept
to myself and they pretty much left me alone. I'm
not a small woman by any means; I'm not FAT or
anything...NO! but i'm...stocky, let's say.
JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates? Ryan: MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS Alex: Left people alone. And yes there were plenty of fights. In county
jail, there's a lot of people coming and going. A bunch of people
in for drug offenses that sleep almost the entire time they're
there. A lot of misdemeanor offenses just waiting to see the
judge to be released- less than 24 hours. And then there's the
people fighting bigger offenses or who have been sentenced to
long time. There was one guy in my dorm that had over 2 years
in county because it was year long sentences "back to back." The
people you choose to associate with are more commonly in the
category you fall in. I met one guy who it was his 30th time in
jail (mostly for drug offenses). After he detoxed, he was decent
to play cards with. George: MIND MY BUSINESS John: just do YOUR TIME, and stay out of other peoples
business. theres always gonna be someone who has
more time than you and they will try to get you
in a position where you mess up your good time,
or have time added to you sentence. but most of
all,do not whine! nobody cares! Diana: Mind your own business & don't disrespect people's personal
space and belongings . I really keep to myself and Hansleep
things in my own without involing the staff because That's not
cool people who run to the guards are labeled snithes and
that'll leas to a fight as well . Maria: Well, I didn't really have to do anything to get
along with them. I have a really good sense of
humor, and am quick with a snappy comeback or a
joke, so I was pretty much left to my own devices.
Plus, I could draw a little, and everybody wanted
my
services as an artist.
JM: Were you able to choose an inmate as your cellmate if you knew one? How often would your cellmate(s) change? Ryan: NO Alex: We were in a dorm, 2 tiers with 42 people per tier. They don't allow
you to request who to be with, but they DO allow you to request
who NOT to be with. If you have a history of causing trouble with
or fighting with another inmate, they won't let you be with him. George: NO John: nope Diana: No I wasn't they were already in cell I had the same roommate
because I wasn't there that long but they fill rooms very quickly
because jails are over populated Maria: No, I wasn't able to choose my cellmates, sadly.
I know that I would have liked to, because there
were some girls who were like me: inexperienced in
the ways of the law.