JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates? Please give examples to explain why you did or didn't. Sarah: I did not find it difficult since I stayed to
myself. People locked up with me also were friends
of my husband Sandra: I didn't have any trouble with any inmates
except one. He was a young child and would make
noise while we were all trying to sleep so I
admonished him. Lyle: It was difficult. There were many young, immature
teens, and "twenties," acting like jail is fun, and
many clashes of personalities. Liars, thieves, and
con men trying to get over on people.
JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates? Sarah: watching all my items and tracking everything Sandra: I had to just take whatever annoyances were
present and not react. So I just let it all
slide. But I did allow the others to watch
whatever they liked on TV without complaint and
I traded food for drinks which was what I
preferred and to lose weight also. Lyle: I stayed in my cell or slept often. I got to know
just a few guys in my age group, and played cards
with only certain people, as to not interact with
the riff raff. I basically kept to myself, and
avoided all of the confrontations that others were
involved in.
JM: Were you able to choose an inmate as your cellmate if you knew one? How often would your cellmate(s) change? Sarah: No Sandra: Cells were individual so no sharing was going to
happen. Others came in and out of the pod often
though and I ended up being one of the longest
there. Lyle: I could not choose a cellmate. They changed often
depending on court dates, and their behavior also
got them moved from cell to cell, or from one block
to another.