CountyJail

Asurvivalguideforinmates,friendsandfamilies

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Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 4

BackgroundInformation ...................................................................................................... 4Jailvs.Prison ......................................................................................................................................4Felonyvs.Misdemeanor .................................................................................................................5Hiringanattorney ............................................................................................................................6BailversusBond................................................................................................................................7

TheFirstTime .......................................................................................................................... 8

Preparingforjail ..................................................................................................................... 8

Classification............................................................................................................................. 9ThingstoAvoidDoingandSaying ...................................................................................10

SexualOffenses ............................................................................................................................................. 10ViolentOffenses ............................................................................................................................................ 10DUI...................................................................................................................................................................... 11Drugs ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Wordstoavoidsayingincountyjail........................................................................................ 11Don’tsnitchonanybody .............................................................................................................. 11

PassingtheTime....................................................................................................................12Workingout ..................................................................................................................................... 12Gambling ........................................................................................................................................... 12Reading.............................................................................................................................................. 13Working............................................................................................................................................. 13Eating ................................................................................................................................................. 15

TimeoffforGoodBehavior................................................................................................16

Violence ....................................................................................................................................17

Rehab/Detox...........................................................................................................................17Preparingforjailwithanaddiction ........................................................................................ 17Disclosure ......................................................................................................................................... 18Drugsinjail ...................................................................................................................................... 18

Visiting ......................................................................................................................................19Whocanvisit? ................................................................................................................................. 19Whencanpeoplevisit?................................................................................................................. 19Whatisthevisitingarealike?.................................................................................................... 20

EducationinJail .....................................................................................................................20

Becomingatrustee ...............................................................................................................20

Hygiene .....................................................................................................................................21

Showering......................................................................................................................................... 21Goingtothebathroom.................................................................................................................. 21

TelephoneCalls......................................................................................................................21

MoneyinJail............................................................................................................................22Indigentinmates ............................................................................................................................ 22Wealthyinmates............................................................................................................................. 23Cash..................................................................................................................................................... 23

RandomInspections.............................................................................................................23

Clothinginjail.........................................................................................................................23ReceivingMail ........................................................................................................................24

Church .......................................................................................................................................24Releaseday..............................................................................................................................25

Lifeafterjail ............................................................................................................................25Movingon ......................................................................................................................................... 25Findingajob .................................................................................................................................... 25Probation .......................................................................................................................................... 26CommunityService........................................................................................................................ 26

Conclusion................................................................................................................................27

IntroductionGoingtojailisn’tfunforanybody–thepersongoing,thefamilyandfriendswhoareleftbehind,thetaxpayers.Thisguideismeanttoshareinformationthatwillprepareeverybodyfortherealitiesoflifebehindbars.

JailMediabeencriticizedbysomeforsharingthisinformation–somepeoplethinkthatthismeansthatwecondonecriminalactivityorthinkthattheAmericanpenalsystemistooharsh.Infact,webelievethatmostpeoplewhogotojaildeservetobethere(atleastforsomeperiodoftime).Wesharethisinformationinthehopesthatitwilltakesomestressoutofthelivesoffriendsandfamiliesleftbehind–thepeoplewecommonlyrefertoas“secondaryvictims.”Inmostcasesthesepeoplehaven’tdoneanythingwronganddon’tdeservethepainthatcomeswithtemporarilylosingalovedone.

First‐timeinmateswhodon’tknowhowtoactinjailcangetintroublebydoingorsayingthewrongthing.Thiscreatesproblemsfortheinmate,theotherinmatesandtheguards–everybodyloses.Comingintojailwithalittlebitofcontextwillhelpyouavoidmakingafewcrucialmistakesandpassthetimealittlebitfaster.

Jailisnotjustaboutpunishment–whenthelegalsystemisworkingproperly,itisaboutrehabilitationandprevention.Wehaveinterviewedhundredsofex‐inmates–manyhaveleftjailasbetterpeoplethantheyentered.Atanygiventime10%oftheUSpopulationiseitherincarceratedoronprobation–manypeoplestillgoontoleadnormal,productive,happylives.Justbecauseyouoralovedonemaybegoingtojaildoesnotmeanthatlifewillneverbethesame–infact,ifyoutakeadvantageofthisopportunityyoumaygrowfromitandbeastrongerperson.

Ourestimatesshowthatabout85%ofinmatesarerepeatoffenders–thatmeansthat15%ofallinmatesatanygiventimehavenotbeenincarceratedbeforeandwillnotbeagain.Almostallofthe85%repeatoffenderssufferfromanaddictionormentalillness.Inmateswithoutasubstanceabuseproblemormentalillnesshaveaverygoodchanceofnotreturningtojail.

BackgroundInformation

Jailvs.PrisonMostpeopledonotknowthedifferencebetweengoingtojailandgoingtoprison.Themediaispartiallytoblame–celebritiesgoingoffforastintinthecountyjailaretreatedasiftheyaredoinghardtimeinastatepenitentiary.

Thetruth,though,isthatjailismuchdifferentfromprison.Jailiskindoflikeagovernment‐imposedtimeout.Manypeoplegothroughthecountyjailsystemandgettheirlivestogetherandmoveon–unfortunatelythesamecannotbesaidaboutmostinmatesintheprisonsystem.

Youwillseldomfindinmateswhospendmorethanayearinacountyjail.Forinstance,ifsomebodyissentencedto2countsofdisorderlyconductwithamaximumpenaltyofoneyeareach,thesesentencesareusuallyservedconcurrentlyasopposedtoconsecutivelymeaningthattheywillonlyserveoneyeartotal(liketheyareservingbothsentencesatthesametime).Prisoninmatesareusuallyservingmuchlongersentences–sometimesevenlifesentences.

Alotofpeoplewhohavefamilymembersorfriendsgoingtojailworryaboutthembeing“institutionalized,”orco‐dependentonthestate–becomingsodependentthattheyarecompletelyunabletotakecareofthemselvesuponrelease.Whilethisdoeshappeninrarecases,itusuallyappliestohabitualoffenderswhohavebeentojailand/orprisonmanytimes.Again,thisisveryrareandshouldnotbeaconcernwithafirsttimeinmate.Withastrongsupportgroupvirtuallyallfirst‐timeinmatescanberehabilitated.

Felonyvs.MisdemeanorIngeneral,feloniesaremoreseriousthanmisdemeanors.Justbecauseyouareconvictedofafelony,however,doesnotalwaysmeanthatyouwillgotoprison.Manyjudgeswillchoosetosendfelonstocountyjailiftheyfeelthatashorterstayismoreappropriate.

Lawsvarybystatebutmostmisdemeanorscarrymaximumsentencesofthree,sixortwelvemonths.Theyareusuallyalsoclassifiedbyagradingsystem(ClassA,B,C,etc.)dependingontheseverity.AClassAmisdemeanorismoreseriousandcarriesagreaterpenaltythanaclassBmisdemeanor.

Ingeneral,mostmisdemeanorscanbeexpungedfromyourrecordeventually–completelyremovedasifthecrimeneveroccurred.Therearesomeexceptions(manystatesdonotallowsexcrimesinvolvingminorstoeverbeexpunged).Besuretodiscussthelong‐termimplicationofyourconvictionbeforeagreeingtoapleabargain.

Itisimportantthatyoufindacompetentattorneyifyouhavebeenchargedwithacrime.Justbecauseyouhavebeenchargedwithseveralfeloniesdoesnotmeanyouwillbeconvictedoffelonies–agoodattorneymaybeabletonegotiatethesedowntomisdemeanorsinapleabargainorevenhavethechargesdropped.Prosecutorsareknownto“over‐charge”suspectsinordertostrengthentheirarminnegotiationsduringbargaining.

HiringanattorneyWhetheryouhavebeenchargedwithacrimebutnotconvicted,convictedbutnotsentencedorevenalreadysentenced,youshouldconsidertalkingtoagoodattorneyaboutyourcase.

Manypeopleassumethatiftheyqualityforapublicdefendertheyshouldjusttakeonebecausetheywillsavesomemoney.Thisisoneoftheworstmistakesyoucanmake–inthelongrunyouwillgenerallypaymuchmorethanyouwouldpayaverygoodattorneyupfront(intermsoflostwageswhileyouareinjail,jobprospectsuponyourrelease,etc.).

Thereisnothingwrongwithpublicdefendersperse–infact,theyaretheattorneyswhowillgenerallyendupcommandingpremiumpricesforhighprofilecriminaldefensecaseslaterinlife.Therealproblemwithhavingapublicdefenderrepresentyouorsomebodyyoucareaboutistheirincentive(orlackthereof).

Beingapublicdefenderisnotaglamorousjob–thepeopleyourepresentdon’tthinkyoutryhardenough,theprosecutorsthinkyoutrytoohardandthejudgesassumethatallofyourclientsareguilty.Ifyoureallytrytofighttokeepsomebodyoutofjailyoucreateproblemswithyourcoworkers–theprosecutors.Infact,asapublicdefendertheonlypeopleyouworkwithonaregularbasisaretheprosecutors,sotheynaturallybecomeyourfriends.

Also,thereisnofinancialincentiveforapublicdefendertokeepyououtofjailorminimizeyoursentence–whetheryouserveonemonthortwelvedoesnotmakeadifferencetothepublicdefender.Theytypicallyhavehugebacklogsofcasesandthegoalistogetthroughthelistasquicklyaspossiblewithoutmakingtoomanyenemiesalongtheway.

Privatedefenseattorneysaredifferent.Theycanchargeabsurdpricesforlegalworkbasedontheirreputationandabilitytomakesuretheirclientsareaggressivelydefended.Theyliveanddiebytheirtrackrecord–theyknowthatiftheyhaveastringofconvictionsorheavysentencestheywilllosecredibility,futurebusinessandtheirhourlyrates.

Agooddefenseattorneycaneasilymakeafewhundredthousanddollarsperyearwiththeirgoodreputation.Theytakethisveryseriouslyandwhentheytakeyouonasaclienttheyknowtheyhavetodeliver.

Don’tassume,however,thatallattorneyshavethesameskillsandwillbeabletorepresentyouadequately.Trytogetreferralsfromfriendswhohavebeeninsimilarcircumstances,talktootherdefenseattorneys(theyareatightbunch,youusuallywon’tfindthembadmouthingeachotherbutwillprobablybeabletogetsomeindicatorsfromthem),negotiatewiththeattorney–getthebestpossiblerepresentationyoucanatthebestprice.

Also,itisimportanttofindoutanattorney’sspecialty.IfyouhavebeenconvictedofaDUIyouwantanattorneywhospendsalotoftimefightingDUI’s.Thisisobvious,butoftenoverlooked–justbecauseyourcousinhappenstobeacriminaldefenseattorneydoesnotmeanthatheisthebestfitforyourcase.Havingagoodattorneycanmeanthedifferencebetweenapleainabeyanceandatwelvemonthsentence–choosewisely.

BailversusBondManypeopledon’tunderstandthedifferencebetweenbailandbond–itisanimportantdifferencebecauseitcandeterminewhetheryougetyourmoneybacklaterornot.

Whenyouarearrestedandincarceratedusuallythecourtwillsetyourbail–theamountofmoneythatyouhavetotemporarilygivethecourttosecureyourreleaseuntilafuturetrialorsentencingdate.Soifbailissetat$30,000,forinstance,andyouhavethatmuchmoney,youcangiveittothecourtandthecourtwillreturnitwhenyoushowupforyourhearing.Bailisafinancialpledgetoshowupforyourtrialorhearing–ifyoufleethecourtkeepsthemoney(andmayusesomeorallofitpursuingyou).

Mostpeoplewhoarearresteddon’thavethismuchmoneyorevenaccesstoitsotheyworkwithaprivatebailbondcompany(orinsomestates,likeIllinois,theyworkwithastate‐runbailbondcompanybecauseprivatebailbondsarenotlegal).Thebailbondcompanywillagreetomakegoodonthebailamountifyouskiptown.Inexchangetheyusuallyrequire10%upfront(whichwillNOTbereturnedtoyou–thisishowtheymakemoney).

If99%ofinmatesmakegoodandshowuptotheirappearanceswithanaveragebailof$10,000,thebailbondcompanywouldcollect$1,000X100,or$100,000foreveryhundredclients.Supposethatoneoutofofthosehundredclientsskippedtown.Thiswouldcostthebailbondcompany$10,000,sotheirprofit(notincludingoverhead,whichisreallylowanyway)is$90,000.Notabadbusinesstobeinaslongaslessthan10%ofyourclientsflee(theflightrateinmostareasislessthan1%).

Bountyhuntersareusuallyhiredbybailbondscompaniestofindpeoplewhohaveskippedbailsothebondcompanycangettheirmoneybackfromthecourt–inpracticemoneydoesn’tusuallychangehandsbetweenthecourtsandthebailbondcompanies,butthecourtknowsthatifsomethinggoeswrongtheycancollectthefullbailamountfromthebailbondcompany.

Thecourtdoesnothavetosetbail–ifyouareseenasahighflightriskoradangertoyourself(orothers)thecourtmaydenybail,meaningyoucannotgetoutofjailforanyamountofmoney.

TheFirstTimeYoushoulddoeverythingwithinreasonandthelawthatyoucantoavoidgoingtojail–hireagoodattorney,keepyournoseclean,proactivelyseektherapyifnecessary.Thetimeperiodbetweenbeingchargedandsentencedcanbeanywherefromthesamedaytoseveralmonths.Whileitisnaturaltowantto“getitoverwith,”understandthatthemoretimeyoucanputbetweenyourcrimeandyoursentencingdate,thebetter.Youestablishatrackrecordwiththecourtandshowthatyoucanbetrustednottoflee.Ifyourattorneyfilesconstantmotionstodelaythehearing,keepinmindthatthisisprobablyoneofthereasons–itisforyourownbenefit.

Goingtojailforthefirsttimeisespeciallydifficultfortheinmateandthesecondaryvictims.Notsurprisingly,manypeopleevencontemplatesuicidewhentheylearnthattheyaregoingtojail.Again,themedia’sportrayalofjailmakesitseemworsethanitreallyis–thetruthisthatanybodycansurvivealittletimeincountyjail.Ifdespiteyourattemptstoavoidjailtimeyouarestillsentenced,itisnottheendoftheworld.

Itmaynotalwaysbepleasant,butyoujusthavetotakeeachdayatatime.Thetimewillpassandyourlifewillcontinue.Thefirstweekorsoisamajoradjustment,butyoujustneedtofindaroutinethatworksforyou.Eveninmateswhoserveayearincountyjailreportthatthe“timeflewby”afterthefirstmonth.Ifyoufigureouthowthejailcultureworksyouwillprobablyevenwalkoutofjailwithafewfondmemoriesandfriendsyoumetalongtheway.

PreparingforjailBeingsentencedtoreporttothejailatalaterdate(asopposedtobeinghauledofftojailrightaway)isamixedblessing.Inasenseyoucangetyourlifeinorderbeforeyouheadoff,butwaitingforafuturesentencecanalsobeextremelystressful.

Thefirstthingthatyoucandoisgetyourfinancesinorder–trytogetyourcellphoneplanputonholdandanyotherrecurringexpenses.Ifyouhaveacartrytosellit.Whilebeingreleasedfromjailisagreatexperience,theharshrealityofaruinedcreditscorecanaddalotofunnecessaryheartacheandmakethetransitiontolifeontheoutsideevenmoredifficult.Manyex‐inmatesfacebankruptcyuponrelease–takeeveryprecautionavailabletoavoidbankruptcy.

Memorizeimportantphonenumbers–yourparents,significantother,closefriends,etc.Writethesedownassoonasyouarebookedintojailsoyouwillrememberthenumberslater.Ifyouareservingformorethanafewmonthsyoumayhaveahardtimerecallingphonenumberslaterandyouwon’thavetheconvenienceofacellphonewithyourcontactssaved.

Talktoyouremployerandtellthemwhatisgoingon.Youprobablywon’tbeabletohidethereasonforyourextendedleaveofabsence.Evenifyoucancomeupwithaplausiblestorywordwillprobablygetbacktoyourmanagerthatyouwereinjail.A

managerwillbemuchmoreunderstandingiftheyhearthefactsfromyouratherthanthroughcompanygossip.Theymayevenholdyourjobforyou.

Spendsometimeinthegym.Youshouldbeabletoavoidviolenceifyouarepreparedforjail,butitwon’thurttobeingoodshapeifsomebodyistryingtostartsomethingwithyou.Confidenceisalwaysimportant,butespeciallyinjail–confidencehelpsavoidconfrontationandformostpeopleworkingoutbreedsconfidence.

Ifpossible,borrowsomemoneyfromafamilymemberorfriendtoputonyourbooks(alsoknownasyourinmateaccount–thisislikeacheckingaccountinjail).Havingalittlecommissarycangoalongwaytowardmakingyourstaymorebearable.Don’tgetintothehabitofgivingawaycommissarytootherinmatesfornoreason,butoccasionallysharingwillhelpmakefriends(andhelpyourfriendsbealittlebitmoreloyal).

Ifyoudon’thaveanattorneyyoushouldconsidergettingonetosubmitamotionforreview.Ifyouaresentencedtotwelvemonths,forinstance,youshouldtrytogetareviewwithinacoupleofmonths–manyjudgeswillletyougoonreviewifyoucanproveyouaregenuinelyinterestedincleaningupyouractandmovingon.Someattorneysmaycutaspecialdealwithyouforamotionandsinglecourtappearance–averywiseinvestment.

ClassificationVerysmalljailswithlessthanahundredinmatesmaynotseparateinmatesaccordingtotheircharges.Allcountyjails,however,willclassifyinmatesandseparatesomeinmatesfromthegeneralpopulationfortheirsafetyandthesafetyofthosearoundthem.

Violentoffendersareusuallyputintheirownareawithhighersecurity.Sexoffendersarealmostalwaysseparatedfromgeneralpopulationfortheirownprotection.Thishelpsreduceviolence,butdoesnoteliminateitcompletely.Forexample,aninmatechargedwithlewdnesswhomaybeinasexoffendercellblockmaybullyanotherinmateinthesameblockwhohasbeenchargedwithsexualassaultofaminor.

Don’tspendalotoftimeandenergytryingtoexplainwhyyoucommittedyourcrimeorwhyit’snotasbadasthecrimesofthosearoundyou.Doingsowillprobablyjustmaketheotherinmatesmad.Dependingonyourchargesyoumaybeinsometypeoftherapyafterreleasethatwillhelpyoufigureallthatout.Yourgoalinjailistopassthetimeasquicklyaspossible,incident‐free,andmoveonwithyourlife.

Generalpopulationiswheremostinmatesendupaslongastheydon’thaveaviolentcrime,sexoffenseorhaven’tbeenbrandedbyotherinmatesasasnitch.Manyinmatesingeneralpopulationhavebeeninandoutofjailandknowwhattodoandwhatnottodo.Trytomakeafriendwhoknowswhat’sgoingonandjust

followtheirlead.Everycountyjailisdifferentandtheremaybelittlethingsthatsettheotherinmatesoff–makesureyouknowwhatthesearesoyoucanavoidthem.

Theotherclassificationis“medical.”Inmateswhoarechronicallyillmayspendalotoftimeinthemedicalarea.Mostjailsrestrictprivilegesinthemedicalareatodiscourageinmatesfromfakingillnesses,butifyouaretrulysickthismaybeagoodoption.Mostinmateswhospendalotoftimeinmedicalsaythattimepassesmuchslowerthanitdoeswhentheyareworking.

ThingstoAvoidDoingandSayingCountyJailshavetheirowncultureandwhileeachjailisdifferent,somerulesapplyuniversally.Hereisalistofthingsyoushouldnevertalkaboutorsayinacountyjail.

Don’ttalkaboutyourcharges–ironicallymostinmatesdon’tlike“criminals.”Mostpeoplewhoareincarceratedbelievethattheydon’tdeservetobeinjailandtheirchargesarenotasbadasthosearoundthem.

SexualOffensesThisisespeciallytrueifyouareservingtimeforasexualoffense.Remember,nobodycaresaboutthecircumstancesaroundyouroffense.Evenifyouwere18andyourgirlfriendwas17,youwillbebrandeda“rapist”andtreatedassuch.

Ifyouhaveanychargesforasexualoffense,doanythingyouhavetodotoavoidsharingdetailsofyourcase–makeupfakecharges,refusetodiscussyourcaseanddeflectquestionswhennecessary.Dowhateveryouhavetodotoavoidthesubject.Remember,youronlygoalisincident‐freesurvival.Discussingthesechargeswillnotbenefityouinanyway.

Largercountyjailswillusuallyseparatesexoffendersfromgeneralpopulation.Thisisforeverybody’sprotection.Sincelargerjailstendtobemoredangerousthishelpsavoidalotofinmateviolence.

ViolentOffensesMostinmatesalsolookdownonviolentoffenders,butnotnearlyasmuchastheydoonsexualoffenders.Inlargecountyjails,violentoffendersareusuallyseparatedaswell.

Ifyouhavebeenchargedwithassaultforsomethinglikeabarfightbetweentwomales,youareprobablyOKtalkingaboutyourcase.Ifyouhavebeenaccusedofdomesticviolenceoranythinginvolvingafemale(assumingyouareamale),don’ttalkaboutyourcase.Again,thecircumstancesdon’tmattertootherinmates–youwillbeconsideredacowardandwillbeatargetforviolence.

DUIIfyouhaveaDUIyouprobablywon’tbespendingtoomuchtimeincountyjail(unlessyouhavemultipleDUI’s,aparticularlyaggressiveDAoratotallyincompetentattorney).YourattorneywillprobablypushtheDAforcommunityserviceorhomeconfinement.

Whileyouareinjail,though,youshouldavoiddiscussingyourDUI.Inmostcasesotherinmateswon’tcareaboutaDUI,butwehaveseenatleastonecircumstancewhereaviolentoffenderattackedaninmatechargedwithaDUIwhiletheywerebothinclassification(youwilltypicallyspend1‐7daysinaspecialclassificationareadependingonthesizeofthejail).Jailofficialslaterfoundthattheattacker’sbrotherhaddiedinanaccidentinvolvingadrunkdriver.Playitsafe–don’tdiscussyourcaseifyoudon’thaveto.

DrugsIfyouhavebeenchargedwithacrimeinvolvingdrugs,onlysharedetailsofyourcasereluctantly.Ifyouaretooeagertotalkaboutyourchargesyoudrawunwantedattentiontoyourself.Thiscanmakeyouatargetforviolence.

Someestimatesshowdrug‐relatedcrimesaccountfor95%ofallinmateactivityatcountyjails(takingintoaccountthatmostrobberiesandburglariesaredrug‐related).Drugoffendershavethehighestrecidivismrate(meaningtheyarethemostlikelytoreturntojail).Forthisreason,manyinmateswithdrugchargeswillknoweachotherfromhavingbeeninandoutofjail.

Beawarethattheseinmatescanoftenbeirritable,especiallytheirfirstfewdaysastheirbodyadjuststolifewithoutrugs.Somemethaddictscomeinandsleepforseveraldaysstraightafterhavingspentdaysorweekswithoutanysleep.Theirtemperamentcanchangeonadime–trynottodoorsayanythingthatcouldpossiblysetthemoff.

WordstoavoidsayingincountyjailHonestly,youcouldprobablygetawaywithcallingmostpeopleincountyjailapunkorbitchandeithergetalaughoutofthemoratleastgetthemtoignoreyou.Someinmates,though(especiallythosewhohavedoneprisontime)willbesetoffbythesewords.

Theybothimplythatsomebodyisnotwillingtostickupforthemselvesandaresubmissivetootherinmates.Doyourselfafavorandavoideverusingthesewords.Theyaresoinflammatorytosomeinmatesthattheywillnotthinktwiceaboutpickingupmorecharges(forviolence)todefendthemselvesfromtheallegation.

Don’tsnitchonanybodyA“snitch”issomebodywhotellsonsomebodyelse.Intherealworldthisisnotapowerfulword–itisusuallyusedplayfullyandisn’toffensive.Onthecountyjail

foodchain,though,youdon’tgetmuchlowerthanasnitch(withtheexceptionofasexoffender,alsoknownasamolesteror“mo”).

Oneofthehardthingsforfirst‐timeinmatestounderstandisthatsometimesyouneedtojustlooktheotherway.Ifsomethingdoesn’tinvolveyou,suchasotherinmatesfighting,gambling,smugglingcontraband,etc.,don’tgetinvolved.Youwillbeexposingyourselftotremendousriskfornoreason.

Theonlytimeyoushouldconsidertalkingtotheguardsisifyoufeellikeyouareinimmediatedanger.Eventhen,youdon’tneedtotelltheguardswhoyouarebeingthreatenedby–justrequestatransferorprotectivecustody.

Ifyoumustrequestatransfer(orprotectivecustody,alsoknownasPC,whereyouaretemporarilyseparatedfromthegeneralpopulation),makesurenottomakeyourrequestobvioustootherinmates.Manyjailshavegrievanceformsthatyoucanfilloutonyourownandsubmitthroughadropbox–ifthethreatisnotimmediatethisisthebestapproach.

PassingtheTime

WorkingoutMostcountyjailsdon’thaveworkoutequipmentthesedays.Inmatelegendhasitthattheinmatesweregettingtoostrongforguardstohandle.Therealreasonismorepractical–workoutequipmentisexpensiveandinmatesaren’tknownfortakinggreatcareoftheirstuff.Also,taxpayersdon’thaveawholelotofsympathyforinmatesandresentfootingthebillforanydiscretionaryexpenses.

Thisdoesn’tmeanthatyoucan’tstayinshapewhileinjail.Mostcountyjailswillgiveyouaccesstoayardwhereyoucanwalkaroundoutsideorjog,especiallyifyouareinawarmerclimate.Evenifnoyardisavailable,though,youshouldhaveenoughroominthecommonareatodopushups,sit‐ups,etc.

Mostinmatesareprettyresourceful–insomejailstheyfilltrashbagswithwaterandusethemasfree‐weightswithabroomstick(thisusuallyisnotallowedbyjailrulesbuttheguardshavebiggerproblemstodealwith).Runninginplaceisalsopopular–thetemperatureinmostjailsisverycold(topreventinfections)whichalsokeepsthecellsfromgettingtoostuffywhenpeopleworkout.

GamblingMostcountyjailshavestrictrulesagainstgamblingbutthisdoeslittletopreventthepractice.Topassthetimemanyinmatesplaycards–gamblingkeepsthegameinteresting.Populargamesincludepoker,spades,heartsandpinochle,buttheywillplayanygamethatcanbeplayedwithfacecards.Someofthegamesrequireasolidunderstandingofmathandprobability–someinmatesmasteryofcomplicatedalgorithmswillsurpriseyou.

Inmatesusuallyeithergamblecommissaryor“trays”(meals).Thisiswhythejailstrytocrackdownonit–astringofbadluckcanresultinaninmatenothavinganyfoodforseveraldays.Ifyouaregoingtogambleinjail,gamblecommissarysinceitissomethingyoucanlivewithout(unlessyouhaveenoughcommissarytoreplaceameal).

Thebiggerproblemwithgamblingisthatittendstoleadtoviolence.Whenfoodisontheline(whichisthecurrencyinjail),peoplegetmoreupsetwhentheylose.Ifsomebodythinksyouarecheating,sometimeswithnobetterreasonthanthefactthatyouarewinning,theybecomeconfrontational.Thiscreatesano‐winsituation–eitheryouwinandriskupsettingtheotherinmatesoryouloseandgiveupamealorcommissary.

Whetherornotyouareincarceratedyouprobablyshouldn’tgambleanythingthatyoucan’taffordtolose,butthisisespeciallytrueinjail.Ifyouaregoingtogambleincountyjailyoushouldavoidgamblingwithanybodywhohasbeentoprison–theyareprobablymuchbetteratcardsthanyouandaremorepronetoviolence.

ReadingMostinmateshavealotoffreetime.Ifatelevisionisavailableitisprettyuncommonfortheinmatestocometoaconsensusonwhattheyshouldwatch.Forthisreasonmostinmatesread–alot.

Usually(especiallyinlargerjails)yourfamilycannotjustbringyoubooksfromhome.Thejailsareworriedaboutdrugsbeingsmuggledinsotheyrequirethatallbooksbeshippeddirectlyfromtheretailer,suchasAmazon,BordersorBarnesandNoble.Theyusuallyhavetobebrandnew(checkwithyourjailtofindouttheirspecificpolicyonreceivingbooks).

Inmateswhodon’thavetheluxuryofpeopleontheoutsideshippingthemnewbooksusuallyhavetheirpickofbooksthathavebeenleftbehindbyotherinmatesordonatedtothejail.Competitionforgoodbookscanbefierce–dependingonhowbadtheselectionisyoumayhavetotradesomecommissaryforanewJohnGrishambook,forinstance.

Somejailshavebookcartsthatcomearoundweekly(ordaily)allowinginmatestoexchangetheirbooks,butmostofthetradingstilltakesplacedirectlybetweeninmates.

WorkingThesinglebestwaytopasstimeinjailisbyworking.Therearethreepossiblewaysthatyoucanworkwhileincarcerated–throughaworkreleaseprogram,aformaljailworkprogramorinthejailitself.

Workrelease–Ifyouaregrantedworkreleaseyouactuallyworkoutsideofthejailatanormaljobandcheckintothejailatnightandfortheweekends.Thejudgemustapproveworkrelease,butifthisisanoptionyoushoulddefinitelytakeit.

Usuallyinaworkreleaseprogramyouwillcheckoutofthejailinthemorning,callthejailwhenyouarriveatworkandcheckbackinatnight.Notalljailsofferworkreleaseprograms(theyaredifficulttoadminister),butthisisagreatwaytokeeplowriskoffendersproductivewhiletheyservetheirtime.

Workreleaseallowsyoutokeepyourjob,butbeawarethatyouwillneedtotellyouremployerthatyouareincarcerated.Thejailwillsometimessendanofficerouttomakesureyouareatworkandtheymaycallyouremployertocheckuponyouoccasionally.

Ifthejudgeoffersyouworkreleaseheorsheisbasicallysendingamessagetothejailthatyouarenotaflightrisk.Violentoffendersarerarelyofferedworkrelease,butitiscommonfordrugcrimes.Youwillbedrugtestedperiodically,however,andfrequentlystrip‐searchedwhenyoureturntojail(instateswhereitisstilllegal).

Thebestthingaboutworkreleaseisthatyougettokeepyourjobandmakemoneywhileyouareincarcerated.Youusuallyhavetopayadailyrateforthisprivilege,soworkreleaseinmatesarelessofaburdenontaxpayersthanregularinmates.

JailWorkProgram–Thisisanewconceptthathasbeengainingmomentumoverthepastfewyears–inthesesituationsthejailhasaformalpartnershipwithagovernmentagencyorprivatecorporationwhereseveralinmatesareeithertransportedtoaworksiteandworkundersupervisionordotheworkon‐siteatthejail.

InOrangeCountyJail,forinstance,youmaybetransferredto“TheFarm”whereyouactuallyworkonafarmthatsuppliesfruits,vegetablesandover8,000eggseverydaytojailkitchens.Thisalsoprovidesanadvantagetotaxpayersbecauseitmakesthejailalittlemoreself‐sufficient.

Lifeinjailgoesalotfasterwhenyouareworkinginoneoftheseprogramsbecauseyouhaveareasontogetupeverydayandsomethingtodistractyou.Jailworkprograms,however,areslightlylessdesirablethanworkreleasebecauseyoutypicallymakelittletonomoneyandarenotworkinginajobthatwillcontinueuponyourrelease.

Jailworkprogramsarenotsubjecttominimumwagerequirementsbecauseyourhousingisincludedandworkingisoptional(youcanalwayschoosetospendyourtimeinthenormalpartofthejailifyouwant),butyoucanlearnnewskillsandpassthetime.Also,usuallythejudgedoesnothavetoapproveajailworkprogramsoitisagoodalternativetoworkreleaseifworkreleaseisn’tofferedasanoption.

Likeworkrelease,thejailitselfmaynotapproveyouforaworkprogramifyouhaveviolentchargesorsomethingthatwouldjeopardizethejail’sabilitytocontinuetheprograminthefuture.Someworkprogramsallowinmatestoworkwithnon‐inmates,forinstance,whowouldprobablynotbecomfortableworkingwithcertaintypesofinmates.

Also,workinginoneoftheseprogramswillincreasethelikelihoodofajudgereleasingyouonareview.Judgesaremoresympathetictoinmateswhoaretryingtolearnnewskillsandbemoreself‐sufficient.

Workinginthejail‐Dependingonthesizeofthejailyoumaybeabletogetajobcleaning,landscapingorinthekitchen.Thebestjobyoucangetisinthekitchen(anditshouldbetheeasiestsincetheyusuallyrequiresomuchlabor).

Youarenotwellfedwhenyouareinjail.Mostinmatescomplainthatasbadasthefoodistheyarestillnotgivenenough.Whenyouworkinthekitchenyouusuallygetextrafood.Also,justaswithanyjob,ithelpsyoupassthetime.Wheninmateshavesomethingtofocusonotherthanjustthetickingoftheclock,violencebetweeninmatesismuchmorerare.

Somejailsrequireaminimumtimecommitmenttoworkinthejailsoyoumaynotbeacandidateonashortsentence(lessthanamonthorso),butotherthanthatyoushouldtryeverythingyoucantogetajob.

EatingYouwillgetthreemealsadayinanycountyjailintheUSwiththepossibleexceptionofclassificationwhenyoufirstarrive(someinmatesreportspendinguptotwelvehoursinclassificationinlargerjails).Mostinmatereviewsofjailfoodrangefrommediocretoinedible.

Ifyouareapickyeateryoushouldstockpilesomecommissarytoassurethatyouwillhaveanalternativetotheregularmealsifnecessary.Ramennoodlesarepopularandavailableinalmosteverycountyjail.

Commissaryisusuallyavailableonlyonceaweekthoughsomelargerjailsnowofferitafewdaysaweek.Inordertopurchasecommissaryyouneedtohavesomemoneyonyourinmateaccount,mostcommonlyknownasyour“books.”Inordertogetmoneyonyourbooksyouneedtohaveafriendorfamilymembercomedowntothejailwithacashier’scheckorcash.SomejailsnowacceptWesternUnion(aspecialprogramspecificallyforjailaccounts)oranotherformofwiretransfer,butheftyfeesaretakenout.Youarebetteroffhavingsomebodydeliveracheck(ormailit).

Youwon’tbeabletogetcommissaryuntilyouhavebeenclassified.Inaverysmalljailthismaytakeminutes.Classificationinalargerjail,though,cantakeseveraldays.Evenwhenyouareclassifiedandcanordercommissaryyoumayonlyhavecertaincommissaryoptionsbasedonyourcellblock.Somecellblocksgetmorecommissaryprivilegesthanothers(forinstance,someblocksmaybeabletoorderradioswhileotherscan’t).

Commissarypricesarealwaysmuchhigherthanwhatyoucouldgetsimilarfoodforonthestreet.Sometypesofcandyandfoodmaycosttentimeswhatyouwouldpay

outsideofjail,butcommissaryisaprivilege,notaright,socomplaintstothejailwillgounanswered.

Mostjailsoffermicrowavestoinmatesinatleastsomeofthecellblocks(usuallythemoreprivilegedblockswheretheinmateshaveearnedspecialrightswithgoodbehavior).Sincemicrowavesareusuallyonlyaccessibleduringcertainhourssomeinmatesfindotherwaystoheatwater–oneofthemorepopulardevicesiscalleda“stinger.”Astingerisanincrediblydangerouscontraptionthatplugsintothewallononeendandisdroppedintoacupofwatertocompleteacircuitontheother.Theyareusuallymadeoutofthecordfromanalarmclockononeendandtwopiecesofmetalwithelectricaltapeinthemiddleontheother.Stingersaremadeoutofcontrabandandareneverallowed,buttheycanboilwaterwithinafewsecondsandarepopularformakinglatenightsnacks.

Inmatesareveryresourcefulandcomeupwithcreativerecipesfromcommissaryitems.Probablythemostpopularinmatedishisa“jailburrito.”InmatescrushupRamen,Cheetosandsausage,allavailableoncommissary,andpouritinanunusedgarbagebag.Theypourboilingwater(heatedupinamicrowaveorwithastinger)andletitcookforfifteenminutesorso.It’scalledaburritobecausetheyletitcookinarolledupwhitetowelthatresemblesaburrito.

TimeoffforGoodBehaviorJailsthatarepronetoovercrowdingofteninstitute“timeoffforgoodbehavior.”Thisisamisnomer–ifyouaregoingtoajailthatofferstimeoff(alsocalledgoodtime),thejailwillassumeondayonethatyouwillbereleasedearlytakingintoaccountyourgoodtime.Youwon’tlosetimeoffunlessyoudosomethingreallybad(likefightingorusingdrugs)andeveninthesecasesitisnotuncommonforthemtostillgiveyouyourtimeoff.

Ifyouwanttoknowwhetherajailofferstimeoffyoujustneedtocallthem.Mostcountyjailsthatoffertimeoffgiveonedayofffortwoserved,meaningyouwillonlyendupserving2/3ofasentence.Severelyovercrowdedjails,however,canofferevenmore.LACountyisknowntoreduceinmatesentencesto10%oftheoriginalsentence.Thismeansthatinmatessentencedtoayearusuallyservejustoveronemonth.

Ontheothersideofthecoinsomecountyjailsdon’thaveovercrowdingproblemsanddon’tofferanytimeoffforgoodbehavior.Don’tmakeanyassumptions–justcallupthejailandaskthemwhatthecurrentpolicyis.Occasionallyjailswillputinmatesonhousearrestwithanklebracelets,butthisisaveryrarepracticeandistypicallyreservedforminorcrimes(orpeoplewithdisabilities).

Whilethejailreallywantsyoutoserveyourtimeandgetoutasquicklyaspossiblethejudgemaychoosetorescindyourtimeoff.Anysuchrulingwilloftenbereviewedandturnedoverbythesentencingjudgelater.Usuallyinthesecasesyouwillgetcreditfortimealreadyservedaswell.Itisalsonotuncommontobe

releasedonreview–thisisoneofmanysituationswherehavingagoodattorneycanreallypayoff.

ViolenceYouwillprobablyseesomeviolenceinjailbutifyouaresmartandknowhowtoreactyouwillbeabletoavoiditforyourself.

Oneofthemostpopularquestionsiswhetheryouneedtojoinagangoralignyourselfwithagroupofpeopletoavoidviolenceinjail.Theanswerreallydependsonwhichjailyouaregoingto.

Ifyouaregoingtojailinanareawithalotofgangactivity,likeCookCountyorLosAngeles,aligningyourselfwithpeopleofyourownraceisimportant.Thisismostimportantifyouhavealongersentence–ifyouwillonlybeinforacoupleofweeksyoushouldbeabletokeeptoyourselfandbefine.

Joiningagang,however,isnotnecessaryincountyjailandwillmakeyouahigherriskforviolence.

Ifsomebodyisthreateningyouinjail,youneedtomakesomefriends.Peoplewon’tbeaslikelytofightwithyouifyouhavefriendsbecausesomebodymightstickupforyou.Atthesametime,though,actingscaredandshowingyourweaknesswon’timprovethingseither–youneedtobewillingtostandupforyourselforatleastactlikeyouarewillingtoifsomebodytriestostartsomething.Nobodywillrespectyouifyoudon’tstickupforyourself–confidenceiskey.

Thisdoesn’tmeanthatyouneedtothrowapunchorfight,justthatyouneedtobewillingtoprotectyourselfifanybodyattacksyou.Thisisunlikelyifyouknowwhatyouaredoinginjail,butbepreparedforthepossibilityofviolence.

Rehab/DetoxMostinmateshavedrugproblems.Jailcanbeagoodopportunityforsomebodytogetclean,butgoingcoldturkeycanbedangerousaswell.Themedicalstaffshouldbeabletodealwithwithdrawalsbutbepreparedforthepossibilitythattheywillnotbe.

PreparingforjailwithanaddictionIfyouarescheduledtoserveafuturesentenceandyouhaveadrugaddictionitishighlyrecommendedthatyouseekhelpdetoxingbeforeyoucheckintojail.Arehabcenterorprivatefacilitywillgiveyouamuchsaferalternativetogoingcoldturkeyincountyjail(andyouwillprobablyfindthemmoresympathetic).

Goingtojailwithadrugaddictionisnotgoodforanybody–you,otherinmates,guardsorthemedicalstaff.Also,whenyouarebookedintojailyouaremuchmorelikelytoreceiveprescriptionsifyouhavealreadyhaveadoctor’sorderfromoutside

thejail.Everyjail’smedicalstaffdealswithafloodofprescriptionrequestseverydayandnotsurprisinglymostofthemaredenied.

DisclosureYoushoulddiscloseanydrugaddictionsduringbookingsothejailhasdocumentationofyourcondition.Ifyouhaveafriendorlovedoneontheoutsideyoushouldhavethemcallthejailandtalktothemedicalstafftomakesuretheyareaware.

Rehabprogramsinjailaresometimessponsoredbythejailbutareusuallysponsoredbyvolunteerswhowanttohelp.Ifyouhaveadrugoralcoholproblemyoushouldtakeadvantageoftheserehabprograms.Itwillgiveyouachangeofscenery(somethingyoudon’tgetalotinjail)andachangeofpace.Youmightalsolearnsomeimportantcopingmechanismstoensureyoudon’tendupbackinjail.

Notethatwhiletheseprogramsaregoodtheyaren’tquiteasstructuredasregulardrugrehabprogramsofferedoutsideofjail(theywillprobablyoffer2‐3classesperweekinjail),soitisnotagoodreplacementforafull‐blowntreatmentprogram.Youshouldstillgotorehabafteryouarereleasedfromjailbecausethetransitionfromnotusingwhenyouareinjailandwhendrugsareavailableisdifficultformostpeople.Sadly,mostinmatesstartusingagainwhentheyarereleased.

DrugsinjailSomecountyjailshavehugedrugproblems.Drugscanbesmuggledinmanyways–newinmatesbringthemin(mostoftensmugglingthroughabodycavity),workreleaseinmatesbringtheminwhentheyreturnatnightandsometimestheguardsbringthemin.Becausethesupplyofdrugsissolimitedtheyfetchmuchhigherpricesthantheydoonthestreets.

Ifyouarecaughtsmuggling(orwithdrugs),youwillprobablypickupadditionalchargesandextendyourstay.Infact,youcouldbesenttoprison.Don’tsmuggleorbuydrugsinjail–itisjustnotworththerisk.Themainproblemwithbuyingdrugsisthatahandfulofpeoplewillknowaboutthetransaction.Theycantrytousethisinformationtosecureanearlyrelease(bysnitching).Don’tassumeanybodywillprotectyouiftheirownpersonalfreedomisatstake–itjustdoesn’thappen.

Prescriptiondrugsarealsocommonlyabusedinjail.Twiceadayamedicalcartcomesbywithalloftheprescriptions(youcanalsorequestAdvilorTylenolifyouhaveaheadache).Usuallythenursewillwatchyoutakeyourmedicineandhaveyouopenyourmouthtoprovethatthepillwentdown,butsomeinmatesarereallygoodat“cheeking”theirmedicineswithoutthenursesnoticing.

Inmatesmaycheektheirmedicinesotheycantakethemlaterortosellthemtootherinmates.Notalldrugsareallowed(itisraretoseeopiatesdistributedinjail)butXanaxandValiumarecommonandcanbetradedforquiteabitofcommissary.

Inordertogetthenecessarymedicationsyouneedtohavesomebodycontactthejailwithyourprescription.Theyareusuallyprettygoodatfindingyourdoctorandgettingprescriptions,butifyouareworriedaboutnotgettingtherightmedicineyoushouldhaveasomebodyontheoutsideinitiatecontact.

VisitingMostcountyjailsallowvisitinginsomeformoranother,buttherearesomethingsthatyoushouldbeawareofbeforetryingtovisitaninmate.

Whocanvisit?Mostjailsrequirethatvisitorsbeatleasteighteenyearsoldunlesstheyareaccompaniedbyanadult.Evenyoungchildrenareusuallyallowedtovisitaslongastheyarewithsomebodyovereighteen.

Ifyouhavebeentojailinthepastyear(fiveyearsinsomejails)youmayhavetodosomeextrapaperworktovisitaninmate.Somejailsdon’tevenallowyoutovisitaninmateifyouhaverecentlybeenincarceratedorifyouhaveafelonyonyourrecord–contactthejailtofindouttheirspecificvisitorpolicy.

Ifyouhaveawarrant,don’tvisitsomebodyinjail.Youwon’tbeallowedtovisittheinmateandwillprobablybedetained.Thejailwillcheckyouridentificationanddoawarrantcheckbeforeallowingyoutovisitaninmate.

Mostjailswillnotallowvisitorswhoare“dressedinappropriately.”Thisiscompletelyatthediscretionoftheguards,sojustdressconservatively.Wehaveseenmanyreportsofvisitorsturnedawayforwearingshortskirts,tanktops,shortdresses,etc.

Prettymucheverybodywhovisitsaninmateinjailhasastoryabouthowmeantheguardsare–don’ttakeitpersonally.

Whencanpeoplevisit?Youwillneedtocontactthelocaljailtofindoutvisitingtimes–inlargerjailsthiswillvaryfordifferentcellblockssoyouneedtofindoutexactlywheretheinmateyouarevisitingishoused.

Mostjailsallowtheinmatestwovisitsperweek,butsomeonlyallowoneandothersofferthree(andafewallowavisiteverydayoftheweek).Youshouldtalktotheinmateandfindoutwhentheywantyoutovisit–iftheyhaveagirlfriend,forinstance,whovisitstwiceaweektheymaynotwantyoutovisitatall(ortheymightwantyoutocomealongwiththeirgirlfriend–usuallyyoucanhaveuptothreepeoplepervisit).

Ifaninmategetsahalfhourvisityouwillneedtobudgetatleastacoupleofhourstogetthroughthepaperwork.Somejailsaresoinefficientthatitcantakeuptothreehoursofwaitingjusttogettothevisitingarea.Subsequentvisitsshouldnot

takeaslongasthefirst,butyoumightstillhavetowaitacoupleofhoursduringbusyhours.

Receivingvisitorsisaprivilegeandnotaright–whenacellblockisputon“lockdown”(usuallyfollowingafightordrugbust),thejailsometimestakesawayvisitingrightsforalloftheinmates,sometimesforseveraldays.Ifyouaretravelingfromoutofstatetovisitaninmateyoushouldcallthejail–theymaymakeaspecialexceptionforyoudependingonthecircumstances.

Whatisthevisitingarealike?Firstofall,nocountyjailintheUnitedStatesallowsconjugalvisits.Someprisonsofferconjugalvisits,buteventhesearerare.

Mostcountyjailsdon’tallowcontactvisitsatall(acontactvisitmeansthereisnowindowbetweenyouandyourvisitors)becauseofthefearthatvisitorswillsmugglethingsintothejail.Atmostcountyjailsyouwillbespeakingtoyourvisitorsthroughatelephoneoneachsideoftheglassorslotsintheglass.

Ifthecountyjailyouarevisitingdoesoffercontactvisitsyoumaybesearchedpriortothevisit.

EducationinJailIfyouaregoingtobeinjailformorethanacoupleofmonthsyoushouldtakeadvantageofanyeducationalprogramsthatthejailoffers.Theseareusuallyfreeandgiveinmatestheopportunitytodevelopskillsthatallowthemtobesuccessfuluponrelease.

MostlargejailsofferGEDprogramsforthosewhodidn’tgraduatefromhighschool.Somejailsworkwithlocalcountycollegesandoffercollegecredits.Youprobablywon’tbeapprovedforoneoftheseprogramsunlessyouhaveaprettylongsentence(atleastafewmonths),buttheyarealsoagreatwaytopassthetimeandstaybusywhileincarcerated.

BecomingatrusteeEachcellblockhasatleastacoupleoftrustees,sometimesmore(dependingonthesizeoftheblock).Thetrusteesdorandomjobsaroundtheblocks–passingoutmeals,cleaningup,dolingoutclothing,takingoutthetrash,etc.Thebenefitofbeingatrusteevariesfromjailtojail,butusuallytrusteesaregivenafewspecialprivilegessuchasextramealsandtheirchoiceofabed.Somejailsevenallowtrusteestogooutsideandsmokeoccasionally(mostcountyjailsaresmoke‐freethesedays).

Insomejailsthetrusteesruntheshow–theywilltellnewinmateswheretosleepandreallyactastheleadersoftheblock.Inotherjailstheyaresimplyseenashelpersandnotgivenmuchrespectfromotherinmates.

Trusteesusuallyhavenon‐violentchargesandlongersentences(morethanacoupleofmonths).Ifyouwanttobecomeatrusteeyouwillhaveagoodchancebybecomingfriendswiththeexistingtrusteesandstayingoutoftrouble–whentheyareleavingjusthavethemmentiontotheguardsthatyouwouldbeagoodreplacementandthisisusuallyenoughtoguaranteeyouthejob.

Hygiene

ShoweringOneofthemostcommonconcernsthatfirst‐timeinmateshaveiswhattheshoweringsituationwillbelike.Willtheybeforcedtoshowerwithabunchofotherguys?Doinmatesreallygetrapedintheshower?

Actually,manycountyjailsthesedayshaveindividualshowersthatallowinmatestoshowerinprivacy.Alwayswearsandalsintheshower–thesewillbeprovidedbythejail.Infectionsareverycommon(staph,athlete’sfoot,etc.)sobecarefulwithwhatyouexposeyourselfto.

Eveninjailswithcommunalshowersmostcountyjailinmatesdonotlikeshoweringatthesametimeandhaveasystemthatallowsinmatestoshowerbythemselves.Somejails,though,onlyallowinmatesaccesstotheshowersduringcertaintimesandinmatesareforcedtoshowertogether.Ifyoumustshowerwithotherinmatesrestassuredthatsexualviolenceinjailisvery,veryrare(prisonisadifferentstory).Theotherinmateswon’tputupwithitandanybodyattemptingsexualviolenceincountyjailisquicklytakencareof.

Usuallythejailwillissuesoapandshampooforfreetoeachinmatebutitisusuallyreallylowquality–mostcommissarylistsincludenamebrandsthatwillbemorefamiliarandhelpyougetalittlecleaner.

GoingtothebathroomInlargercountyjails(whichtendtobealittlemoreviolentandrougher),youshouldaskanotherinmatewhichbathroomyoushouldwhenyoufirstgetbooked.Sometoiletsarereservedforcertainracesorgroupsofpeople.CookCountyisknownforhavingbathroomassignments(allcontrolledbytheinmates,theguardsdon’tcare).

Don’tgooutofyourwaytouseanotherrace’stoilettomakeapoint–it’snotworthitandcouldeasilyturnawholecrowdofpeopleagainstyou.

TelephoneCallsTelephonerulesandratesvarywildlyinUSjailsbuttheyhaveonethingincommon–theyareexpensive.Usuallywhenaninmatemakesanoutgoingphonecallthecountyjailphonesystemstartsbyannouncingtothecallerthattheyarereceivinga

callfromthejailandaskingiftheywanttoacceptthecharge.Thesechargesrangefromacoupleofdollarstoeightdollarsforatentofifteenminutecall.

Ifyouwanttogetthemostoutofyourphonecallyoushouldtalkuntilthephoneactuallycutsout.Thismaycutoffaconversation,butyouwillknowhowmuchyoucanreallygetoutofeachcall.Somejailphonessaythatthephonecallislimitedtotenminutes,forinstance,butthecalldoesn’tactuallycutoffuntilyouhavebeentalkingforfifteenminutes.Sinceyouaren’tchargedperminute(usually)youshouldmakethemostofyourcall.

Somejailsofferphonecardsoncommissary.Thisallowsinmatestomakeoutgoingphonecallswithouthavingtocallcollect.Whilethisisconvenient,manyofthesesystemshaveproblemscallingcellphones.Anybodywhowantstoacceptincomingphonecallsfrominmatesshouldeithermakesuretheyhavealandlineavailableorcalltheircellphonecarrier–occasionallythecellphonecarriercansimplyremoveablockfromthephoneandallowincomingcallsfrominmates.

Allcountyjailphonecallsaresubjecttosurveillancethoughtheyrarelyarebecauseofthevolumeofcallsthejailhandles.Callsmayberecordedandplayedbacklaterifjailofficialssuspectyouareplanningacrimefrombehindbars.Also,theprosecutormayrequestrecordingsofyourcallsforevidenceagainstyou.Becarefulwhatyoutalkabout–anythingyousayoverthephonecanbeusedagainstyouincourt.

Forthemostpartinmatescannotreceiveinboundphonecallsfromanybodybuttheirattorney.Ifyouwanttotalktoaninmateonthephoneyoushouldputmoneyontheinmate’sbooksandsendthemaletterrequestingacall.Makesuretosendyournumber–mostpeoplejuststorephonenumbersintheircellphonesosometimesrememberingphonenumberswhiletheyareinjailisdifficult.

Mostjailswillprovidefreeaccesstoaspecialphoneforcallstoyourattorneybutalotofinmatesdon’tknowaboutthis.Asktheguardsifyouneedtoplaceacalltoyourattorney.Thesephonecallsshouldnotberecordedtoprotectyourattorney‐clientprivileges.

MoneyinJail

IndigentinmatesInmateswhodon’thavetheluxuryofsomebodyontheoutsideputtingmoneyontheirbooksaretypicallyconsidered“indigent.”Insomejailsindigentinmateswillbeprovidedsomebasiccommissarysupplies,suchaspencilsandpaper,freeofcharge.Somejailsevenprovidestampsforindigentemployeestosendletters.

Mostcountyjailshavealotofindigentinmates–allthismeansisthatnobodyisputtingmoneyontheirbooks,notthattheyarepoor.Averywealthypersonwhodidnotwanttotellanybodytheywereincarcerated,forinstance,couldbeconsideredindigent.

WealthyinmatesIfyouhavealotofmoneyontheoutsideyoushouldnotadvertisethisinjail.Youmakeyourselfatargetbybraggingabouthowwealthyyouareontheoutside.Thisalsomakesithardformostinmatestorelatetoyou,whichcankeepyoufrommakingfriends.

Rememberthatjustbecauseyouhaveagoodrelationshipwithaninmateinjaildoesn’tmeantheywillbethesameontheoutside.Ifaninmateknowsthatyouarewealthyitputsyouandyourfamilyindangerafteryourrelease.

CashInsomejailsthemoneyyouhaveinyourwalletwillimmediatelybeputonyourbooks.Otherjailswillputthemoneyinadepositboxtobecollecteduponyourrelease.Eitherway,thejailshouldnotstealyourmoney–ifyoususpecttheguardsofmishandlingcashyoushouldfileaformalcomplaint.

Itisveryrareforacountyjailtoallowinmatestocarrycash.Mostlikelyyourmoneywillbekeptonyourinmateaccount,morecommonlyknownasyour“books.”Youusethemoneyonyourbookstopurchasecommissary,whichthenbecomesthecurrencybetweeninmates.

RandomInspectionsTheguardshavetherighttocomeinandinspectallinmatepropertywhenevertheywant.Occasionallytheywillsendalloftheinmatesintothecommonareas(orsometimesevenouttotheyard)whiletheysearchallpropertylookingforcontraband.Theywillgothroughallofyourstuffandiftheyfindcontraband,youwilllikelylosesomeprivilegesandpossiblyeverybodyinthecellblockwillhaveprivilegesrevoked.Thesecanincludetelephoneaccess,visits,commissary,mail,recreationaltimeandanythingelsetheguardscanthinkof(thoughtheywon’tactuallytakeawayyourmealssincethatwouldviolatestatelaws).Beingtheoneresponsibleforeverybodylosingprivilegescanmakeyouaveryunpopularinmate.

Whenyoufirstarriveyoushouldreceiveahandbook.Readthesectionaboutcontrabandcarefulsoyouknowwhatisandisn’tconsideredcontraband.Forinstance,manyjailsallowyoutohavepicturessentbyfamilymembers,butsomelimithowmanyyoucanhave.Ifthelimitistenperinmateandyouhaveeleven,thatmaybeconsideredcontraband.Also,anythingsmuggledinisobviouslycontrabandandanythingthatmaybeconcoctedfromcommissaryitemsforapurposeotherthanwhatitisdesignedforisalsocontraband(occasionallyinmateswillputtogethertattoogunsfromcommissaryitemsbutthisismorepopularinprison).

ClothinginjailMostpeopleassumethatinmateswearorangejumpsuitsinjailliketheydoontelevision.Mostcountyjailsthesedays,however,optforscrubslikedoctorswearwithseparatetopandbottoms.Theywillusuallyhavethenameofthejailonthe

back.Youshouldalsobeissuedapairofsandals–alwayswearthese,evenintheshower,topreventathlete’sfoot.MRSA,astrainofstaphinfectionthatisimmunetotraditionaltreatments,hasbecomemorecommonincountyjailsinthelastfewyearssobecarefulaboutgerms.

Ifyouareanaverage‐sizedinmateyoumayfindashortageofclothesthatactuallyfit.Whenyouhavesomeseniorityinthecellblockyouwillbeabletogetclothesthatfitalittlebetter.Thetrusteesusuallydoleoutthelaundryeveryweeksoifyougetingoodwithatrusteeyoucanincreaseyourchancesofreceivingclothesthatactuallyfit.

ReceivingMailAllmailsenttoinmatesissearchedbythejailbeforedelivery.Thismeansthatmaildeliverycantakeafewextradaysthanitnormallywould,especiallyaroundholidayswhenthemailstacksup.Somecountyjailsmanagetogetmaildistributedthesamedayitisreceivedwhilethebusiestjailscantakeuptoaweekormore.

Inspectingmailpreventssmugglingofcontraband.Everyjailhasdifferentrulesaboutwhatcanandcan’tbedelivered–aquickphonecalltothejailshouldbeenoughtofigureoutwhatisacceptable.

Mostjailsdon’tallowstickersbecausedrugscanbesmuggledunderthem(oracidcanevenbeinthestickeritself).Photographsmaybeallowed,butmostjailshavestrictcontentguidelines.Provocativepicturesornuditymaybeconfiscated.Theymayeitherbedestroyedorputinyourinmatedepositboxforcollectionuponrelease.

Inmatescanusuallyreceivebooksaslongastheyarebrandnewandsentdirectlyfromtheretailer,suchasAmazonorBorders.Checkthejail’spolicyonsendingbooks–somejailsmakethebookpropertyofthejailwhenitisreceivedsotheinmateshavetoleavethembehindforotherinmateswhentheyarereleased.

ChurchMostjailsintheUSoffersometypeofchurchservices.Largerjailstypicallycatertomanydifferentreligiousbeliefswhilesmallerjailsmayonlyofferinterdenominationalservices.

Churchisagreatopportunityforinmatestoescapethedailygrindofjail.Surprisinglymostinmatesprobablywon’thassleyouaboutattendingreligiousservices–theyareverypopularevenamongthemosthardenedcriminals.

Goingtochurchisconsideredaprivilege,notaright–ifyouoryourcellblockgetintrouble,churchservicesmaybetemporarilysuspended.

ReleasedayManyinmatesaresuperstitious–oneofthemostpopularjailmythsisthatifyoutakeanycommissarywithyouwhenyouleavejailyouwillbeincarceratedagainasapunishment.Obviouslythisisaself‐servingmyth–theotherinmateswanttocollectcommissaryfromoutgoinginmates.

Priortoyourreleasedateyoushouldasktheguardswhattimeyouwillbereleased–somejailsreleaseinmatesearlyinthemorningwhileotherswaituntiltheafternoon.Mostwillnotwaituntiltheevening,butasktobesure.

Mostjailsconsideranyportionofthedayservedasafullday–thatistosaythatifyouarebookedinat11:59atnightyouwillstillgetcreditforservingafullday.Forthisreasonyoumaybereleasedadayearlierthanyouwouldthinkyourgettingout.Ifyouareuncertainwhatyourreleasedateismakesuretoaskthejail.

Makesurethatwhoeverispickingyouupdoesnothaveatightschedule–itcansometimestakehourstoprocessoutgoinginmates.Nothingistrulyefficientinthislegalsystem.

Lifeafterjail

MovingonMostinmatesworryalotmoreaboutgoingtojailthanaboutbeingreleased.Inmanyways,though,thetransitionfromincarcerationtofreedomcanbeasdifficultasthetransitiontolifeinjail.

Injailyoulearntokeepanemotionaldistancebetweenyouandotherinmates–thisisnaturalanditisforyourownprotection.Thiscanmakerelationshipsontheoutsidedifficult,though.Ifyouhavespentatleastafewmonthsinjailyoushouldmakeanefforttotalkaboutwhatyourjailexperiencewaslikewithsomebodyclosetoyou.

FindingajobIfyouhavebeenchargedwithafelony,findingajobcanbedifficult.Mostbackgroundcheckswillshowfelonychargessoyoushouldalwaysbesuretodisclosetheminyourinitialinterview.Consultwithyourattorneyonwhetherornotyourmisdemeanorchargeswillshowup–undersomesituationsyoumaynotevenneedtodiscloseyourrecord.

Also,manystateswillactuallyletyouconvertfeloniestomisdemeanorsafteryouhavecompliedwithallofthetermsofyoursentence–besuretoaskyourattorneyaboutwhetherthisisapossibilityinyoursituation.

Youshouldcontactyourjailforalistofcompaniesthathirefelons.Iftheydon’thavealistavailableyoumaywanttocallsomelocalattorneys.Insomecasesthe

employersmayrequirethatyoubebonded,whichcostsalittlemoney,butitisasmallpricetopayforgainfulemployment.

ProbationUponyourreleaseyoumaystillbeonprobationforalittlewhile–thisissimilartoparolewhichmostformerprisoninmatesarerequiredtoserve,butnotquiteasrestrictive.

Usuallywhenyouaresentencedtoservejailtimeyouhaveotherconditionsonyoursentenceaswell–fines,restitution,therapy,probation,etc.Thepurposeofprobationisbasicallytoensurethatyoukeepyournosecleanandcomplywithallofthetermsofyoursentence.

Yourprobationofficermaygiveyoulimitationsonwhereyoucantravel.Insomecasesyouwillberequiredtocheckinatapolicestationwhenyoureachyourdestination,forinstance.Makesureyoucomplywithalloftheserules–usuallywhenyouhavecompliedwithalloftheothertermsofprobation(restitution,fines,therapy,etc.)andestablishedagoodtrackrecord(atleastafewmonthswithoutanyproblems)yourprobationwillbeterminatedearly.

Whileyouareonprobationyourprobationofficerhastherighttorandominspections–theycancomeoverwhenevertheywantandsearchyourhomewithoutawarrant.Theycanalsovisityouatworkbutmostprobationofficersdon’tdothisbecausetheydon’twanttoriskyoulosingyourjob–peoplewithoutjobstendtogetinmoretrouble,whichmakeslifeharderforthem.

Inadditiontorandominspections,mostprobationofficersrequirethatyouvisitthemmonthly(orsometimesevenmorefrequently).WhetherornotyouhavedrugchargestheyrandomlyadministerUA’s(urineanalysis)tomakesureyouarenotdoingdrugs.Ifyoutestdirty(meaningtheydetectdrugsinyoursystem)youcanbehauledofftojailwithmorecharges.Ifthetermsofyourprobationprohibityoufromdrinkingalcoholtheymayalsotestyouforthepresenceofalcoholaswell.

Sometimesyouwillnotbegivenaprobationofficerbutputon“writtenprobation,”or“courtprobation.”Thismeansthatyouneedtogotothecourtoradministrativebuildingeverymonthandjustsigninandletthemknowyourcurrentaddress.Youarestillsubjecttourineanalysis.

CommunityServiceCommunityservicemaybeassignedbythejailinlieuoforinadditiontojailtime.Sometimescommunityservicecanbeappliedtowardcourtfinesaswell.Mostpeopleimagineinmatespickinguptrashontheroad–whilethisispopularinsomecountiesthereareavarietyofdifferentcommunityserviceactivitiestochoosefrom.Checkwithyourprobationofficertofindoutwhatopportunitiesareavailabletoyou.

Voluntarycommunityserviceisagreatwaytoreducethelengthofyourprobation.Mostpeoplecommitcrimesbecausetheyareselfish–doingserviceisagreatwaytoshowthejudgeandyourprobationofficerthatyouhavechangedandareputtingtheneedsofothersaboveyourown.

ConclusionIfyouarefacingjailtimeforthefirsttime,youprobablyfeellikeyoudon’tbelonginjail.Youprobablyhaveapreconceivednotionofwhataninmateislikeanddon’tfeellikeyoufittheprofile.

Thetruthisthatthereisnostereotypicalinmate–youaregoingtojailbecauseyoumadeabaddecision(orseriesofbaddecisions)thatputyouinthatsituation.Thesooneryoucanlearntoseeotherinmatesasregularpeople,likeyourself,whohavemadesomebaddecisions,theeasieryourstaywillbeandthefasterthetimewillgo.

Inastrangewayjailgivesyouanopportunitytolearnthingsaboutyourselfthatyouwouldn’tlearnotherwise–youmayfindconfidencethatyoudidn’trealizeyouhadbeforeorlearnhowtorelatetootherpeoplebetter.Ifyoucanusethisperiodoftimeasanopportunitytoimproveyourself,thetimewillnotjustbewasted.

Thenagain,maybeitwon’tbeagreatexperienceforyou–maybeit’sjustsomethingyouneedtoenduresoyoucanopenthenextchapterofyourlife.Eitherway,restassuredthatthetimewillpass.

Helpsomebodyelseout

Wehopeyoufoundthisguidehelpful–weprovidethisinformationfreeofchargebecauseweknowhowdifficultthejailexperiencecanbeforthefamilyoftheincarcerated.

Helpsomebodyelseout–ifyou’vebeentojailgoshareyourexperienceathttp://jailmedia.com/inmate‐interview–youcanpostyourexperienceanonymouslyandwewillpublishthestorytooneofourjailwebsites.Ifwedon’talreadyhaveasiteforyourjailwe’llstartone!

Ifyouhavebeentorehabconsiderreviewingthefacilityyouwerein–thisishelpfulforpeopleconsideringrehaboptions.Justgotohttp://rehabio.com/interview

Also,ifyouhaveeverhiredanattorney(orworkedwithapublicdefender),youcanwriteareviewaswell.Ourvisitorsarealwayslookingforthebestrepresentation–justgotohttp://attornio.com/interview‐itshouldonlytakeafewminutes.

Moreinformation

Tofindmoreinformationaboutaparticularcountyjailyoucanreadinterviewsfrominmatesacrossthecountry.Justgotojailmedia.com/Properties.phpandfindthejailnearestyou.

Ifyoudon’tseeyourjaillisteddropusalineatcontent@jailmedia.comandwewilltrytofindsomeex‐inmatestoprovidethisinformation.