30 Days in the Hole (and other prison experiences) (1 Viewer)

[Christopher P]

Just thought I'd check in here after my first couple days...

We stay in an old jail, but the cell doors never close, so psychologically that's nice, and it's nice being able to walk around. Lying around makes you STIFF! The beds are pretty bad, and I don't have a pillow, but I just bunch up my blanket and use that, since it's pretty hot in there anyway. I'm on the top bunk, above the snoring bandit. But he's ok. Question: How does one sleep through their own snoring?

People there are alright. I keep to myself like I usually do anyway, but the guys seem ok. No one's trying to be all tough or anything like that. And most are like me, in for maybe for a month or 2, some for up to a year. GASP.

The food is ok, at least it's hot, and there's usually plenty, so I'm not hungry. They usually have fruit, bread, etc...out that we can get between meals. But I usually eat a big lunch at work, so I don't think about the chow. The showers are nice and hot, almost too much so. There's a TV room, but it's usually occupied by big smelly guy, who is watching some movie on lifetime. He's always in there, and it's unbearable to be in there with him. He leaves if there's a NBA game on or something, since alot of people want to watch those, and he hates sports. Too bad the odor lingers. It's beyond B.O. It's B.B.O. (or something like that from "Seinfeld."

It's nice to be able to look ahead and see the 20th coming up (my release date) I'd hate to be in there for months. And I don't know how people after going through something like that ever go back....this is my first brush with the law, and I'm going to make damn sure it's my last.


Chris

 

[KyleS]

I have one question Chris if you are in Prison/Jail how the hell are you posting on a BBS board like the HTF? No offense but if they have computers for you guys to use that is complete BS. Why should the tax payers pay for offenders to have luxury items like computers and internet access? Rant done but seriously would be interesting to know what kind of rights you have in there.

Glad that you have decided not to visit there again after your stint is done. I have not been in prison or jail but can only imagine that there is no way I would want to go back.

KyleS

 

[CharlesD]

But I usually eat a big lunch at work, so I don't think about the chow.

Kyle, sounds like he is on work release.

 

[Ray B.]

Hang in there, Chris.

 

[Malcolm R]

And I don't know how people after going through something like that ever go back....this is my first brush with the law, and I'm going to make damn sure it's my last.

Good for you. I admit, I'm a bit floored by those in this thread who've been in jail more than once.

 

[Bob Graz]

Chris,

What happened to the pillow you were going to bring? Good luck, hope the time goes fast.

 

[KyleS]

I guess that I am misunderstanding what exactly work release is. I was thinking it was when you get out for the day to do road crew work where they are supervised by police with guns in case they try to escape. So what is work release exactly?

KyleS

 

[Ryan Wright]

So what is work release exactly?

You live in the jail, you work at your job. Every morning you get up and leave jail and go to work. When you're done, you come "home" to your cell. Work release is limited based on your crime. A murderer or rapist obviously wouldn't get it. Someone who is in jail for, say, failing to pay a fine, is not a threat to society and therefore they let them out during the day to work.

 

[Christopher P]

Yes, I go to my regular job from 8a-5p every day. For those who didn't have a regular job going in, they have the chance to do the chain-gain type thing I think, or they have the chance to go out for interviews, though I can't imagine that working in your favor (Q: What's your current address? A: King County courthouse) Sad thing is alot of people there don't have jobs (so weird they got work release) which means they don't care about being quiet at night for those of us who have to get up. You can also get a release to go to school.

And most people like me are in for 3-4 weeks so we aren't threats so to speak, and it keeps the us out of the jails, which are overcrowded as it is. And I'm paying for it too, so it's not all paid for by taxes. Like I said part of the reason I'm in is because I was duped by others and didn't catch on, but there are alot of people in there who have been in before, and even risk extra chore hours and such by sneaking a cigarette.

I didn't bring my pillow cause it's a big down one, and a pain to haul around. It's ok, I can't sleep much anyway, with the monster-snorer below me. Just kidding, I sleep, but God last night I heard shouts from all down the cell block for him to shut up.

Chris

 

[KyleS]

So if you get approved for work release does it take longer to serve the time you are supposed to? Basically since you are in Jail for a shorter period of the day does it take longer to put in the required time or if I understand it correctly they are collecting a fee from you to do work order and that makes up the difference?

KyleS

 

[Cam S]

Yes, I go to my regular job from 8a-5p every day.

How does your employer feel about you being in jail, and has it affected the way he looks at you? I would think that an employer wouldn't like his employee being in jail, but I guess it all depends on what your in for. But good luck, and hang in there.

btw, what exactly got you into jail anyways?

 

[Christopher P]

Kyle, I'm really not sure how it works. Like I said, they like to give people WR sentences to keep us out of the general, already-overpopulated jails. I do know that we all pay a fee for staying there, based on our sentence and out salary (it's a sliding scale). I know alot of people in there are in for drugs/alcohol and the also get to leave to go to treatment as part of their sentence.

As far as what rights/luxuries I have...each hall (20 people) has a small TV, and there is a bigger TV that they show movies on sometimes during the weekends (never been there though) We could bring in books (no porn) games/cards (no gambling), but couldn't bring in anything electrical (computers, cell phones, CD players, etc...) They have a some books there, and a few board games. Other then the 3 meals (which I'm souring on very quickly) they have bread, PB&J, and fruit we can get during the day. They have a few vending machines with pop, chips, candy. When we leave, we have limited time to get to/from our jobs, so I really can't do anything before/after work. You can request a day pass, but only after you've been in there a couple months. Can't think of anything else. And despite this long post...I am really at work

Chris

 

[Karl O]

I didn't bring my pillow cause it's a big down one, and a pain to haul around. It's ok, I can't sleep much anyway, with the monster-snorer below me. Just kidding, I sleep, but God last night I heard shouts from all down the cell block for him to shut up.

How about earplugs? Would they let you bring these in? Maybe worth a shot if the snoring is bothersome at all.

 

[Malcolm R]

Cam, I don't think Christopher needs to answer questions of such a personal nature.

Since he's in work release, his employer may not know anything about it. He's still showing up for work so it's not really any of his employer's business (nor ours beyond what he volunteers to share).

 

[JeremyFr]

I spent 3 days in jail for a bench warrant I didn't know a bout. At anyrate it wasn't as bad as I imagined though the jail I was in is nicknamed the King County Country Club. The worst part of being in jail was I was put in the same cell block as a guy I put in jail for beating his g/f outside my home in the middle of the street, that was a bit interesting though the guy was a total punk. He tried to intimidate me until I told him he was lucky to be there and not the mourge had I known who it was that night and walked out with a baseball bat. the food is horrid in jail, most jails pay less than $1/day to feed inmates so that should tell you something. It was pretty quiet though and laid back and we had cable! hehe all the cells were doored off sealed rooms so you really couldn't hear anything at night since they weren't open bar cells each block had about 50-60 guys in it and we had everything from me on traffic tickets to murdering gang bangers. The thing I hated most besides not being able to smoke was the fact that they make you wear tighty wighties! hehe

 

[Christopher P]

Hey welcome Jeremy...looks like we have something else in common. I should have also said we get to wear our own clothes, which is nice, and keep some extras (for work and all) in a small locker.

And yes my boss knows, but he's cool, it happened over a year ago, and doesn't affect my good work here. Their main concern was that I'd be handling a lot of money, so they do background checks for trustworthiness when it comes to those matters. They do actually verify my employment and I have to have a signed form stating I was at work like I was supposed to be.

Chris

 

[Christopher P]

Well, released yesterday, though it didn't really seem like a release since I left every day for work. the 19 days did seem to go by fast, even though from Friday evening till Monday morning the time seemed to drag on forever. I never thought I'd hate Fridays and look forward to Mondays like I did. There was a definite difference between people like me, who were counting the days when we checked in, and those who were in for 9-12 months and basically looked at it as their home. They were more social, more comfortable...while I was always looking at the calender, not talking much except to a few people, looking at it as temporary.

All in all, not a bad experience, just an annoyance more than anything. And the costs, nearly $400 for 19 days. I mean come on! And the time spent going through all the court procedures. A few of the people were nice and I felt lucky my roommate was cool (despite the occasional snoring). I never should have been in this situation in the first place, but it also could have been alot worse. Never going back there, I don't know how so many people do.

Chris

 

[Malcolm R]

Congrats, Christopher P!

 

[Bob Graz]

Chris,

Glad things went ok for you. Best of luck to you in the future.

 

[KyleS]

Glad to hear things worked out for you Chris and Thanks for answering all of our weird questions.

KyleS