I’ve seen/read plenty of media about being locked up in various types of jails and prisons. But, I’d like to hear some first hand accounts from people. How’d you pass the time, see anything rough, what country were you in, did you rehabilitate yourself, was there even opportunity to rehabilitate yourself?
I was in a low security federal prison for a couple years. There was actually a surprising amount of work and leisure activities to keep inmates occupied if they chose. There were maintenance jobs, including electrical and HVAC jobs that you could actually get certification for. There was a full library, education facility, computer lab, chapel, rec center with indoor and outdoor courts, and fully equipped music and art studios.
I worked in the education center, helping other inmates work towards their GED. Inmates who didn’t have a high school education were offered extra good time if they got their GED, and it was rewarding to be a part of. In the evening I usually went to rec and played in bands with other inmates who played.
The housing unit was usually quiet. We were all short timers who just wanted to get their time done and go home. We didn’t have cells. We were in little cubicles just big enough for a bunk, lockers, and a desk, and we generally had free roam around the place. Folks would get together and play board games in the evening. And of course there were your usual hustles…the store guys, guys who’d do your laundry, whatever.
so if you did not use the laundry guy did they have clothes washers you used available or what?
Yeah my housing unit had a little laundry room with four washers and dryers and a folding area. All the laundry guy did was offer the convenience of doing your stuff for you and giving it back to you nice and clean and folded, you know, for people who couldn’t be bothered to do that for themselves.
Sounds like a really well run and funded place. Sucks you ended up there but at least it wasn’t hell. Glad you’re out, thanks for sharing your experience!