DeKalb County Jail

Leisure Time

Interview with Joey, Bob, Anne and Beth


JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Joey: TV, magazines, commissary, recreation
Bob: Broadcast TV, basketball for 1 hour a day, cards, chess, checkers were permitted.
Anne: TV and bible study and outside time.
Beth: cards, cable television, checkers, books, crossword puzzles

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce?
Joey: I had regular access to the entertainment
Bob: Not much competition, but sometimes arguments over what tv show to watch, who got to use someone else's cards, etc.
Anne: Competition was very fierce because it was two inmates that controlled the TV.
Beth: i didnt watch tv. i mostly did crossword puzzles, and play spades. but yes the tv was always a problem.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Joey: No
Bob: No- I struggle to work out at all when I'm free- in jail there's nothing else to do so I do a lot of pushups- no weights or exercise equipment in jail.
Anne: No.
Beth: i was only there for 1 day and a half. but the whole time i was there i dint eat, so i could only imagine that if i was there longer i would have lost alot of weight.

JM: How often did you get to go outside?
Joey: Every day
Bob: 1 hour a day.
Anne: Once a week.
Beth: i didnt get a chance.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Joey: Yes, the service was ok for an in jail service. Helped pass the time away and got you to think and reflect on your behavior
Bob: They offered church services every sunday; I never attended the service, but those who did usually returned shortly; the service must have been very brief due to the amount of inmates (I've heard DeKalb county is one of the biggest county jails in the country).
Anne: Yes they had good services but I forgot where they were held.
Beth: im not sure