{"id":1083,"date":"2021-04-13T04:27:39","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T04:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/96.66.168.57:8080\/wordpress\/?page_id=1083"},"modified":"2026-08-24T02:53:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T02:53:59","slug":"intermission-8-thoughts-about-jail-part-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/?page_id=1083","title":{"rendered":"Intermission 8:  Thoughts about Jail, Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1083-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P01.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P01.mp3\">https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P01.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The jail did not have a stocked commissary like you often see in movies. I&#8217;m not sure if this is common or not.\u00a0 Instead, there was a list of items with unique numeric identifiers.\u00a0 You would use the telephone system to enter your order by keying in the identifier and quantity.\u00a0 Inmates could place orders each week and have the items transported to the jail. Inmates delivered the stuff to each block in large garbage bags. These bags contained smaller bags that contained the items for each inmate.\u00a0 Each bag had an invoice, and while a guard observed, you reconciled the contents with the invoice. If there was a disagreement, you notified the guard who would check. If the invoice agreed with the bag&#8217;s contents, you signed the invoice and retained a carbon copy for your records.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most popular thing people ordered from the commissary were Ramen noodle packs. These were the de-facto currency in the jail and cost $1 each. Items typically cost two to three times as much in jail as outside. You were technically not allowed to gamble, but there were Ramen noodles wagered for everything from poker games to guard behavior. In addition to flavoring the noodles, inmates used the MSG packets on anything from the kitchen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The packaged treat section at a convenience store or gas station will give you an idea of the food items one could order.\u00a0 From what I recall, oatmeal was about the only healthy thing you could order. I was not familiar with the brand of most of the items as no region in which I&#8217;ve lived sold these brands.\u00a0 I cannot recall the name, but I had the impression that they were from around Kansas City for some reason.\u00a0 I suspect that maybe the delivery company was based in that area and delivered items to jails around the midwest.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Besides food, you could order office supplies such as computer paper, legal pads, small journals, and pens.\u00a0 Other items included athletic shoes that weighed significantly less than the standard-issue boots but considerably more than name-brand athletic shoes.\u00a0 They were also much more comfortable than the boots.\u00a0 I recall being amazed at how light they seemed when I first got a pair.\u00a0 I still have them, and now they seem extremely heavy.\u00a0 You could also purchase a sweatshirt and sweatpants as well as thermal underwear.\u00a0 At night I would fold the sweatshirt into a nice pillow since the jail did not provide one.\u00a0 You could also buy a small radio and replacement batteries.\u00a0 It was nice to have the radio, but very few stations had a signal strong enough for good reception in the jail.\u00a0 I recall being excited to find an alternative rock station I could occasionally tune with the analog station selector among a few country music stations.\u00a0 The housing of the radio was clear apparently, so you could not hide contraband inside.\u00a0 Inmates passed down most of these items as they were released or transferred.\u00a0 The only reason I still have the shoes (and sweatshirt and sweatpants) is because of the strange circumstances under which the jail released me the last time.\u00a0 There were also some &#8216;exotic&#8217; items&#8211;mainly better radios&#8211;that inmates had brought when they transferred from a different jail.\u00a0 The following image gallery is a collection of my commissary orders, so can see all the junk food I ate in jail.<\/p>\r\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#foogallery-gallery-2115 .fg-image { width: 640px; }<\/style>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"foogallery foogallery-container foogallery-image-viewer foogallery-link-image foogallery-lightbox-foobox fg-center fg-image-viewer fg-ready fg-dark fg-border-thin fg-shadow-outline fg-loading-default fg-loaded-fade-in fg-caption-hover fg-hover-fade fg-hover-zoom\" id=\"foogallery-gallery-2115\" data-foogallery=\"{&quot;item&quot;:{&quot;showCaptionTitle&quot;:true,&quot;showCaptionDescription&quot;:true},&quot;lazy&quot;:true,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;src&quot;,&quot;srcset&quot;:&quot;srcset&quot;,&quot;template&quot;:{&quot;loop&quot;:true,&quot;autoplay&quot;:0}}\" style=\"--fg-title-line-clamp: 0; --fg-description-line-clamp: 0;\" >\n\t<div class=\"fiv-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"fiv-inner-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-01.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2067\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-01\/1269105742.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-12.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2114\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-12\/4025491882.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-11.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2113\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-11\/3796728168.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-10.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2112\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-10\/3618755424.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-09.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2111\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-09\/252650995.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-08.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2110\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-08\/989040635.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-07.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2109\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-07\/2757827246.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-06.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2108\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-06\/2443030694.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-05.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2107\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-05\/995206608.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-04.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2106\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-04\/246222808.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-03.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2105\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-03\/3571646266.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-02.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2104\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-02\/3776861490.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders5-01.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2103\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders5-01\/3970108912.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-12.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2102\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-12\/1689550469.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-11.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2101\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-11\/984711325.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-10.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2100\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-10\/256715413.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-09.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2099\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-09\/2641902304.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-08.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2098\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-08\/2827260136.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-07.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2097\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-07\/1441239249.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-06.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2096\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-06\/1612397273.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-05.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2095\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-05\/1042203841.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-04.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2094\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-04\/199388873.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-03.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2093\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-03\/2182428913.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-02.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2092\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-02\/3085538041.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders3-01.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2091\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders3-01\/3924585697.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-12.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2090\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-12\/1220545047.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-11.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2089\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-11\/2180876813.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-10.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2088\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-10\/3019972613.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-09.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2087\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-09\/2557885944.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-08.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2086\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-08\/2911541232.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-07.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2085\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-07\/2753592487.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-06.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2084\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-06\/2447169199.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-05.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2083\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-05\/2623639149.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-04.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2082\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-04\/2845647973.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-03.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2081\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-03\/1943196807.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-02.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2080\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-02\/1177452175.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders2-01.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2079\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders2-01\/382188183.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-12.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2078\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-12\/4018628000.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-11.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2077\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-11\/1162571990.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-10.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2076\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-10\/1891097310.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-09.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2075\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-09\/2819173453.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-08.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2074\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-08\/2650113605.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-07.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2073\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-07\/3353856968.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-06.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2072\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-06\/4061880768.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-05.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2071\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-05\/2887688152.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-04.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2070\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-04\/2581738960.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-03.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2069\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-03\/3566582576.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-loading\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Orders1-02.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"2068\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/10\/Orders1-02\/3781759288.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"fiv-ctrls\">\n\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"fiv-prev\" title=\"Prev\"><span>Prev<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t<label class=\"fiv-count\"><span class=\"fiv-count-current\">1<\/span>of<span class=\"fiv-count-total\">48<\/span><\/label>\n\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"fiv-next\" title=\"Next\"><span>Next<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next page&#8230;<\/p><p><!--nextpage--><\/p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1083-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P02.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P02.mp3\">https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P02.mp3<\/a><\/audio>In the Centre County jail, B2 block is what the inmates refer to as the &#8220;Chet&#8221; block. I&#8217;m not sure where the name originates, but it relates to inmates charged with sexual offenses, especially involving minors. Inmates mercilessly harass these inmates in other blocks. In addition to the &#8220;Chets,&#8221; the block usually contains older, more mature inmates like me who did not have the urge to harass these people. B2 was one of the blocks I liked the most as the overall maturity level was much higher than in other blocks. B2 is also where I met the people charged with some of the worst offenses. I met two men who are now serving life sentences for killing their wives. Although their crimes were severe and violent, the jail deemed them to pose no threat to other inmates, which they did not. They were both over 50 and some of the most passive and engaging people with whom to talk. I cannot recall any &#8220;fights&#8221; happening in this block or much turmoil at all.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The only other block of note I was in was the &#8220;work release&#8221; block. As an inmate there for a PFA violation, I was not allowed on work release, and there were only a few inmates in the block that left the jail each day to go to a job. A couple of guys did landscaping, and another guy worked in an appliance repair shop. From what I could gather, the inmates allowed to leave for work had all negotiated this with the district attorney long before they were to start their sentences. They had to obey all jail rules, including no alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking when out on work release. They would frequently get tested when they arrived back at the jail.<\/p>\r\n<p>The vast majority of inmates in this block either did work in the jail, did work for the county such as mowing grass and removing brush, or worked for a company called Centre Peace. Inmates were paid $1 per day for these jobs. The female work release inmates mowed the grass around the jail and washed vehicles. After a female inmate got pregnant while working at Centre Peace, they were no longer allowed to work there. Whoever was supposed to be supervising them wasn&#8217;t monitoring things as closely as they were supposed to be, or maybe they were monitoring things <em>far<\/em> too closely. The jobs around the jail were primarily in the kitchen, where inmates prepared all meals. Other inmates worked in the laundry, which washed sheets, blankets, and the uniforms and towels of the inmates in blocks that did not have a washing machine. They may also have laundered the guards&#8217; uniforms. There were also usually one or two inmates that helped with maintenance around the jail.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next page&#8230;<\/p><p><!--nextpage--><\/p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1083-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P03.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P03.mp3\">https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P03.mp3<\/a><\/audio>Centre Peace is an unusual and somewhat controversial business. It is a non-profit that obtains, restores, and resells household items, mostly furniture. Most things are donated, and it is not clear if they purchase anything from what I can tell. I believe someone who had frequently been in jail the business started the business. They seem to be making pretty good money as they recently moved into a building built just for them. I suspect this was a way to spend the money they&#8217;d accumulated and stay a non-profit. Documents they must file as a non-profit show the directors of the business also make quite a bit of money.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The controversy comes from getting essentially free labor from the inmates. While other employees work there, the inmates do most of the labor, from picking up and delivering furniture to doing restorations. Other used furniture and reclaimed goods businesses compete with Centre Peace but do not get free labor. Many inmates say they won&#8217;t work for Centre Peace because it feels like slavery, but when given a chance, they always take it. While the pay is terrible, they at least get to be outside and doing something.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For some reason, during my two months in this block, I was never assigned to any of these jobs. I believe there was a jail policy stating that it would not house anyone with pending charges in the work release block. The stalking charges were pending at the time for me, and I believe I was only assigned to this block because one of the counselors did me a favor. However, this did not mean that I was allowed to work outside the block. Thus, for the last month in this block, I was one of two &#8220;trustees.&#8221; Each block has two trustees who do all the block&#8217;s laundry, pass out meals, and clean the block&#8217;s common areas each day after the jail locks down the block for the night. On B2, the trustees were the two wife killers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work release blocks&#8211;there was also one for the women&#8211;were somewhat different from the rest. I suppose you could say they were the &#8220;minimum security&#8221; blocks. It was more of a dormitory-style of housing in which there were partitioned units, each with four beds and four lockers. These units did not have doors and were much like what you may have seen in Orange Is the New Black but with walls that went all the way to the ceiling. As with all other blocks, there were two levels with a balcony on the second level overlooking the first level. Inmates not assigned a unit on the second level were not allowed to be up there. Somebody had recently tied one end of a sheet to the railing and the other end around his neck. Because he jumped out, away from the barrier, and not straight down, he wound up swinging and did not break his neck. Other inmates successfully lifted him so he could breathe until the guards came. Those inmates were initially issued misconduct for interfering with the guards.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another big difference between the work release and other blocks is the locations of the guards. There was a single guard in each of the regular blocks and a second guard in a booth that oversaw two blocks and the entrance portals. In the work release blocks, the guards were not in the block itself but had a desk just outside the door in the hallway. One guard oversaw the male and female work release blocks and a third &#8220;PRIDE&#8221; block. The PRIDE block housed inmates in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs and mirrored the men&#8217;s work release block.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each minimum security block also had a shared bathroom, such as you would find in most dormitories. They did not have recreational or project areas like the other blocks and no computer for legal research. Each day inmates could go to one of the other blocks for an hour of recreation, and there was a computer in the hallway outside the block to do legal research. Inmates did puzzles on the counter-space near the long tables used for eating, reading, and primarily for playing cards. A final nice thing about the work release blocks was that there were genuine windows on the second floor that let in some natural light if you were allowed to be up there.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Say something about not being able to leave the blocks&#8230;<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next page&#8230;<\/p><p><!--nextpage--><\/p><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1083-4\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P04.mp3?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P04.mp3\">https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Intermission-1083-P04.mp3<\/a><\/audio>I think the atmosphere in county jail is probably more relaxed than in state prison, and I never once felt threatened while there. Once inmates realized I was reasonably intelligent, they seemed to be intimidated by me, as it is much easier to get away with psychologically intimidating someone than threatening them physically.<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest problem with county jails and why inmates awaiting sentencing were so eager to get to state prison is that there is nothing to do. Because inmates should only be there for a relatively short time, there are no educational or training programs besides one for getting your GED. There is no outdoor recreational area, no area for weight lifting, and only one television per block. At state prisons, inmates will typically have a television in their cell and plenty of other things to do to keep them occupied.<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Besides not being able to see my children, the worst part of jail was the boredom. It would be great if you could sleep all day every day, but that doesn&#8217;t work. My time in jail was also very stressful because there were always other legal things going on for me, and getting anything done was next to impossible. Anyone that says preparing a defense from jail does not hamper the defendant has never tried to do so. While the attorney is not incarcerated, defendants are at their mercy when the attorney comes to see them. Plus, if you want to be actively involved in your defense, there is very little you can do. It gets very frustrating. I think defense attorneys like it when their clients are in jail because the time they spend with the client is necessarily limited.<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thus, being bored and frustrated sums up my time in jail. To keep busy, I did a great deal of legal research, prepared many of my legal documents, read many books, and wrote many letters, essays, and notes. I also did some academic research while there. Do this research was interesting because it was like doing research centuries ago before computers, calculators, or even slide rules.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The jail did not have a stocked commissary like you often see in movies. I&#8217;m not sure if this is common or not.\u00a0 Instead, there was a list of items with unique numeric identifiers.\u00a0 You would use the telephone system to enter your order by keying in the identifier and quantity.\u00a0 Inmates could place orders [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1083","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1083"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3069,"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1083\/revisions\/3069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unstablefocus.mynetgear.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}