How long have you been inside? This time week and 1/2

How many court appearances have you had? 1 so far.

How many times have you talked to your lawyer? None yet.

What is the situation regarding your charge? (Awaiting sentencing, awaiting trial, awaiting appearance, etc.?) awaiting sentencing.

Have you been ever been ‘disciplined’ in your time at DCDC, either individually or as part of a group? Tell about it. Last time I was here, yes. Both myself because I did not return back to my cell at lock quick enough. I was helping clean up. The C.O. told me to leave it for other people to do it. As a group, several of the inmates were acting a fool, being loud and disrespectful so the C.O. keep us locked for breakfast the next morning. 

What in your opinion are the biggest problems with the DCDC? The food is bland, no able to get to the library more, and then only have 20 minutes to look for book (one). Unless you have been locked up more than a year. 

If you could express one largest grievance, what would it be? I have two: Food and Library.

Does anyone visit you at DCDC? What are their biggest problems with the DCDC? No I have no family here. My mom and grandma passed away. My dad and sister live in other states. 

We have heard many complaints about medical services at the jail. What is your opinion of health services? This time I have none. Last time it took an act of congress to get something done, and then they charge you $10.00 if it was a non-medical emergency. 

We have heard numerous complaints about food. What is your opinion about the nutritional value and taste of the food? The food is bland and now they serve our food in styrofoam. I know some of the inmates cannot have some stuff due to allergy, medical reasons. But when we get oatmeal or grits every morning along with some type of seasons off. I know only those with diet trays get milk last time everyone got milk. 

What is your opinion of library / educational services to prisoners at the jail? We could use more time in the library cause as for myself I love to read and I can go through a book pretty quickly and unless you have been here more than a year you only get to checkout one book at a time. 

What do you think of the c.o.’s? They are doing their job. Some you can talk to. Some you can not. I myself do not have a problem with them. 

How do you get along with other prisoners? For the most part OK. 

How do jail staff affect your ability to get along with fellow prisoners? Some of the inmates might think you are an informer. 

What, if any, are some of the good experiences you have had at DCDC? It gives me time to reflect on my charges, not so much as to think what I can do different so not to caught next time. But for me, what do I need to do to stay out of jail and while I’m in here it tells me who my friends are. 

Have you ever made a complaint or filed a grievance with jail authorities? If so, what happened? While I was out I found out I have a pinched nerve in my neck. So with only one mat that is tore up and looks like it has been through the mill, I ask for a 2nd mat. I have to wait till the doctors approve it, which sucks. 

Have you ever started a petition or signed a petition regarding things happening at DCDC? No.

Some DCDC prisoners have suggested the idea of a prisoners council that would participate in making decisions about things at the jail. What do you think of such an idea? I think it is a good idea. For the ones that have been here a while. 

How could it work? What would it look like? Get inmates that have been here awhile, and lease 6 month on (unreadable) for council. As to how it would work only time will tell. You don’t want more than 6 on the council. . 

What circumstances on the outside led to you being locked up? How common do you think those kind of circumstances are?  Lost job and place to stay. Too common. 

What have you noticed about being inside (who is here? Why are they here?) Mostly young black men, and some latino, some young, some old. In my pod there is 5 white guys here. As to why, mostly drugs, armed robbery, b &e. 

In your opinion is there a relationship between race and incarceration? What is it? In here it seems that way. Cause there is not enough education for the young people. 

What does social class or economics have to do with getting locked up? Those that are lower middle class or lower seem to be the ones getting locked. Cause if you have money you don’t stay locked up. 

What do you think is the point of jail? Prison? The justice system? What do you think people on the outside think about people who are locked up? It is supposed to help rehabilitate people, jail that is, with short term crimes. But now it is a money maker. Prison, somewhat the same as a jail but on a larger term scale. Except for those that commit violent crimes and for these that commit murder I believe in the death penalty. The justice is not perfect. But does need work. If you can afford a good lawyer you can stay out of jail. 

What do you think are the possibilities for living in a different kind of world, and how do we get there? Till people can get past skin color not going to happen!!