King County Jail

Leisure Time

Interview with Jenna and Mel

JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Jenna: T.V., books, magazine, cards, some board games, yard time (basketball) and some meetings.
Mel: Most of the Dorms had no TV's. they had been broken and removed. AA was offered once a week, and every once in a while Non denominational church services were offered. Once a week you could go to "yardout", basically a large gym with a basketball hoop, and a chinup bar.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce?
Jenna: No. We scheduled times for the T.V., there is a list that you have to get to quick to watch your show. Everything else was up in the air, you pretty much did what other people were not using. Although when they come around for volunteers for classes you would have to be quick, or run to get out of the cell.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Jenna: There not much time out of the cell, you get 1or 2 days in the yard (a concrete basketball court). I tried walking laps around the cell, but some cells are very small. But you can do sit-ups and jumping jacks, but the floors are still dirty.
Mel: yes.

JM: How often did you get to go outside?
Jenna: Once or twice a week.
Mel: once a week.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Jenna: Yes. It's basically a volunteer group that comes in, you sit in a circle in a room and they say what they came to say. We prayed together and got to ask them questions, that is always good when someone else is praying for you.
Mel: Yes. once a week, non denominational, and catholic.