I Went to Jail!

Yesterday I got to go to jail.  Yes...when I got there, the lady asked why would anyone want to go to jail? Well, you see, I had committed this heinous crime, and I could do community service, or go to the "Hilton" of jails.  Okay, just kidding (if you haven't figured that out already).  I was there on a tour with an interest group.  Apparently, the jail I went to was the "Hilton" of jails because it has one of the best healthcare/facilities of all the jails in the country.  Isn't that nice?

Buzz Westfall Justice Center

We had to read this info sheet that was for medical students who wanted to rotate there, and there were some pretty funny things like:

Cosmetics: Make-up should be complementary to skin tone and not in extreme contrast to the complexion. This includes foundation, blush, eye shadow, lipstick, etc.

I guess it makes sense security has to be tight...but make-up?  Really?

Anyhow, apparently this jail has had some pretty high profile people ranging from people who didn't pay their parking tickets to murderers.  Every door we went through had to be unlocked from a secured area that had one way mirrors.  And for us to go open the next door, we had to wait for the previous door to close and lock.  The visiting rooms really are just like those in the movies - thick plexiglass like material + a phone.  And the building is designed so there's no way for visitors to contact the inmates.

We checked out the infirmary - and apparently only 130 or so jails have infirmaries that are certified/up to par in the U.S.  There was a psych ward and a general medicine ward.  There were two negative pressure rooms for patients who might have TB or other airborne diseases.  And there was one rubber room that is literally all covered with a thick rubber for the really out of control.  There were two chairs for strapping out of control people in - but apparently those were rarely used.  Considering the huge percent of inmates who have psychiatric disorders, it was impressive that only 3 had committed suicide in the last 10 years.

We visited a pod - which is a central room that was surrounded by cells on two floors.  People have free time to come out from their cell and interact in the central room, and I believe they get at least 1 hr in the rec area/day.  There are also classes held for people in the CHOICE program, which is to get people off drugs/alcohol.  I hear they are required attendance, or else they go to prison.  During the time when everyone is out in the center, there's only one guard.  But apparently if he presses a button, within 10 seconds, a bunch of guards would come.  Our guide, the medical doctor, said he felt so safe at the jail that he actually prefers working at the jail compared to the city clinics because the clinics are so chaotic and boisterous.

We also visited a woman's pod, where the upper level has the highest security cells.  As we went up, the inmates stared at us - probably wondering why we were dressed so nicely, and why we would in our right minds want to go check out a cell.  Anyhow, we actually got to go into one of the high security cells.  It was very bare with a bed, a mat, a ledge for a table, and a sink-and-toilet-in-one.  There were no chairs b/c they could be used as weapons.  These single cells were meant for the troublesome inmates who don't behave.  They get one hour out of their cell a day, and one book or magazine, if it's subscribed to them.  They are also fed through a slot in the door.  But the good thing is there's a TV in the center of the pod that they might be able to see through a window.

The whole tour was quite eye-opening.  I really had no idea what to expect when I was going in, and even still, I'm not sure I quite understand what goes on in there.  It's like a whole different social structure.  Some of the inmates may have a higher status and can request certain rooms, while others who are more boisterous have to be sequestered.  Meanwhile, some can be put to work within the jail to help with cooking, laundry, etc.  And yet others, like child molesters have to kept in smaller pods, not so much because they are dangerous to others, but they are often in danger themselves.  Anyhow, I'm glad I got to see a glimpse into our justice system.