Mornings

The mornings are the worst. We wake up at 5 a.m., get up to brush our teeth and shave. Also we have to make our beds perfectly with a six-inch collar and 45-degree angles at the end of our beds. Of course, we can’t have any wrinkles in our beds.

After we finish making our beds and complete our hygiene, we just sit (not lay) on our beds and wait for breakfast. When we are called for breakfast, we go outside and line up. Once everyone is lined up, we march to breakfast. The chow hall is close, so we don’t have to march far. It’s only two buildings away. We go in and eat, and then line back up outside again. We only have about 10 minutes to eat our food.

Anyway, after we line up, we march back to our dorm where we get a five-minute cigarette break for those who smoke, then we go back inside where we sit on our bunks for the next hour and a half until 8 a.m. when the next [CO] shift comes on.

It seems like the mornings drag and it never seems like you get a full night’s sleep. A lot of times, I stay tired throughout the day and go to sleep really early. That’s the only way to get any decent sleep. Even then, you still have people waking you up until Lights Out. I just can’t wait to sleep in my own bed.

I forgot my ID

This morning started out like every other morning. I woke up, made my bed, brushed my teeth, shaved, then sat down and waited to go to breakfast. Even though I’m used to this morning routine, I forgot one thing. To bring my ID to breakfast.

Everywhere we go, we’re supposed to bring our IDs. I made it all the way to the chow hall before I realized my mistake. I knew the CO inside was going to notice and he did.

He asked me where my ID was. I said, “I forgot it in the dorm, sir.” Well, he didn’t look happy. He told me to go ahead and eat then added, “When you’re done, come see me.”

I got back in line, grabbed my tray and sat down to eat. When I finished my food, I put my tray away and went back to the CO. He said he was going to go easy on me. “Give me 50 pushups now and then later I’m gonna bring you something.” So I did my 50 pushups and left.

About an hour later, the CO came to my dorm and woke me up. He handed me a large piece of paper that simply said in big letters “MY ID” and told me to come outside.

I got dressed and followed him. He said, “Okay, here’s what I want you to do. I want you to hold this piece of paper that says “MY ID” at your chest and march around the compound yelling ‘I will not forget my ID’ over and over. Just keep marching until I tell you to stop.” So I did.

Keep in mind it’s about 6:30 in the morning and I’m barely awake. I marched around the compound three times and he finally told me to stop. He said, “Okay, you’re done for now, but if I ever ask you for that piece of paper that says “MY ID,” you’d better have it. I don’t care if it’s a week from now.” Then he let me go back to my dorm.

I felt so humiliated, but at least I’ll never forget my ID again!

Jail food

When you first come to jail, the worst part about it (besides being here) is the hunger.

A lot of people don't have money - or people to give them money - so that means they can't eat commissary food.

Sure, the jail feeds you, but if you only eat the meals the jail feeds you, you'll be left still hungry.

It sucks not being able to eat what you want, when you want.

The food you get for each meal is never any good - sometimes it's unrecognizable - and also the amount you get is a joke.

I'm a small person (119 lbs.) and if I could eat four trays of this food, imagine how hungry someone who's bigger than me feels.

The meals here only are enough to keep me from coming back! That's not even mentioning all the other reasons - which I won't get into - because I'm sure you've got some kind of plans for the next week!