The room we share is divided into two principal areas by a red line painted on the ground. One side of the line is the "day room" - so named I suppose since we're not allowed on that side during the night - and the other side is simply the not-the-day-room side. The day room contains the tables we sit at to eat, play cards, and watch T.V. Of course if you also want to listen to the T.V. you need to stand over in front of it. There is space around the edges of the room for walking laps around the room. Some do this for exercise while others do it out of boredom. The ceiling has four skylights which allow us at least a glimpse of the outside world. Along the walls is the T.V., three phones, and three video monitor stations through which we can visit with our visitors.
The not-the-day-room side of the line is divided into two tiers, each a mirror of the other. Each tier is divided into two sections by a central set of three toilet stalls and two shower stalls. Each section has six, two-person bunks, for a total of twelve people per section and forty-eight people in total. Each bunk has two boxes underneath - one for each person - that belongings can be locked up in. The mattresses are . . . wait, what mattresses? Oh, those are considered mattresses? Well they hardly bear describing since, to be fair, there's hardly anything there to describe.
On a positive note, I don't have to worry about meals. Well, I should clarify that. I don't have to worry about planning my meals - the menu is conveniently predetermined - but worry about whether it would be advisable or not to actually ingest some of the menu choices is a daily exercise in judgement. Luckily for me, my relations have been good enough to supply funds with which I can purchase various junk foods from the commissary. The commissary menu is, to put it kindly, lacking. But it's better than nothing, especially considering the regular meal plan menu.
The daily schedule, while provided free of charge, is also mandatory. Our time is generally ours to do with as we please, with the exception of the regularly scheduled events which I will now enumerate, list, or disclose - at my discretion - for your benefit. By way of disclaimer though, I never said exactly - or even vaguely - what that benefit might be.
The fun begins each day at 4:00 a.m. for those who wish to shave. We are not allowed to keep a razor, but one is provided for us at 4:00 a.m. if we elect to get up and use it. We're given about thirty minutes to do our business before we're required to give it back. Everyone has their own razor which is replaced once a week. We're just not allowed to personally hold onto it, probably for fear that we would shave at, say, a reasonable hour, heaven forbid.
At 6:00 a.m. is standing head count, where we are required to stand on our feet while our heads are counted. I think it's probably to ensure that there is no spontaneous mitosis occurring. You may find the very idea suspect, but I would have to remind you that you haven't eaten here.
At 6:15 a.m. it's time for med pass. This is when various controlled substances are distributed to those who qualify. I myself am currently taking advantage of a little miracle pill, zantac.
At 6:30 a.m. is tray pass, otherwise known as breakfast on the outs - as in, not in here. Out meals are brought to us pre-dished out onto trays. Lunch tray pass comes at 11:00 a.m. and dinner tray pass at 5:00 p.m.
At 10:00 a.m. is mail pass where such mail as wasn't denied for obscure and often creative reasons is passed out to those lucky few who won the daily mail lottery. We all play with varying degrees of success. I am blessed to often come up a winner. Those responsible know who they are but shall remain unnamed here to encourage competition among those who wish to maintain or increase their standing in the mail volume ratings. Prizes for overachievers may or may not be involved, not to mention bragging rights and unquantified prestige.
From 2:45 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. is lock-down for a clerk shift change. 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. is lock-down for guard shift change and another standing head count, followed by another med pass at 7:00 p.m. During lock-downs we are required to remain on the bunk side of the line. At 10:30 p.m. we lock-down for the night. And the cycle begins again.
In addition to the everyday scheduled events, we have some others that only occur on specific days. Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m. is change out. This is where we get to strip down, let the guards inspect us, and then are given new clothes - well, not new, but supposedly cleat at least (supposedly) - and new bedding. Also our bunks and boxes are searched for contraband - a mysterious substance with no clear definition. on Wednesdays the book cart rolls in at some point. On Friday at 9:00 a.m. we have inspection where our areas are checked for cleanliness and again for contraband. If we pass inspection, we are rewarded with a "scooby snack" which is some type of Little Debbie snack. Also on Friday at 7:00 p.m. we get to watch a movie. If we're luck it will be a new release. We're usually not lucky.
I spend my in between time reading, sleeping, and playing cards or other board games. WE have Scrabble, Monopoly, and Chess. Card games we play consist of Hearts, Spades, Pinochle, and Texas Hold 'Em. I am currently on my forty-fourth book since arriving.
Welcome to my life. <.sigh>
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