Inmate Interactions

JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates?
Shawn: Sometimes; When you have so many different personalities in 1 area sharing 1 TV (approx. 50 inmates per block) and 4 telephones, you are bound to have conflicts over food, which television programs will be seen, or the telephones.

JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates?
Shawn: I did a lot of reading and I exercised.

JM: Did you have any fights, confrontations, or negative experiences with another inmate? If so, would you be willing to share it?
Shawn: Yes, My negative experiences were over the television. There was system in place were if an inmate wanted to watch a particular program, he would have to place an index card near the TV to reserve that program. I wanted to watch the boxing on ESPN. I placed the card on the TV day prior to watch the program; however, the next day the Boxing event was scheduled to come on at eight pm. One inmate decided that at seven pm he would put the basketball game on. I really did not have a problem with this as long he knew that he would not be able to watch the entire game. At eight pm I turned to the channel where the boxing was being shown and the guy stated to me that he did not want me to turn because he had bet money on the basketball game. I did not take well to this because I had reserved the TV at this time. Needless to say, there was pushing, shoving, and punches thrown. Several inmates intervened and we watched the boxing.

JM: Were you able to choose an inmate if you knew one?
Shawn:Normally you do not choose who you share your cell with; however, if you had a cellmate that may have been shipped out to another institution or released, you could inform another inmate of your choosing that you have an open bunk available.

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