Dallas County Jail

Inmates

Interview with Charles, m ray, Leon, Jean, Accountant, Hot attorney, Gene, Lil Will and Cam

JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates?
Charles: In general no, I am pretty easy going. That being said, there are always people whom you will not be able to get along with, but for the most part it is manageable. Just keep in mind, jail is a hard place for anyone to be, so everyone is on edge.
m ray: kinda of but not really u make as hard as u want
Leon: Sometimes some of the other inmates can be difficult to get along with.
Jean: Not really because I'd been there before. It's kind of ironic, because this last stint that I did at Dallas County, I did 6 months or 7 months or whatever it was, but I only did 30 days in State Jail because the county held me all that time. The State didn't get my money - the county did. I was supposed to initially serve 18 months in State Jail, but I only did 30 days, that's how long the County kept me through all the process. I got all my back time, but through the process, I ended up serving a hundred and fifty days in County Jail.

You learn your way around. It's hard for some girls, but I'm pretty street tough. If you run from probation as long as I did, you're not scared; however, when I got picked up at the border, I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I had gone across the border to party and drown my sorrows, but when I got to the county jail, they put me in the infirmary, so you're not dealing with what you would normally. Normally, you would be in a populated area of 55-60 women, but when you're in the infirmary, it's like 20 or 25 women.
Accountant: Not really, it was so surreal for me, that I didn't really talk to anyone. The only difficult people to deal with were the staff..........
Hot attorney: No. My cellmate was a great guy who showed me the ropes. I am Hispanic but was surrounded by brothers. I have no problem with the brothers. At intake, there was one angry man in a single cell and he was banging on the door and yelling, "Who's the first wetback from Europe"? I saw a fight for the free telephone. It seemed like a few of the guys wanted to play warded and con. I kept thinking I was too damn sexy for this place.
Gene: No, but I know what to do in jail. Just sit in your cell and do the time. A lack of communication with other inmates is the best thing in jail. Some people in there can be dangerous if you just look at them wrong.
Lil Will: Back in the 90s they had the shit way overcrowded and if you dont want to sleep by the shitter you have to put on your guns. People sleepin and stepin all over each other and fights all the time. Now its not as crowded you just mind your own and keep you mouth shut and mostly no probem.
Cam: no.

JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates?
Charles: I really didn't do anything special, just kinda kept too myself and wasn't rude to anyone.
m ray: not pay any mind to that tv thats problems for sure and only assicate with a few people but stay cool for the most part with everyone until u get disrespected or something
Leon: Sometimes you have to let things that are said go even when you don't want to. Television and basketball seem to start more fights than anything.
Jean: Yeah, well, black people are pretty tough. They all thing they're still toting switch blades, and it seems like the girls that are users and the girls that are prostitutes - of course that's hand in hand - they're pretty tough to get along with. They're always trying to bum your commissary or what's left on your tray if you don't eat it. They're always up on you, all the time. In General Population, you have 50-60 bunks in every cell block.
Accountant: Most people seemed to have been caught up with their own issues, so no one was arguing/fighting.
Hot attorney: Try to fit in.
Lil Will: Dont avoid fights in jail unless you a punk. Dont go looking for them but dont let nobody put you in check either.
Cam: Mind my own business and respect other inmates as i would like to be respected. Avoid playing Cards, Dice and other gambling games that could cause a disagreement.

JM: Were you able to choose an inmate if you knew one?
Charles: No, the most choice you will ever have in regard to your housing assignment will be what cell you want if you are placed in a tank with one man cells.
m ray: i dont get what ur saying
Leon: No.
Jean: Hell no! You don't get to choose your friends! There are 50-60 women, but, in general population, everyone has a room, and they lock you down at night. You have your own bed and your own toilet, but it's still in general population. It depends on the tower you're in. Some of them aren't like that. Some of them are just wide open gymnasiums with beds. Others are more private. You'll got there for different reasons - if you get in trouble, or you can't get along with other inmates. You don't want to go there, though.
Accountant: No
Cam: no.