Contra Costa County Jail

Leisure Time

Interview with Tom


JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Tom: There are 3 or 4 t.v.s on every module the offer educational programs. There is a small recreation yard on each module. There is a library with plenty of books on each module plus a large main library for the entire building. You can play cards or chess. There is not a whole lot to do but there is stuff to do if you try hard enough.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce?
Tom: Each race or gang pretty much has there own phones, tvs and tables so the competition is usually only for those who do not belong to a gang or who are timid. If you are not in a gang or are weak it could be hard to use the phone or watch tv. There are all kinds of inmate established rules and regulations enforced by the gangs which makes it really rough on those not affiliated

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Tom: There is not much time to exercise out of your own cell unless you are on the trustee module or a worker of some sort on a regular module. However you can pretty much exercise at will in your own cell. It is not hard to stay in shape if you have the will and desire to do so.

JM: How often did you get to go outside?
Tom: On regular modules you get to go outside for an hour to 3 a day depending on how cool the deputy working on your module is. T module you are pretty much allowed out of your cell all day, whether it be working at your job or recreational.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Tom: Church is held on each module weekly. You can also send a request to see the chaplain at any time and as schedule permits they will come talk to you. Usually there will be a sign up list to request to go to church and it will be held either in a vacant room on the perimeter of the module or on the recreation yard