Milam County Jail

Leisure Time

Interview with Charlie and Don


JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Charlie: There is a tiny “legal library” with about 300 paperback books where inmates can request to go. Haircuts, given by trustees or other inmates, are done in the library as well. Commissary is sold twice a week and inmates can use any money on their “books” to purchase snack foods, hygiene items, underclothing, and small entertainment items such as puzzle books and playing cards. Church is usually held on Sunday in the exercise yards. All inmates can go to their exercise yard (one for males and one for females) for recreation twice a week; the only sports equipment available therein is a tennis ball to bounce against the walls. And as I mentioned before, there is a TV set in each tank.
Don: none

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce?
Charlie: Except for disciplinary cases, all inmates have equal access to recreation. But as I mentioned before, the choice of TV channel in the tanks is governed by the “tank boss” (longest-serving or baddest inmate) in that particular tank.
Don: competition

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Charlie: Yes. Most inmates put on a considerable amount of weight in jail due the highly starch-based food.
Don: yes

JM: How often did you get to go outside?
Charlie: Never.
Don: never

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Charlie: Yes. Church is held on Sundays in the exercise yards. Volunteer pastors from the community come in and minister to the inmates. Those inmates in isolation cells can request that a pastor be brought to their cell for ministration but they are not allowed out of their isolation cell for church. The jail accepts donations of Bibles and religious study material for dissemination to inmates.
Don: yes 2 times a week in the gym