45 Days in County Jail

Day 3-April 29, 2007

Around 4:45 am I wake up to flashing lights. The fire alarm in the building is going off although we will not be let out unless a fire is confirmed. The alarm goes off, an announcement is made that it was a false alarm. Before breakfast the girl placed on suicide watch is given her clothes and belongings back. When 6 am finally arrives breakfast is served consisting of grits, bread, gravy, milk and Kool-aid. We are locked back after breakfast until 9 am. In jail everything doubles for something else. The toiled can serve as a refrigerator (I have no inclination to try this) because the bowl is metal and insulates the cold water. The toilet can also be used for conversations with the men downstairs if you empty all the water out. This, if you are caught, will result in a 30-day lockback. Toothpastes serves many uses as well including acne cream and adhesive. You can use toothpaste to hang items on the wall of your cell and when it dries it is like cement. The string from your laundry bag or the elastic from the top of a sock both make good hair ties as rubber bands are not allowed. Lunch arrives around 11:30 am and consists of meatball sandwiches, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, bananas, and Kool-aid. After lunch we are allowed to watch TV during which time I am informed that the women here think I am a spy. They claim I don't fit in well and they have never seen me on the street. They also question why I don't eat much food yet never seem hungry. These facts have led them to believe that I am a spy here to get them into more trouble. At 12:45 pm, we are locked back and stay in our rooms until 4 pm when we are called for dinner. It is rice, black-eyed peas, spicy chicken patties, bread, bananas, and Kool-aid. We are allowed to stay out until 6:45 pm during which time I called home. I cried for the first time while on the phone with my mom. I think that it's easier to be strong with strangers than it is with the people who know you. We are let back out again at 9 pm and remain out until 10:45 pm to spend the long night that will lead to...day 4.