Question #1
How are you doing?

A: I’m doing as well as anyone can. The first few days were very traumatic and shocking. I’m doing better and getting the hang of it. I’m learning different ways to cope with it.

Question #2
What did you do on your first day?

A: I checked myself in on 9/24/09 at 2pm. They gave you a psych evaluation. After I went got my prison clothes, ate dinner, then was showed to my bunk where I cried myself to sleep.

Question #3
Who was the first person you called?

A:  Well it took me a week before I was able to make any calls. That was by far the hardest thing ever. Not being able to talk to your family… But I called my mother in law and grandparents.

Question #4
How many people do you share a room with?

A: My room is called a “bus stop.”  There are 6 bunk beds so 12 of us in one room. It’s loud and depressing. Lights go out at 10pm.

Question #5
What do you do on a typical day?

A: I wake up around 5:45am. Breakfast is at 6am. Your bed is made before you leave, military style.  I put my greens on, eat, come back by 6:15am. Do laundry. Lunch is at 11:30am. Mail and call outs are at 3:30pm. Then dinner is at 5pm. Between eating I have a job as an orderly and some days I take the RPP classes or write. Other than that it is boring.

Question #6
What does prison look like?

A: I was supposed to go to a federal camp but instead the wonderful BOP decided they needed head count and put me here in cold Waseca, a low/medium security prison. There are bars on the windows and fences with barbed wire all around the prison. The floors are tile like in grade school. The walls are a grey/cream color or brick. Not a pretty sight at all. Very institution like.

Question #7
What is the first thing you are gonna do when you get out?

A: The first thing I’m gonna do is hug my dogs, buy a Starbucks and take a long hot bubble bath. The prison shower is gross, rusty and the water at Waseca has a weird odor.

Question #8
How is the food in prison?

A: The food is low scale cafeteria style. And I also learned you can make fried rice and wraps with a hot iron that you use to clean clothes.

Question #9
What have you learned from prison?

A: Don’t get in trouble with the federal government. They will break you if you piss them off. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Wear shower shoes and stay positive.