Harris County Jail

Inmates

Interview with Julie, Inmate's Sister, Houston, Claire, Jim, Inmate's Mom, DK, Smyth and Ken

JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates?
Julie: No i stayed to myself spent most of the time sleep
Inmate's Sister: my brother is in jail were he do not supposed to be and an innocent man got every right to be angry but one thing he tell's me he have faith in GOD and he will try his best to avoid every fight with anyone who has a problem with him just so he can come home.
Houston: Not really, keep to yourself. If you are going to act ghetto, you will get the same in return. Also, the women that were there for a while somehow were "better than you". Some kind of criminal heirarchy.
Claire: No, not at all. I was lucky in that. Most of the other women in my pod were fairly easygoing, and I guess they could also tell that was my first time really spending time in there. Most of the women in my pod were there on probation violations, so they weren't too eager to mess up further and really jeopardize their situations by fighting or causing trouble.
Jim: Not really. Sometimes there are those who wont shower. Never had a prob with anyone stealing. Deputies sometimes let the inmates handle that themselves when someone is caught. It gets tiring listening to other inmates talk about their cases and how innocent they are.
Inmate's Mom: He got along fine with others in the holding cell. But there was a poor man who was clearly severely mentally ill who was beaten by others in the holding cell because of his erratic behavior.
DK: only over phones
Smyth: Yes.. the less room you give humans, the more aggresssive they become.
Ken: I was sent to a location for non-violent offenders. It was a black band facility called Little Baker.

JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates?
Julie: Keep my mouth shut it was mostly mexicans vs. black
Inmate's Sister: he will write me and tell me about the situation and ask me to pray for him, and also tell the other person "quote" his words that I do not want to be in here,I didnt ask to be here and I don't want no problems with anyone.
Claire: Like I stated before, there never really was any threat of fights or altercations as far as I was concerned. The only fight that I can recall was when one of the inmates was about to cook some Ramen noodles when she got called down for a visit. She had one of the other ladies put them on for her, and I guess she wasn't paying attention because one of the other inmates got hold of them and ate them. So when that particular inmate returned from her visit, she was like, "Where is my soup?" The girl that was supposed to have been watching them looked up and said that they were there when she had last looked (she hadn't, as far as I knew). I hadn't been paying attention at all, but then one of the other inmates pointed at this one chick and said, "She ate them." There obviously is no honor among thieves. It was pretty much on from there. All I can see now is the inmate (I'll call her Sara) pulling the girl who stole her soup off of her top bunk and kicking the crap outta her. I was rather shocked, because Sara was usually very quiet and sweet, but I guess those are the ones you have to watch out for.
Jim: I just kept to myself most the time. You try not to comment on anyone's case. There are lots of these jailhouse lawyers too. Just dont walk in with a chip on your shoulder trying to be "Johnny Badass"
DK: none
Smyth: Ignore them, don't look at them, don't talk to them, stay to yourself.
Ken: Mind your own business. Avoid discussing your issues with others. Keep conversation on friendly topics. Do what you're told and don't talk too much.

JM: Were you able to choose an inmate if you knew one?
Julie: NO
Inmate's Sister: no
Houston: No
Claire: No, and frankly, after spending two or three days in holding with the same women, I was ready for a change in scenery.
Jim: I dont underatand this question
DK: don't associate with people
Smyth: No.. stay uninvolved.
Ken: No