county jails

[skooooo]

Sadly, a young relative of mine is probably going to end up doing some time in the county jail. Tried to steal some stuff, and now has a felony charge. 19 years old. I wrote him and told him I would try to send a letter every week or so.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight as to what his experience would be like, and what kinds of things might be good to tell him. Any insights, or even anyone who is in a similar circumstance who'd like to comiserate...?

[xmas74]

1. county jail is not too bad.

tell him to behave himself and maybe he can become a trustee.
Trustee can get extras that the others can't (cigarettes, tv time, relaxed schedule). I worked in a jail for a couple of years. Our trustees helped in the kitchen, cleaned offices and bathrooms, washed the patrol cars, etc.
The jailors treated the trustees well. They joked around with them and gave them advice (mainly "I don't want to see you back here again."). Tell him to do his time and stay out of trouble. One of the jailors, if they like him, might know someone and recommend him for a job later on(this happened often at my jail. They'd tell a friend that the man/woman was a good person who had done one bad thing and would help them w/ job searches after they got out).

[skooooo]

2. Thanks..

I'll keep that in mind. I'm so in shock that this has happened to him. :-( It's a small county jail, so he's pretty safe.

It must be really boring all the time though? Mostly just sitting around?

[xmas74]

3. Depends on the jail.

Many will let them have appropriate reading material. They get exercise time.
If he's smart he'll ask a family member to pay for a correspondence course to study (w/ the jail's permission). If you have to serve the time might as well do something productive.

[skooooo]

4. excellent idea...

Thanks again.

[xmas74]

5. No prob.

Make sure you clear it first w/ the officials.