Broward County Jail

Leisure Time

Interview with James and Charles


JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
James: In psych (North Broward) almost none, I think 3 hours a week of recreation, Spiritual cell (Conte.) was mandated to 3 1/2 hrs a day minimum religious studies/groups M-Fr., Main Jail 4 fl. nothing. All dorms had tv's. Books were very hard to come by except religious ones. Sleep was my best friend.
Charles: Broward? Radio, chess set, checkers, cards. TV Palm beach? We made our dominoes out of "slides" (sandals they give u) chess set out of slides, chckers out of slides. Cards were the ones handed out by probation, with 1800 tips on them. Just got cable TV finally in W6 when I left.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce?
James: What a joke for White/Hispanics. It was always channel 33, and Maurey/Jerry Springer in the a.m.
Charles: If you made it its yours, in broward no competition.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
James: You could do sit ups, push ups, or dips.
Charles: If your inventive its not a problem.

JM: How often did you get to go outside?
James: At Sherriffs N., and Conte everyday, but outside is an enclosed concrete room, with window unviewable, and a concrete roof. At N. Broward twice a week for 1 1/2 hours. Main 2 and 4 floors, never.
Charles: Broward? twice a week. Palm beach? Never

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
James: A religous person(s) came weekly for Christians. Once a month for Jews, and Muslims. The Chaplain supplied Old/New Testament Bibles.
Charles: Good Jewish services all the way around.