The following is an account of a typical day in a medium security institution. While all institutions will have a slightly different routine, they all follow the same basic pattern.
Our cell doors clip open around 7:07 a.m. Then they start calling down units to breakfast two at a time. We rotate from going last to first over a six-day period, as there are 12 units. We get back from breakfast at 8 a.m. Then at 8:30 they call movement for work, school, and programs. This is when I clean my bathrooms when scheduled. Then I go to the chapel, where each day of the week an activity is usually happening. At 10:30 a..m. we are called back to our cells. At 10:50 a.m., they lock us up until lunch. At 11:50 a.m. the cells click open. Meal line is called. We get back to our unit around 12:30 pm.m Again, movement is called for work, school and programs. If an inmate has no work, school or program, they are confined to the unit. Or they can go to chapel. Then at 3:30 p.m. everyone goes back to their units. At 4:15 p.m. we are locked up. Stand to count. Then at 4:55 our cell doors click unlocked. Meal line called for supper. Back at 5:30 pm.m Recreation is called at 6 pm.m The jail is divided in half. Unit 1-6 are group 1. Units 7 – 13 are group 2. From 6 – 7:45, one group is inside and the other outside. Then lockup at 8 pm for stand to count, then 8:15 – 9:45 the groups switch. We alternate who is first each day. It keeps days interesting and not so stuck at set times.
