What a Nice Jail!

photo of the Jail taken from OC Register

That statement seems a bit oxymoronic, but it was very nice compared to OCJ.  Visiting there was a pleasant experience, worth the extra drive.

The differences:

1)  It was CLEAN!  Even the bathrooms were clean.  Nothing smelled bad and I didn't feel like there were germs on every surface I came in contact with.

2) The guards/cops/employees were friendly, helpful and one even had a great sense of humor.  Didn't come in contact with anyone rude or snotty which is the norm at OCJ.

3) The visiting area was roomier and more private, each visiting booth really was like a booth not just one long row of metal stools.  OCJ you sit crammed in a small aisle with up to 40 other people.  The stools are so close together that you usually get accidentally elbowed or kicked by the person next to you as they get on or off  their stool.  Its very, very loud and stuffy.

4) As for the inmates - they actually get to walk outside in the SUNSHINE every time they go from one building to another,  There were plants and grass vs. only gray concrete!  The room K's in is big and spacious and has a WINDOW.  He now has the option of watching TV.  If  a deck of cards is worn to the point of being unable to shuffle - they give you a new deck.  They don't make you eat breakfast at 4:30 am (the food is still bad but they let you sleep till 6:00).

These are things we may take for granted, but for someone whose literally been behind bars  for over 60 days in a cramped cell,  rarely experiencing fresh air and warm sun, with two murders, a rapist and two gangbangers as cellmates,  this is a very welcome change.

As for K himself, he didn't smile at all today.  He said he was just tired but I sensed his anxiousness and also felt like something was bothering him.  He is already starting to worry that he will have another panic attack and pass out on his next court date.  This bothers me - what if he hit his head on the concrete floor?  He needs to be assessed by a doctor and have his meds checked, its not normal to pass out from panic.  The closer it gets to his transfer to PH, the longer the days are for him.  I am praying its in the next week or two.

In other news - got a letter from Ant today.  He is the "designated CD player" in his cell block.  They aren't allowed to have music so he sings to everyone and it cheers people up.  That's my boy - spreading joy wherever he goes  :)
P.S.  even though its a "nice" jail, its not as nice as FREEDOM and even though its safe, there was an inmate killed there (beaten to death) in July.