this post was submitted on 19 Oct 2025
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I've seen/read plenty of media about being locked up in various types of jails and prisons. But, I'd like to hear some first hand accounts from people. How'd you pass the time, see anything rough, what country were you in, did you rehabilitate yourself, was there even opportunity to rehabilitate yourself?

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[–] A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 47 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Been in county jail in Tennessee a couple times. Two different counties.

In the first one there was a guard in the pod of 100ish inmates at all times. It was very boring. I read any books I could get, mostly Western cowboy smut like Slocumb to my dismay. I got a Quran once from some Black Muslims, that was interesting. Worst thing that happened in that jail was getting collaterally teargassed when an old guy wouldn't get off the phone. I was in there during the Super Bowl once though, that was actually pretty fun.

The other jail had smaller pods with no guards. Maybe 30ish people to a pod. No nurse on staff and a busted AC. One dude was withdrawing from heroin and booze and kept having seizures, they'd just move him to a different pod with AC for a bit. I made a paper chess set and we played cards. The bullies ran the TV so I had to watch that godawful American Sniper garbage one night, that annoyed me.

The second jail was where I detoxed from my last drink. It's been like 9 years or so now.

[–] Chippys_mittens@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Congrats on sobriety. Id love to hear more about the jail super bowl party lol.

[–] A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Thanks!

So, that pod was one big room with two floors of bunks around a central common area with one TV. The antenna was made of snack wrappers and unreliable. I think the game was Steelers v Seahawks. The whole day was full of people covertly betting or trying to "buy" one of the maybe 20 seats, which the guard was constantly battling. After the first hour or so, most people settled in more or less. My bunk was pretty close to the TV so I was able to watch from my cot. Suckers.

If I recall that Super Bowl sucked hard and most people went to bed annoyed 😅

[–] Chippys_mittens@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

Appreciate the story!

[–] NotSteve_@piefed.ca 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

One dude was withdrawing from heroin and booze and kept having seizures, they'd just move him to a different pod with AC for a bit.

Wtf so they were pretty much just letting him die? Alcohol withdrawals can kill you

Yup thats how it seemed. Dude had the gnarliest dead vein running down his arm too. That jail literally doesn't have medical facilities, I dont understand to this day why that's legal.

Im pretty sure he survived but it was a rough few days. I was drying out at the same time from a 0.308 BAC so I was just grateful it wasnt me =/

[–] Chippys_mittens@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

That's what it sounds like, brutal! I know alcohol withdrawal can straight up just kills you. But I've also heard of dehydration killing people withdrawing from opiates.