Hillsborough County Jail

Leisure Time

Interview with Aaron and Jessica


JM: What types of facilities were available to help pass the time?
Aaron: A basketball net in a small outside area that was connected to our pod. There were two TV's as well on top of each large bookcase that we had in the pod.
Jessica: The central area had some tables and chairs to sit and talk or play cards.

JM: Did you have regular access to the entertainment or was competition fierce?
Aaron: Yes, when we weren't in lockdown. On the weekends we did have more local TV channels to watch than on the weekdays.
Jessica: I spent most of my time reading my my cell.

JM: Did you have a hard time staying in shape while in jail?
Aaron: No, because I didn't eat the junk food they had for sale and I kept myself active when I wasn't reading a book or watching TV. I did some speedwalking , basketball, and push-up routines. Normally I performed these activities with another inmate so I wouldn't get bored.
Jessica: There was no way to stay in shape other than doing pushups, squats, and so on.

JM: How often did you get to go outside?
Aaron: We could go outside anytime we weren't in lockdown or eating meals which was 7-8 hours a day and we could stay out there as long as we wanted.

JM: Did the jail offer church services? If so, what were they like and when were they held?
Aaron: Yes there were many church services that we could attend but I never did because the times that these were offered coincided with my normal exercise time.