1. What is the process of entering jail? (someone tells me it feels like a doctors office in the beginning or something) Can I be with her until she enters the cell?
-Depending on if she is going to be arrested in court or is turning herself in. She’s an adult and needs to do this herself in my option.


2. How does going to jail affect the rest of your life? I mean my daughter is going to college and she was working at the book store there. Will she be able to go back and will she still be able to find work? This is county jail again not prison
-Depends on the crime she committed. If she’s charged with a felony, a lot of colleges don’t let you attend. (I’m a felon and was lucky to have found one in my state that does.) As for the job, it also depends on the charge. Personally it makes it hard to get one, even getting the job back that you had.

3. What stuff can she bring with her? What stuff is she required to bring with her?
-In my state you can’t take anything. But have her wear white under garments and socks. Then you would have to deposit money into her jail account for her to buy more under garments and socks. Also she’ll have to buy a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and things like that. They give you soap, shampoo, a bed and a blanket. Buying candy helps you make friends and get the upper hand on cellmates.


4. How does the visiting thing usually work? I heard it may take a month since she can get visits.
-This depends on the jail. Sometimes it’s weeks other times a month or so. Visitation is in order by block usually.



5. Do guards keep watch on the cell blocks with cameras even at night? What if some problem arises at night (like sickness or something) will there be someone to take care of it? Also, I assume, even places like showers are communal, are there guards on place to deal with any problem that might arise there (like if someone gets attacked/assaulted)
-A guard sits and watches everything through the glass in his/her office. Where I was a guard came through at midnight and three am. We were in bed at nine and up at six. My main block was respectful to each other and just serving their time, so one person would go to the shower at a time. When moved to a felony block you all go at once and some people try to cause problems but usually we had no problems.


6. Is there some kind of account that money is supposed to be put on? So she would have to buy the stuff she needs? (like toothbrushes and stuff)?. How much would you need for a five month sentence probably?
-Yes. It depends if you’re buying her phone minutes to call out. They add up quick! Plus pen and paper to write helps.

7. What are the questions they ask you when entering? I was hoping to tell her what to say
-Normal info like age and all. Also tattoos, you have to do fingerprinting a thousand times over it seems. And take a new mugshot.

8. What kind of advice should I give her before I drop her off?
-Don’t cry! If she feels down and is going to, think of something that made her pissed off, always worked for me. Make jail friends (ones you’re only friends with while in jail), but never trust anyone! Socializing helps people respect you. Jail was just a controlled vacation for me in my opinion. I just watched tv, played cards and worked out. Be nice to the guards even if you don't like them because they will take you into a separate room where no one can see and beat the crap out of you. Good luck proving it though!

-From what most people told me is that prison is easier than jail since you can go out into the yard and wonder around instead of being locked in one cell the whole time.



this is a county jail not prison, if that changes anything

is it also true that jail actually makes people worse criminals rather than making them not want to commit crimes again? I understand she needs to be punished, I am not try to defend her or anything and hope it will be a learning experience but not in that way

-You learn a lot in lock-up. It’s up to her if she turns her life around though after. In my opinion it’s not jails that make criminals, it’s our legal system! Th make it so life is more difficult on criminals with a record finding jobs and housing. Take a look at all the laws your local and state police get away with, or get a “slap” on the hand for doing. Our system now days is messed up and all about making the city or government money so don't believe different.