This story was told by a person incarcerated at Todd Road Jail.
UCI: And how has the COVID situation been like there?
Caller: Well, kind of – I guess, kind of crappy, I guess –pretty much. In my section, we’re only allowed one or two hours out a day.
UCI: Have they been vaccinating everyone?
Caller: Yeah. As far as I know, no. They haven’t mentioned anything like that and I’ve been here about just over [redacted] actually, I’ve been here.
UCI: So how have you been co–
Caller:[Unintelligible] anybody or asked anybody. Oh, go ahead. I’m sorry.
UCI: Oh, I was going to ask you how have you been coping?
Caller: Well, just like – the good thing is I guess, you know, you can’t complain much. I’ve been grateful for things we do have. So, I have a tablet. So I read positive or I – I go to podcasts that are like – like you know, the Christian type things or spiritual enlightenment type things.
You know what I mean? Like a – the Jeero program or I mean Taro or Rick Warren or something. That’s how I’ve been staying positive. Reading a lot. Meditating, I guess.
UCI: And what has it been like for you to have reduced visitation and programming?
Caller: I’m sorry. Go ahead again.
UCI: How – how has the situation been like with reduced visitation and programming?
Caller: That – it’s not – I mean it could be worse but it could be better. I mean, I’m just trying to stay positive side but it’s – I mean, yeah. It sucks, I mean really, you know?
It’s called “hard timing” when you don’t have visits that are limited and communication is limited. But like I said, we have a iPad, so that helps a lot. So I guess, out of 10, it would be about a six.
UCI: What would make the situation better do you think?
Caller: Probably more dayroom hours. More than likely, because I don’t – we only get one or two hours. So, I would say a minimum of at least three — another hour. That would make it a lot better.
Increased visits, free phone time, that would be – because there’s a lot of people who don’t have you know, the financial wear-with-all to buy phone time. So, I’d think that would be a great —
UCI: Hello? Can you hear me?
