People who have never been to prison in Michigan or who
are not closely connected to someone who has, may wonder what prison is like in
Michigan. The next few posts I'll shed a little light on what it's like.
After being sentenced to prison your first stop is Quarantine in Jackson Michigan. After sometimes months in the county jail, Quarantine is your first opportunity to go outside. Since this is a first stop for all prisoners, the population is a mix of parole violators looking at only a few months in prison to murderers serving life sentences.
Quarantine is very crowded and
you're stuffed in like sardines. Mealtimes are rushed and you're only allowed
one hour of yard time per day. Inmates are paraded into the showers where you
have a very short time to wash up before being told your time is up.
Because
Quarantine is not designed for long-term housing, the 20+ hours a day spent in
your crowded and dilapidated cell is overwhelmingly boring. Access to books and
writing materials is severely limited. Access to proper hygiene supplies is
minimal and staff have little to no concern if you stink. Many inmates catch
"tickets" meaning their privileges are restricted further, often
carrying into whatever prison they are eventually transferred to.
In Quarantine you're evaluated (briefly) by a psychologist, and DOC counselor. Here you designate your religion, get evaluated by medical staff, get reviewed for STG status (gang affiliation), and are given a "plan" for your stay in prison. This includes programming you're required to take, as well as school or vocational "counseling". Your time in Quarantine often ranges from three weeks to three months.
Next time... your next stop after Quarantine.
