King County Jail

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Telephones

Interview with Jenna, Mel, Bonnie and Ashley

JM: Did you have regular access to telephones?
Jenna: Yes there is a telephone in each block, but they are cut off at I believe 9 or 10 at night until 6am. The only thing is that the phone is in the same small quarters as the television, and you find it hard to hold a conversation. It's best to use it first thing in the morning, or just before lockdown.
Mel: Yes.
Bonnie: No, they like to pretend like they offer that, but the phones never worked and if you were able to dial out, they would hang up on whomever you were calling.
Ashley: yes

JM: What types of charges applied for calling people? How much money would you guess the average inmate spends per week on phone calls?
Jenna: Well you have to money on your phone account, I think it was like $2.00 for like 10-15 minutes (I don't really remember).
Mel: When you first attempt a call to someone, you get the first minute free. After that, the party must set up an account with PCS, so it is to your advantage to have the # ready to tell the person you're on the phone with that they have to establish an account or you will not be able to call them.
Bonnie: Not an option when the phones don't work.
Ashley: not sure. but instructions for phone use are in the blocks - BUT not in the holding cells

JM: Did you need to buy phone cards to call out?
Jenna: No. Money in your phone account, I think it had to be sent western union.
Mel: Yes.
Bonnie: Didn't know that was an option, nobody offered any information.
Ashley: no

JM: Did the jail screen your calls?
Jenna: I am sure they did, they screen mail.
Mel: yes.
Bonnie: haha, are they screening this questionaire?
Ashley: I don't know