Multnomah County Jail

Inmates

Interview with Milles


JM: Did you find it difficult to get along with other inmates?
Milles: at first i was apprehensive about interacting with the other inmates. you just don't know why someone else is behind bars weather they are violent, on drugs or whatever. after a day or two you begin to forget about those things and necessity takes over you just have to talk to someone. so you start telling stories about how you got there and from that point people just chime in. it gets easier and easier the longer you are there.

JM: What types of things did you have to do to avoid problems or fights with other inmates?
Milles: i just stayed away from people if they were irritated or seemed like trouble. let people talk to me instead of approaching them. its sometimes easier to just stay in your bunk and read a book. i try to be neutral in things it seemed to keep me safe

JM: Were you able to choose an inmate if you knew one?
Milles: no i was assigned a bunk and that was it. they don't give you a lot of choice in anything while in jail. you just go with the program and try to stay away from trouble. besides i didn't know anyone while i was there. if i had i don't think that it would have mattered.