Tulare County Jail

Jail Layout

Interview with Jen


JM: How many different blocks were there?
Jen: 3 different blocks 1 general population; all open beds, visiting with other inmates and dinning 2 partial security; partial lock down, every 2-4 hours the floors switch to visit and get out to watch tv, take showers, make calls, etc. 3 max security; the county, cops claim this is for your own protection; You get out for 1 hour a day, no other inmate interaction, take a shower, make calls and whatever else the cops will let you do in this block of time.

JM: Did they have names? If so, what were they?
Jen: There weren't really any names, mostly it went by the number that was given. Block 1, 2, or 3

JM: Which inmates were housed in the different blocks?
Jen: General population was for drug offenders, tickets warrants and other small infracions Minimal security was for the women who had issues with other inmates; gang affiliation, child neglect, previous incarcerations that may have been trouble in another stay or on the streets Maximum security was used for the rats; people who tell to get out of trouble, and that can get you killed in jail, child abusers, or just inmates that area considered to be a threat to themselves or the cops.

JM: What do you remember being the nicest and worst parts about the different blocks?
Jen: Some of the cops were nice to chat with, and they actually went out of their way to check on me; I was sometimes on suicidal watch; it was the first time I ever went to jail like that, and had to leave my kids with other people