What Is a Typical Inmate Day Like in San Quentin? What's the Schedule?

This question originally appeared on Quora.

Answer by James "JC" Cavitt, San Quentin Inmate

There is no such thing as a 'typical day' in prison. Things differ drastically from prison-to-prison, person-to-person, and from day-to-day. There's a popular saying amongst inmates about a prison's program: "The only thing consistent about prison is change." That change often happens without notice and at the drop of a dime.

For instance, it can be a beautiful day outside, guys may be working out, playing sports, cards, or just enjoying the fresh air; and in the blink of an eye we're in the middle of a full-scale riot. Paying attention is a MUST HAVE trait in prison; it can literally mean/make the difference between life and death.

Although San Quentin State Prison is known for its notorious past, currently it happens to be the most stable and consistent of all the prisons, at least in my opinion. Here is a typical day for me:

5:30-6:30 AM: Breakfast, a.k.a. 'chow time,' and the start of most guys' day. The breakfast isn't good, so I skip it and sleep in during that hour, which is much needed as you will see.

6:30-7:15 AM: Start day with a morning prayer and devotional reading.

7:15-8:00 AM: Breakfast in my cell and prepare for work. My breakfast usually consists of a bowl of oatmeal or a Danish and a cup of coffee, all of which are sold from the prison's commissary, a.k.a. inmate canteen.

8:00 AM-2:00 PM: Work. I work in the prison's general maintenance shop as a metal-fabricator/welder. I make 32 cents an hour. Yep, you read it right, a whopping 32 cents per hour.

2:00-3:00 PM: Shower grab a bite to eat and prepare for either a self-help group or college class.

3:00-5:00 PM: Self-help group or college class.

5:00-6:00 PM: Dinner. It tends to be better than the breakfast so I go.

6:00-8:00 PM: Another self-help group or college class.

8:00-9:00 PM: Socialize with friends or use the prison phone to talk to my loved ones.

9:00 PM: All inmates are locked in their cells or dorm until breakfast. There is no lights out policy.

9:00-11:00 PM: Watch T.V., listen to music or write a letter, and fix something to eat.

11 PM-12:30 AM: Homework, including play-writing for chapel.

12:30-6:30 AM: Sleep

There is a perception in society that inmates spend all day doing nothing. As you can see that is not always true. I am no exception to the rule. There are more guys spending their time doing something productive than those who are not, especially in a prison like San Quentin that offers programs.

How one spends his time -- be it in prison or out -- is what makes the difference between success and failure. I choose to stay busy and focused because I have chosen to be a future success story.

*All communications between inmates and external channels are facilitated by approved volunteers since inmates do not have access to the internet. This program with Quora is part of The Last Mile San Quentin. @thelastmilesq

More questions on San Quentin:

• Do you remember when the gavel dropped in court with the verdict and what that felt like at that moment?
• Do inmates in San Quentin have access to computers and the Internet? What kind of access?
• What kinds of opportunities do San Quentin inmates have for education degree programs and professional training?

 

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Comments

[andvoodoo2]

11:32 AM on 03/05/2012

I think inmates should be kept very busy. Having a structured day during their stay will hopefully get them into a routine of getting up every day and being productive. When prisons treat inmates like they can be valuable members of society, they are more likely not to return to prison. And, that's a win for ALL of us.

[Chris Stoll]

10:47 AM on 03/05/2012

8:00 AM-2:00 PM:" Work. I work in the prison's general maintenance shop as a metal-fabricator/welder. I make 32 cents an hour. Yep, you read it right, a whopping 32 cents per hour."........You have some serious brass to be complaining about earning a salary while working in prison. There are law abiding citizens that can't find a job at all, and this degenerate has the nerve to complain. All in all it doesn't sound like chuckles has that bad of a day!

[norepublicanleftbehind]

01:22 PM on 03/04/2012

Maybe there should be a companion piece- A day in the life of someone who was victim of an inmate.

[dbrett480]

12:15 PM on 03/04/2012

Thanks for the article and dispelling the myth that prisons are warehouses with no opportunities. You are what you make of it.

[scrapper7]

11:00 AM on 03/04/2012

I enjoy watching prison documentaries. My favorite is "Lock-Up Extended Stay" on CSNBC. There's no whitewash, just genuine gut-honesty. The inmates are candid and so are the staff. There are many programs offered to the inmates in our prison system, and it's up to each individual prisoner whether or not they take advantage of them. They range from education to job training. I find myself 'rooting' for and following certain prisoners' progress. One program in particular warms my heart. 'Cat adoption' is just as precious and special as they come! I've seen the most hardened and unlikely inmates (even 'lifers')melt like jello, once they've prepared their cell for their new 'roommate', then taken a tiny kitten into their hands for the first time. It's wonderful and encouraging to see incarcerated men and women doing the best they can to turn their lives around. It saddens me to think of the men and women on the outside, who don't.

[charleyvldm9]

08:57 AM on 03/04/2012

College Class,that sounds good,I hope more of you take up studies to prepare you for the outside.

[jojobinx]

07:13 PM on 03/03/2012

Don't complain about 32 cents an hour, that's more than I make and I am not in prison.

[donna madisonbell]

06:19 PM on 03/03/2012

Thank you for this article. I am a doctoral student with an interest in correctional reform. I also volunteered with California Re-Entry Program.

[dbrett480]

07:28 PM on 03/03/2012

I worked in corrections for awhile and whenever college students studying "correctional reform" asked for advice, I suggested that they actually work as a correctional officer. College only goes so far, if you want to have a true impact as a corrections reformer, you need to face the beast you are reforming.

[playera]

03:59 PM on 03/02/2012

Thanks for your letter. I would read more about a place that may or may not be how it is described on TV. I hope you're safe.