Before being taken to the holding cell one of the court officers took my purse and bag that I had brought with me. Silly me, I thought I would be able to read while passing the time. Definitely not the case. Once I was in the holding cell one of the officers went through my belongings and threw out what they deemed inappropriate. All my lighters, two packs of cigarettes, and my chapsticks just to name a few items. I have a huge purse that I keep way to many things in. I didn't see everything he threw out and still have no idea what else went in the trash.
The holding cell was a tiny 4' by 8' with a metal bench and a toilet and sink. No toilet paper, no privacy, and no soap. I sat in that little cell with four other women waiting. It was somewhere from 30 minutes to an hour before we were handcuffed and placed in a van to go to the jail for processing. Try and picture the prison vans you see in the movies, this is what I was in. To make it even more fun, I was handcuffed next to a woman who had severe claustrophobia. It was a short ride to the jail but she made it seem like forever. I was feeling numb and tried to go to my happy place.
When we got to the jail, we lined up and had our handcuffs removed. When my name was called, I went before the officer and was told to remove all my jewelry. He placed this in a bin with the cash I had in my wallet. I was then escorted another holding cell. This one just a little bit bigger and with only a small window at the top of the door. There was a young woman lying on the floor in an orange jumpsuit detoxing along with four other women. Some in jumpsuits some in street clothes. I along with the woman I was originally handcuffed to were put in this cell, that made us six. The rest of the women that were in the van were placed in the only other cell which was even more crowded than mine. I guess I was lucky? Again, there was one metal bench attached to the wall which sat three. I was allowed to go to the bathroom, at least it was private with a door but no hand soap. When I got back to my cell a spot had opened up on the bench. It was in the corner so I sat down quickly and claimed my spot.
I sat there with my raincoat on and the hood over my head. I rested my head on the wall and really didn't socialize with anyone there. I was trying to go to my happy place but never made it. All I could do was think about what a derelict I must be. I am not like any of these women, am I? I was depressed, sad, with tears rolling down my cheeks. I sat quietly minding my own business just wanting to get this whole thing over with. Slowly, some of my cellmates left. One went home, the others back to the women's correction center. Then there were three.
Around 6pm, the guard brought in a bin of cheese sandwiches and a bin of lemonade. We were each allowed to grab two, so I did. I never had any intention of eating or drinking them but thought maybe someone else in my cell would. My hands hadn't been washed since I left the house in the morning and I was not going to touch food with filthy hands.
At one point, one of the women who was going under house arrest inquired about when she was going to be processed. The guy said he was still waiting for the paper work. This was my chance, I asked him about mine and he looked at me and said that he didn't even see my name. He said that if it didn't come through in time I would be spending the night in the women's correction center. As if what I was going through wasn't degrading enough that would do me in.
Later on I was taken out of my cell and was finally being processed, finger printed and picture taken. The paperwork came through for my house arrest and I was able to call my boyfriend to come pick me up. Back to my cell to wait, for what seemed like an eternity. I was finally allowed out and given back my personal items. It was now 7:30 PM.
My boyfriend was waiting for me as soon as I walked out the door. I jumped in his truck and got a long tight hug that I so desperatly needed. On the ride home, I cried while telling him of my experience.
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