Delirious
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Saturday was the day of my self surrender into Sheriff Joe’s Tent City. People told me to expect to be with other professionals like myself while serving my time in jail, so I was surprised to find the experience to be somewhat different.
I arrived before my check-in at 8 a.m. and waited outside of the Lower Buckeye Jail (LBJ). Nervous among other self-surrendering people of all walks of life, I kept to myself at first, but then gravitated towards a group of women who appeared to be fellow professionals who were first-timers. I neared in on the two red heads and a blond with short hair. After a few minutes of awkwardly lingering beside them, one of them came over holding up the book, Wicked, and asked, “Are you here for the book club?”
Clutching my own copy of Wicked in my arms, I responded in jest, “Why yes I am! What time do we start?”
Whew, I was in.
We stood and got to know each other a bit, searching for common ground, so we’d have “like individuals” to hang with on the “inside.” I was so grateful to learn that not only did the girl with the short hair have her copy of Wicked, but she also loves one of my favorite musicians, Celine Dion. In addition, she has a propensity to collect Hello Kitty desk supplies, a sure-fire IN to my selective Hello Kitty Pokey Posse. She was welcomed into my gang before we ever entered the clink. The initiation was solidified with a pinky swear once we were in a cell – the unbreakable vow to stick together while doing our time.
After we were let in through the huge metal doors that read, “Maricopa County Lower Buckeye Jail,” we were assessed by a nurse, lined up facing a concrete wall, legs spread and searched. From there we were led inside where we hopes were high that we’d soon be taken to the Tents where we would be issued a blanket and have access to food and drinks from the outdoor vending machines.
We walked into an office area, and were immediately led into a 6 x 8′ white slump block cell. I gasped out loud as I passed the dirty metal toilet to my right – realizing that I no longer had the privilege of privacy. My heart sunk, and I was flushed with both fear and strength as I scoped out my surroundings and immediately began the process of endurance. My new friend sat next to me on the cold cement bench and as the others filed into the room, I could feel her tension rise.
“I’m claustrophobic,” she said. (more…)