Creativity - Recipes from A Jail: Character Development for Writers

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In this article, we have not just one but two prison recipe treats. Thanks to the help of Harriet Fox, who is a writer and a California Corrections Officer, we will learn how to make a celebratory cake complete with icing and a some very spicy hot tamales.

To read Harriet's article about her work as a female corrections officer in a male jail, go HERE. 

If you want to understand the difference between a prison and a jail, go HERE.

With Harriet's help and the kindness of two of the men who are in her jail, we have two recipes to help us further write our characters right.

Some of the items an inmate had in his cell.

Fiona - 

How do inmates heat their food?

Harriet

The hot water pot is in the dayroom. Sometimes they will prep their foods and put them back inside a plastic bag and then put on top of the hot water pot to cook. Some recipes do not require that. Some deputies allow inmates to do that, while some do not.

Harriet (cont) - 
In the hot water pot picture, you will see a plastic pitcher. Inmates take their large potato chip bags and open them on both ends... they slide it through the door jam where it closes...with both sides open on either end of the door, the pitcher pours in one end and the inmate behind the door has his cup up to the bag. They get hot water throughout the shift from the inmate workers we choose to use to clean/help out for that shift. I bet if I tried, the water would be all over the floor! Amazing jail tactics inmates use; super smart with what they have.

Fiona - 

These sources were photographed and are offered in their original form. If you have trouble reading them, perhaps zoom out on your computer. I'm afraid that on a phone this will be difficult. My apologies.

This is  Commissary form (called Canteen in prison)

Harriet - 

The form is filled out. You will see all the stuff they can order. The prisons I have been to have the Canteen store window by the Yard.

Fiona - 

And from the items that they can purchase, with a limited range of cooking utensils, cookware, and  means to prepare and cook, the inmates have devised their own cuisine. 

CAKE

HOT TAMALE

A big thank you to Harriet for her help and to the men who shared this with us. You can check out Harriet's writing at this  Amazon Link

As always, a big thank you ThrillWriters and readers for stopping by. Thank you, too, for your support. When you buy my books, you make it possible for me to continue to bring you 
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