Woman's new life as inmate begins

Officers conduct a visual, noninvasive strip search of each, and then provide a handbook of regulations. Visitation once a week and holidays. Telephone calls must be approved numbers.

“Do you know where you're at?” an officer asks.

“Yes, I'm at Eddie Warrior,” Spottedcrow answers.

Spottedcrow is a first-time offender serving a 10-year sentence for $31 in marijuana sales to an informant in her hometown of Kingfisher. Her young children were present during the sales. She was assigned to Dorm 3 and upper bunk No. 47. The dorm-style life means not having personal space and others always being nearby.

Spottedcrow received three pants, shirts, and bras, five T-shirts, socks and panties — everything bluish gray. A “care package” includes generic shampoo, soap, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, a roll of toilet paper, deodorant, sanitary pads, shower shoes and eight pieces of paper and envelopes.

No makeup is provided, but mascara and lipstick are on sale in the canteen. Prices are similar to discount stores: lipgloss $4.63 and mascara $5.54. Clothing can be purchased: jeans go for $6 for plus sizes to $46 for Levis. Tennis shoes start at $19 and go up to $98 for Nikes.

Cigarettes can be smoked outside, with Newports selling for $7.37 and generics $4.16 a pack.

Inmates are limited to what they can spend based on their earned credits, ranging from $10 to $80 a week. No hair color is allowed, but perm kits may be purchased and applied by a prison beautician. Haircuts are free but cannot be exotic, said Sgt. Skip Taylor.

“It's a safety issue,” the guard said. “They can't do anything to alter their appearance drastically.”

Spottedcrow dropped her bundle of clothing and supplies about halfway to the dorm, but two inmates volunteered to help carry the load. “I'm glad they stopped to help because I was going to leave that stuff there,” she said.