Tijuana Jail ?

Question

Anyone been there? What was it like?

Answer 1

Never been inside, but visited twice (friends).)

This was 15 years and 12 years ago, respectively.  From what I'm told it's unpleasnant (I'm talking about the downtown jail, of legend, La Ocho as it's referred to, being on Ave Constitucion betwen 8th and 9th.

But survivable. Thousands of Americans have survived it.  A US consulate rep comes by each day to check.

Like all Mexican lockups, cash will buy you priveleges not granted to the less fortunate.  Better food, better bedding, even booze.  In the actual prisons (not the little jails) you can buy a private room, female company  etc. Everything but your freedom.

If you're in TJ you can go take a look.  Contitution is only one block west of the main drag, Revolucion. And the side streets are clearly numbered.

Answer 2

40 years ago I got into a confrontation with an off duty Tijuana police officer. I won't go into the gory details of how and why, but suffice it to say I was thrown in TJ jail for three days until representatives from the ship I was on in San Diego bailed me out and promised the local officials that I wouldn't darken their side of the border again.

The holding area, and cell I was in had a dirt floor with a bucket to go to the bathroom in (which was never emptied for the three days I was there). Rats, and all sorts of insects scurried every where - especially at night. The food was terrible, and they fed you once a day. The water had a funny taste, but they gave you all the water you wanted.  The filthy mattress I was given was full of bed bugs, and as a result I slept on the dirt floor. The floor was a lot cleaner, and a lot more critter free than was the mattress. There were a lot of Americans in the jail, and most, if not all of them were either Marines, or Sailors.

Answer 3

I go to Tijuana A few times a year and never been to jail. Just be cool , do not snap or be drinking , pissing or doing drugs in the streets and you will be ok.  If you are caught be sure to have cash on you to " pay your way out "of being taken to jail.

Answer 4

Kingston Trio - Tijuana Jail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHmcCkkIQ...