i knew it could break you or help you. >> esteban merchan is awaiting trial on murder charges and hasn in the jail in tampa, florida for a year. but his stay hasn't been without some benefits. >> i started reading anywhere between two to four books a week. now i'm reading anywhere between three to five books a week. i write letters. i draw. >> i do push-ups, a thousand every day. exercise to keep my mind and my body occupied. >> line up on this side, please. >> with the same routine one day of the week can feel like any other. but mondays brings something to look forward to. it's delivery day for jail canteen. >> i get canteen. to be honest, the food here is not that bad. it's just the quantity. the quantity is too little. i'm a growing man. on the industries i'm used to eating bundles. >> canteen around here is like gold to them. it is probably one of the most important things aside from getting a visit or a letter. they are allowed to order something different from the normal food we provide to them. >> today merchan is making a unique version of jailhouse barbecued chicken, using c

. >> merchan approves of some of the changes as well. >> it is nicer, i tell you that much.leaner. >> go ahead and take off the uniform. >> overall the best change i like is the uniform. i guess they decided to have us wear red since we're in confinement. i was getting tired of orange. making me feel like an orange pumpkin. i mean, i'm a blood. right? so my favorite color is red overall. the bloods wear red. so it makes me feel more comfortable. it brings a smile to my face. look i'm cheesin '. >> in addition to his history of assaulting staff, his gang affiliation is another reason he's in confinement. >> if you throw up gang signs, mention you in a gang or trying or give the appearance of trying to recruit for a gang, you will be confined in here. >> that's what society calls as you gang. but i'm not a gang member. i'm part of a brotherhood, a nation. this is my church. this is my religion. this is what i believe in. you feel me? i am a blood. i swore to myself that this is what i'm going to do the rest of my life. >>> coming up, an accused murderer and rapist seeks a rela