To anyone who is going to prison, let me try and help. Learning the rules are fine but, you need to know, that many of the inmates work and run things. I was in state prison. My advice is forget about learning the rules of the institution your going to and worry about yourself. Upon orientation, you were ask to fill out a card. If your mexican, you are either north, south, or border brother. If your black, you are either blood, crip, or 415.(415-blacks up north, oakland, frisco, etc.) It doesnt matter if your in a gang they tell you but, you still have to choose a catagory. The most important thing is this. Walk with your head up high, dont look to the ground. Avoid staring at people or at activities which are none of your business. Don't borrow or buy anything on credit until you know people good, credit is a number one thing to get you in a wreck. Don't back down from anyone. If your hit, you fight. If someone takes your stuff you fight, and fight now, not later or you lose respect fast. Don't go out of your way to make friends. Let it come natural. Don't do favors or hold things for people/ It could be drugs or weapons then your screwed with a new case, or your will be held liable for anything missing.
Most of all stick up for yourself. In prison it doesnt matter if you lose every fight your in.
You at least earn respect. No one talks **** about you losing like in grade school.
When you first come in, where you will be extremely nervous, there may be hecklars around. If for some reason you are singled out and being heckled, just you, jump on the nearest hecklar. It will most likely be a trip to the whole but you will be respected.
Also if you get a lot of packages from home or get a lot of things from store, dont be greedy, share with your celly or bunk mate, if you get along but, don't let others take advantage of you either. If your with someone who is going to steal something, walk away, a look out is just as guilt and can get just as dead. Also beware when your alone, especially in the shower area.
Also be respectful to others when using the phone, dont eat into their time. Also do not get chummy with the gaurds, I dont care how nice they are. And dont tell on others, inmates do much of the paper work in prisons and can find out almost anything.
If you cant remember all this then remember this. Always stick up for yourself, and respect others.

Hope this helps, Junior

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Sincerely and Respectfully,
Junior

Hi Redwolf,
Thank You for the information, obviously you have experience and your right on" all stated. True facts fo reality inside prison, Jon my hubby was in 13 yrs and agree's and cannot find any thing you may have missed in you post reply. Very helpful for the first time in ones who read this.

Thanks for your honesty and knowledge on this topic.

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This is one of the best threads on any site. So many people who are going in prison for the very first time are scared, confused, and wondering how to act or what to do. I hope my story and advice will be helpful to anyone who is about to enter the life of prison. My wife has been in a federal prison camp now for 2 years and still has 14 months to go. First of all let me say that these are "THE FEDS" they can do what ever they want. And believe me they do plenty of it. There is a new set of rules with every changing of the CO's. What one set would let you do and not say anything, another set will be all over you like ugly on Bigfoot. For the most part, federal camps are pretty layed back. Most are like a college dorm room setting with 4 to 6 women in each. Some have their own baths and some have shared baths. But even the shared baths have privacy with doors and separate shower stalls. Everything that my wife tells me is that if you do what the CO's tell you, listen to them when they talk, and do exactly as they say, keep your nose clean and out of trouble, do not be a whiner or snitch, mind your business and stay out of others, then you can make it what it is. Time spent in a controlled environment, being told where and when you can go, what and when you can do things. I have so much more I can give here but I don't want to turn this post into a book. So if anyone reads this and would like more information please let me know either here on this thread or in a message. I will be glad to share my knowledge and experience with anyone.

i was told about this thread before i joined the site because a friend thought it would be useful for me. i am 21 and going to jail or prison (i haven't been offered a plea yet so i don't know what to expect as of now) probably within the next 6 months. i am looking at anything between 1-10 years. crazy i know. as of NOW my sentence averages a 5-10 but if they knock some charges down during my plea bargain it's more like 1-5. i was scared when i first got arrested because i'd never been to jail before. my boyfriend has been in jail on and off our entire relationship. he's been in both state and county so i know from an outside point of view what both are like, but now i have an inside point of view about county.

im not really scared to go to jail anymore because i have been home on bail since the summer. i have had a while now to prepare myself for the worst and come to terms with what will happen. i think if i was in jail this whole time i'd just be depressed and not as comfortable with the situation as i am being free for now.

the only thing that scares me is my parents have too much pride than to visit me so however long i am away i will not see my son. i cant stand the thought of missing out on his life. it breaks my heart and is IMPOSSIBLE to come to terms with. that's the only thing i cant prepare for =(. i don't want him to forget about me. he's only 3 1/2 so i know he's got that 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality and i don't want him to forget me. i purposely have him talk to my hubby and show him pics of hubby everyday so he wont forget about him...i know it works cuz he's constantly talking about missing my love. i just hope my parents do the same so he wont forget me.

well, i forgot where this post was exactly going, but thats my story, thats me.

11b, wince we are acqauinted from another place let me just say; I hope when the time comes they will be as light as possible and your time will be swift. Just know that there will be many praying for you and awaiting your return. Even though your son is young, a child does not forget the love of a parent. He will remember you. Just be sure and correspond as much as possible either with phone calls or letters or both. Even though he can't read you can send him pictures you draw just like a child would. Our prayers are with you. God bless

11bh....

what AngelBear said , i ditto.....can ya feel the love 11bh?..i hope so..it is genuine from the heart...

thanks guys. i'll let you guys know whats happening whenever i find something out.

eddie...are YOU getting mushy after all the time you poke fun at everyone else getting mushy? hmmmm i think so! i broke you down =) haha

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Listen I just got out the joint right and I have never been to federal prison but I have done time in the state prison system. The food is getting ****ter and they are taking ciggerate out of the system and everything far as thigns are starting to cost alot more. Doing time is not what it was when I first came in the system. Alot of states are going threw finical problems right now and alot of people going into the joint have no one to write to or keep up with them Prison is like going to see a grave site you are out of mind out of sight and again out of mind. I was likey to hang onto my family members and was able to fighitng and off on an appeal on my drug case, I had acouple of people that rode it out but soon as I said 8 1/2 to LIFE alot of people was like see yea player. But anyways stay out of toruble and stop doing stuid things and you will be alright. WHen you lokced up find acouple people to hang out with stay clear of gangs and groups and mind your own business is the first rule of to making it out of the joint federal or state. You will be alright and do not tell everyone how you are laying it is too much information far as you what them to know is you are barley making it. One love ya'll anyone want to talk more about this e-mail me at mike_malinowski@hotmail.com

we are pleased to have you with us. Its always a good thing to have first hand knowledge from someone that had done time.

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I need coffee

has any one heard from him?

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I need coffee