Limon used to be infamous here in Colorado, but after watching Lockup, I'd rather be anywhere than Corchoran.

Indiana State Prison has kitties, so that's my "favorite" prison.

Whew, I'd have no idea. None of the federal penitentiaries are on lock up but my PP said that Lewisburg was no picnic. Pelican Bay looks pretty awful too from what I've seen.

i have a pp at pelican bay and like corchoran its one of the toughest thats what he tells me. they even seperate inmates because they fight for no reason if they are of a different race. and the security housing unit (where he is at) is awful he isnt even allowed to make calls.

So far with what I've seen I'd say Pelican Bay, Corcoran, and Folsom...gee, all in California, go figure.

i know whats up with them all being in california? lol

Originally Posted by chyy

i know whats up with them all being in california? lol

I think it's because in California, it's purely gang whereas in other places, there's gangs but it's not ALL gang, like MADE of gang. The politics, racial intolerance and violence that goes with the gangs is ratcheted up all the way in California. According to my pp, there are other prison systems, like the one he's in, where gangs exist but you do not "have to" be in one or claim affiliation to one, even if you still have to hang with people of your own race. That does not mean you are in a gang. He says in the Nevada system, you do not have to be in a gang. Whereas in the California system.... I wonder about that. I think that's why it's so unbelivably rough compared to some others. Not that any prison anywhere is a picnic or free of gang related issues.

Depends what you mean by "tough". At least the inmates in California get to spend a lot of time outside in the yard, can use the phone, get Metallica to play occasionally (OK, maybe just once, but they had Johnny Cash too).

On the other hand, Oklahoma's state penitentiary is partly underground with no natural light. That's tough.

Or any of the Texas, Florida or Louisiana prisons.

I remember watching a documentary called "America's Harshest Prison" or something like that. The unit featured had TVs in the cells, windows in the cells and the inmates were allowed to spend large amounts of time outdoors for recreation. Things which other prisons do not have. Whilst there was a lot of fighting, this was brought in by the men themselves. So it was harsh because the inmates made it harsh for themselves.

thats true in california prisons they almost always join an gang because its the option not to say they are forced its just one way to survive...

crap this thing is not letting me quote right now, but febmoon, totally agree it's made harsh and terrible by their own actions, absolutely! My pp always says it's the way you make it in there.

Pelican Bay is especially insane for me to think about because it is nestled in one of the most beautiful places on planet earth... the redwoods. It's like the entire gang population in there killing each other and living in some kind of petty, small minded way while all around them is this unbelivable nature and majestic beauty. What kind of madness is upon them to create such a life? Despite "cultural, upbringing, background" and all that... truly... I don't understand it.