Originally Posted by Pony

Since I am typically a loner and prefer to be by myself; is it possible to stay "to myself" in jail? Or do they make you get out of your cell and participate in stuff?

you might get given a job or something, i wouldnt stay in your cell you might start to get depressed, plus also my thinking is, if you stick to yourself and stay in your cell you might set yourself up to be bullied, i dont have a clue tho im just guessing,

My friend tells me many stay in their cell, do not venture out to yard and will not even go down to shower with the rest of the men preferring the safety of their cell and having bird baths. Coming out of their cell when most are at yard. It was also shared with me, no matter who you are inside their will be one person you can relate to and talk to. Every one has someone; even what others consider the lowest of the lowest inside will find another who is treated as they are and will form a common bond, if for nothing else but the treatment they receive at the hands of others prisoners.
I hope you do not seclude yourself away because then you are often viewed as being susceptible and an easy target, but learn how to cope amongst others and find someone you can relate too and trust.

Rolando is right jail and prison are two different things . Jail holds those await trial or have been bench warranted from prison and those waiting to catch chain to prison along with in increasingly less jurisdictions those sentenced to jail . It is very expensive and there is not enough space probation is often the likely out come of a serious misdemeanor a fine in others . Both prison and jail are places full of trouble

Each one is set up differently some places do not l mix sentenced offenders with detains unable to make bail / bond and offenders from prison who have been bench warranted to that jurisdiction . For security reasons .

If you are a pre trial detainee mean you have not been convicted you can be housed with all kinds of people from the repeat drunk driver kid caught with pot to a person who has raped and killed ! \often Child molesters called ,skinners chi mos Chester among other things Dirty cops and others in law enforcement are kept away from every one in Protective Custody aka PC ( Catching Out in prison terms ) because they will be assaulted if not killed . DO not associate with them . learn to call them the appropriate prison name .


Do not become friendly with do guards . I call them bosses because I did time in TX they are called They are called other things also such as 'the law” pigs and things cannot post each and every well deserved I should add . Bosses are always to be seen as up to no good and assumed to be dirty even if they are not keep interaction with them too a minimal and only when needed

In jail or prison never talk about you legal problems simply say I do not talk about legal things . or I don't want to talk about it . Be very vague about your life where you live work etc your family . There is always some one who c will find a way to y use this against you . In jail or prison no one is your friend .they are acquaintances. Never to be trusted . Believe me if they can get time off their sentence any one will talk regardless of what any one says any where .

You should not spend all your time in a cell or cubicle though you can spend a lot of it in your cell or cubicle usually you have to keep a cell door open . Learn to watch who sits where at chow or in the day room often by race and ethnicity at least in a make prison / jail . watch who is associated with who . Usually Solos those not in a gang or into the drama will have their own place and you will want to be seen as a solo not a gang member called STGs also a term originally used by bosses and rank now come to mean any one in a gang or other threat to security such as a known escape risk
To avoid boredom take classes or some sort of “rehabilitation program”

Yes it is possible to keep to your self . and “socialize” as little as possible it is not always pleasant but it can be better than the alternative . Read a lot write home and other friends in the freeworld .
Oh do not attempt to have a third party send mail ota prisn that is a felony in every state . It will get youa lot of time as well as every one else involved .
Often you can get a small radio with head phones get one ASAP as well as a “hot pot “ if allowed . A hot pot is a like a coffee warmer that will not boil unless you override the circuits not recommended . Have some one deposit around 150 as soon as you know how to do it . Commissary is a way to make time a little easier and get things not issued to you by the state or county .

You will probably be interviewed for classification. Things not to mention any psychiatric / psychological problems if any . Never say you feel suicidal you will be put on suicide watch often with minimal clothing if any . Do not disclose financial assets if any . Do not say you even know of another offender in any state or the BOP .Be as vague as possible . Remember no one is your friend . Bosses and rank are never ever your friends under any circumstances . If something happens a fight for example say I was not looking did not see hear etc or I was reading in my cell or cubicle etc . never ever get into gambling or other illegal activities do not accept anything from any one there is always a price . Just say no not interested .

Keep to yourself be vague about who you are and your life mind your own business, stay out of debt avoid bosses and rank and you will be OK . Read a lot ! If possible call home a few times a week OH yeah write home friends in the free world and family a lot

While I would find jail in general to be a cake walk others who have not done prison time will not . .

My guess is you probably will get a suspended sentence and or probation .

Should Add you are not made to get out of your cell or cubicle unless it is time to fall out for work or to have your cell shaken down (searched ) and a few other reasons depending on how that places is run IE Chow . . Though if you spend all your time ion your cell psych will come and interview you and maybe move you to a psych cell not what you want . They usually have cameras on you 24 /7and you are locked in like seg much of the time until they think you are "stable" then you go to a psych wing pod dorm or what ever it is they call it .

ASE`s truisms about jails and prisons are all on point. I agree and at the same time am amused at how long it has been since I have been in jail, and wonder if I could survive under my friends advise. I know exactly where he is coming from, and I agree.

But seriously though. Pony is a scared lady, that I can attest to from reading her post.One thing stands out in her case for me. She writes that a 6 months sentence is on the
table for her guilty plea. There is no other way I can see such an offer after felonies have been changed into misdemeanors. She writes that her lawyer lied to her.

From my stand point of view. “I” would fire the bum from my case. Anyone can fire and dismiss a lawyer from a case, whether retained, or court appointed.

Here however, a lady (pony) has to consider whether it is worth the trouble of firing the lawyer. Why? Because felony cases were dismissed and misdemeanors were charged
instead. A prosecutor can always re-file the felonies if made angry, so this is one thing I would consider.

However, if my lawyer lied to me, and I knew it, I would gladly roll the dice and take my chances with a new lawyer. The judge will have to accept your request for a change
of lawyers..After re-reading her post, I have to assume that if Pony had the mental capacity to get involved in felonies that were changed to misdemeanors, than I would have to assume that jail time in this case is a piece of cake for her, because to me jail is just an inconvenience to anyone near a case like this one – not punishment.

I have already been made aware that my comment was not agree to, I write as a man. I would actually be knocking in the jail house door asking to let me in, if felonies had
been dismissed in my case in exchange for jail time. If that is no other solution Pony, get if out of your system, and out of you life.. You will be O.K.

Good luck

Another thing is there are lots of reasons felonies get reduced to misdemeanors . It is very possible that her attorney said OK lets go to trial knowing that he /she had something to use in court the prosecutor then says OK I'll drop the felonies to misdemeanors in return you plea guilty and do six months . There is often a lot of back and forth between the prosecution and defense . Criminal proceedings are not like law and Order or CSI .

Now that can be anything from a suspended sentence mean you have to stay out of trouble for six months but are still considered "in jail " or deferred adjudication to six months in jail Probation is also still l being "in jail " you have conditions you have to meet and probably weekly drug tests . You could be put on a GPS monitor and probation .a increasingly popular alternative with many states for low level felonies (yes there is felony probation) and serious misdemeanors .

I agree Pony is a sacred lady . Jail is not fun it also is not prison . Most people who are doing jail time are not in there for some serious thing and usually just want to get out . It is most dangerous if you are being held pre trial where can be be housed with just about any one but those accused of sex crimes , cops or other law enforment who now are facing charges .

Those actually doing jail time are usually housed in a separate area and do l kinds of jobs.

I too would say fine I'll do six months 3 in 3 out in your little county jail no big deal. Then one look at where I did time and they will know why .

Maybe Pony can find a few people here to write her if she does go to jail for six months or 3 months .

With out knowing anything about her case what state she is now in legal trouble and charges it is very hard to say what can go on .


I agree I would be careful abut changing attorneys at this stage . Once a Plea deal has been tendered you do not want to make the prescutoer er prosecutor mad . They can refile the felonies unless there is a reason they cannot .

Best of luck ask your attorney all the possible outcomes and see if probation or "house arrest " is not possible .
If you have to do jail time see above advice .
Also make arrangements for things you are responsible for before going to jail .

If I have plead guilty and am out right now awaiting sentence; does that mean they can still go back and change the misdemeanors back to felonies? I think they dropped the felonies down because they didn't want the hassel of going to trial and my stuff against them getting out. I just didn't want felony on my record; which is spotless other than this stuff.

Oh, and yes, pretty scared! I did spend one day in jail waiting to get out on bail. Was put in a cell with some girl comming off of drugs.

Pony at first glance at your post I got the impression that
you were out on bail(or other form of release from custody)
pending further proceeding in your case. Thank you for
clearing this up for me.

If you are out on bail, I have to assume you retained an
attorney, right? This of course has no bearing on the
question you asked. You asked if the felonies can be or
could they be re-instated(re-filed) even if you are out on
bail? To answer you question: Yes.

A prosecutor has unlimited leeway in handling cases, and
if he chose to drop those felonies probably has nothing to
do with you arguing whatever you say will embarrass the
police. The prosecutor takes into consideration for dropping
felonies things such as:

1.)...severity of the crime, did you kill, hurt or
mained someone.
2.)...your criminal background, if ever you were
convicted before, how many times ect,ect.
3.)...first and foremost, safety to the people of
the community where the crime occurred.

So there are several issues taken into consideration for a
prosecutor to reduce a charge from felony to misdemeanor.
I would guess that he does not see you as a threat to anyone in the future, and is giving you a break.

Plain and simple Pony...Just do not make him think any
different by making him reconsider his offer.

P.S. Pony if I were in your situation I too would have been
terrified with even (1 day) in jail. But let me repeat what
I said earlier. This time with more weigh because I know
you are now at home waiting sentence.

When you are actually sentenced, regardless of the outcome, you will be taken to a place where those in the
same situation as you are people charged with petty stuff,
like shoplifting for example..There will be no dangerous
people who will get in your face at no time.

I can almost guarantee you that you will be fine. If you
need further information I am positively sure you will be
able to find your answers here, just ask.

Again Good Luck

Did you already plea guilty and sign a plea agreement? Did a judge accept your guilty plea ? If that is the case it is very difficult to refile . That does not mean it cannot be done even if itnot as easy once every one agrees to a plea .

Rolando is right if you do have to go to jail . You will go to a place with people who are in situation similar to yours . They got caught doing petty things and were sent to jail . They just want to do their time and get out It is very unlikely if you follow the given advice you will have any problem .Unless you are mixed in with those awaiting or waiting to catch chain r to prison . There can be a few problems then .That is very unlikely unless you are in some remote part of Wyoming or some place like that where theg county lock up is very small. Inmates and detainees are usually not mixed niether are those bench warranted from prison for what ever reason and usualy those guys avoid trouble because they usually are appealing something . Unless you happen to be Bobby Fratta A TX DR prisoner , and try to get nude photos into Harris County jail Sorry could not resit .

You now have time to get ready to go to jail . you should make arrangements with some one you trust to pay bills , send you store (commissary ) . be a emergency contact and take care of any pets or children if you have them .

You should try to have at least 150 - 200 in your account so you can get a few items such as a hot pot and radio you will "need" these items If you are allowed to buy sneakers do that they are much more comfortable than state issue brogans very uncomfortabel . You might even be able to get a commissary list from where you will be going and ask if you can sey up account when you are "booked" in as a offender Some jails will let you do this .

You will be taken to jail right after court and classified then assigned a living area maybe a job as well as a medical check up . Do not bring any prescription meds with you at all they will be destroyed . Dress comfortably in court because those are the cloths you are leaving jail with . Bring your ID and eye glasses usually you can keep them in jail unlike prison . do not bring any thing such as keys credit cards pocket knives obviously . Bosses are not known for their honesty .

Sometimes if you have money on you it is deposited in your account when you are booked in to the jail . not always though .

It is normal to be scared of jail if you have not been there before . One thing try not ot show you are afraid they will take advantage of that .
If you follow the advice given you will be OK . No it is not going to be pleasant. But it will not be prison or what you see on TV.

Having spent one night there you kow a little bitabput the place already .

It is also OK to be scared .