You broke the law and after a trial, you were found guilty and given prison time. You will spend most of your time in a locked building with people that have done as bad or worse than you. If you behave, it might go easier on you. Nonetheless, you will have to make the best of it if you are going to survive.Now, brace yourself for the social dynamics of prison. There are certain ways to behave towards others if you want to get by.
Recognize that nights are the worst. You will miss your family, and freedom. You will probably cry, so stifle it into your pillow so no one will hear.
It’s this continuing assault on our sense of humor that actually makes me cry at night. Check out this insanity! First of all, was it written by a prisoner?
The “related” topics on WikiHow are “How to Help a Friend Who Gets Arrested in the Middle of the Night” (“It is 2 AM and someone you know has just been arrested. You know you need legal help. You do not want your friend to make a confession or be in a line-up or even get fingerprinted if it can be avoided.
It is tough to know what to do or who to trust. Moreover, you do not know who will even answer the phone at that time of day.”); “How to get a Job with a Criminal Record”; and “How to Select a Criminal Defense Attorney.” My favorite exerpt is
“Punks are often traded at card games and used badly.“
Steps
- Do not cry, show fear, or a vulnerability publicly. Doing so will quickly make you a target for other prisoners.
- Learn to play spades, chess, or hoops as it makes the time go by faster.
- Get a prison job which will keep you occupied as the days pass by.
- Read a lot. They have a library there so use it. Catch up on your reading.
- Consider writing as well. Letters to friends and family, fictional short-stories, and poetry can make time pass a bit faster.
- Brace yourself for the social dynamics of prison. There are certain ways to behave towards others if you want to get by
- Do not become a ‘punk’ (girlfriend). While becoming a punk might give you some fleeting, temporary protection from other inmates, you will be a virtual slave to one. Punks are used and abused. They are traded away in card games and sold for cigarettes. It is not a path to long term survival in prison.
- Do not snitch. If you see something illegal or violent, walk away and do not divulge any information if questioned later. Being known as a snitch will make bad things happen to you. (Of course, you have to decide whether your fellow inmates or the authorities are more dangerous. If you’re questioned and lie to the jailkeepers, you can get in serious legal trouble.)
- Stick up for yourself or you will be turned into a punk. It’s better to get into a fight and lose than to be seen cowering or placating. Your reputation is more important than your desire to avoid pain, so guard it with your life. Ultimately you should avoid any confrontation if you can, but if you can’t avoid one, react quickly and with aggression.
- Stay to yourself, keep your mouth shut and don’t tell anyone about your personal life, family, or criminal history. Do not discuss either religion or politics. In other words, don’t put your business out on the street. At the same time, don’t get involved in other inmate’s business.
Tips
- Tear up the return address from your incoming mail. Other inmates will write to your friends and family if given a chance.
- Don’t get caught up in a jailhouse romance. The last thing you need is to be getting involved in a relationship.
- An excellent resource for how to deal in prison is Jim Hogshire’s book “You are Going To Prison” from Loompanics Unlimited. It is an informative, no holds barred read. This should be required reading for every High School graduate.
Warnings
- Do not admit or discuss any crime against a minor. Child molesters, abusers and murderers are considered the lowest forms of life in prison and subject to frequent attacks. If you are convicted of a crime against a child, insist on being placed in Protective Custody immediately. You won’t be able to hide the nature of your crime in a general population prison for long. You risk your life when (not if) other prisoners find out.
- Do not gamble, unless you can pay your debts. They will use violence and stop at almost nothing to get what is due to them.
- Remember, you are in a house of thieves and liars, and should not believe very much of anything you hear. Do not trust other inmates except in cases where there would not be serious consequences for doing so. I.e. make careful choices regarding your “friends” and your location at any given moment of the day.
- Avoid drug use in prison. Drugs use while providing a temporary escape will lead to other problems.
- Avoid tattoos. Prison tattoos can be unsanitary and lead to hepatitis or other diseases.
Related wikiHows
- How to Help a Friend Who Gets Arrested in the Middle of the Night
- How to Get a Job With a Criminal Record
- How to Select a Criminal Defense Attorney
