The Prison Survival Guide

                                                                        

So I’m assuming that if you’re reading this, you or someone you know is getting ready to go to prison. Or has already gone there. I’m sorry to hear that. However if I’m wrong. And you just are curious. This guide could do many things for you, as well as someone on their way to serving a term in the penal system. It could very well save someone’s life. I mean that in all fair and honesty. We will discuss that latter on in this guide. Now I shall introduce myself. My name is Jeff. And I began serving my first Prison sentence at sixteen years of age. I was tried as an adult in Reno, Nevada. I continued serving time in the Nevada State prison till I was in my late Twenties. Latter on I was incarcerated in the North Carolina penal system. All in all I have over Twenty years in the penal system.

I am talking about the state system. No federal time was ever served by me. But the fact is these guide line rules apply in all prisons. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing time in any of the fifty states. These rules of prison etiquette and survival are universal tools. My suggestion is to study this guide before you or that person actually is sent into the penal colony. If this is an after thought then begin adopting these principles into your life style as quickly as possible.

They have a word for people who are new to the prison system. They call you, Fish! Now that word can mean two different things or it can mean a lot. Here’s how I saw the word. If you’re a fish. Then you need to decide. Am I a bait fish or am I a shark. Hopefully you choose that you’re a shark. Because like the shark. He usually adapts and survives among the other predators of the sea. How ever bait fish are eaten up by the other sharks that are high on the food chain. This doesn’t mean go into the prison acting tough. Tough will get you killed or into many altercations.

So don’t start life in the big house as a wise guy. OK that’s out of the way. Let’s begin. Number one thing to remember. Don’t ask people about their crime. This is an absolute rule. It shows that you are a new person and that the guide rules of prison have not been thought to you. Say as little as possible to other convicts. But don’t be a stick in the mud. What I mean is don’t tell information about your life or finances, friends or anything that allows another to dialog you. Convicts are very smart. They can take little bits of information and gleam a whole dialogue of things about you. Some of those things may not be in your best interest to have others know. Second rule. Don’t make friends with guards or wardens.

Prison staff are seen as the enemy among your peers. This doesn’t mean be a smart mouth to all prison authority members. What it does mean is. Answer politely when spoken too. Never kiss up to them. This is seen as weakness and can be viewed by others as you are a person who can be taken advantage of easy. Never discuss other convicts with prison staff. And never tell on fellow convicts. This applies even if you see them murder some one. I know this can be real hard a t times. Especially if your morals, or character, doesn’t agree with your fellow inmate’s agenda. Violation of this rule is the number one thing that can get you killed, hurt or taken advantage of. Don’t ever break this rule! Rule number three.

 Don’t borrow or loan stuff to other convicts. A true convict is always looking for a way to make a better and more comfortable stay for himself. And if that is at the expense of you never getting paid back that twenty dollars worth of candy, cookies and shaving supplies. So be it! Most convicts will take advantage of you in this way. It will only happen if you open the door to it. Simple rule. Don’t borrow or loan. Rule four. Don’t gamble! In prison a pack of cigarettes can get you killed. If your playing cards or betting on the football game. It is a matter of time before there will be a problem. You will loose a bet. Or someone will loose to you. You may not be able to pay for some reason beyond your control. That’s when problems will arise. People get very upset when they are owed depts. From gambling. They will collect through any means possible including raping, Beating you up or taking your possessions. It’s again simple. Don’t gamble! Rule Five.

Watch who you keep company with. Ever heard that saying? ”Birds of a feather flock together”. It is one of the truest statements you can come across. Especially in prison. Tuff guys hang out with tough guys. Rapists hang out with rapist. And each ethnic group only associates with there own nationality. You may say I’m not a racist. Fine but in prison there are different rules concerning your association. Follow them. Associate with only your nationality. Don’t be rude to other nationalities out of spite. This will get you killed. Always watch your space and surroundings. You never know what will happen next in prison. I always stayed in view of my cell or dorm. I always sat down facing others. Never with my back open to others. If things began to get tense in the area I was hanging out in. I simply left. Very simple. It was none of my business so I removed myself from it. Drugs here is a major problem that if you plan to make it through prison. Stay away from them. There are more drugs in prison then on the streets. Don’t get into that scene. If you’re the type. That needs friends. Be very picky. Remember chances are that when you leave that prison. You will never see those people again.

 Don’t make life long friends there. It doesn’t work. Life in prison is very different from the streets. You need to stop living your life in prison the way you lived it on the streets. The same things that where sacred and valued are not valued in prison. OKJ so with that said. We will talk about gangs. What ever nationality you are is who you are supposed to be loyal too.

You never hang outside of your race. This is viewed as an insult to others of your race. I’m not telling you to become a racist. What I am telling you. Is that in prison? There are different rules to life. If approached by a member of a gang. That is of your race. Listen respectively to there offer. Don’t cut them off. You will have to make a choice in this area. If you are in a prison. One that is full of violence, and hardened cons. Than you will probably be better off. To join the gang. This comes with a price and sometimes that price can be as high as killing another convict. So be very careful in your choice. There is safety in numbers. Sex here is a fact that probably is the farthest from your mind. How ever. This is a commodity in prison.

There are men that use the service of others for money and power. I’m hoping you are understanding what I’m saying. Females do the same. Homosexuals are rampant as well as Lesbians in a female prison. They will service you like a woman and charge you just like any prostitute on the streets. The only difference is the type of currency use. My view of this is that if you’re using this type of release for your sexual appetite. You are just as bad as the provider of these services. The communities of gays are considered the bottom feeders and are preyed upon. If how ever you indulge in this type of life style on the streets. I would recommend to be an abstainet from it while in prison. Aids run rampant in there. The best thing you can do while in prison is program your life. What do I mean? Get involved in every educational program you qualify for. Get a prison job. The pay is not the point of a job. Education looks good on your rap sheet. And when you come up for parole. The board will view you more positive. The point being. Look like you have made an effort to be rehabilitated. The Parole Board loves this. And it will make your time go easier and faster. Work also serves these purposes. They pay you Pennies an hour. Stay fit.

 Find any way you can to keep your health in top notch condition. Prison can age a person very badly. I recommend staying away from weight piles. Reason being. The gangs use this a s a place to gather. And it is very easy to get in the wrong place at the wrong time. So stay away from it. Use walking, isometrics, pushups, sit-ups and general exercises to stay fit. Do not become injured or sickly in prison. The medical is sub standard. They will not blink a eye if you die. You are a menace to society and deserve nothing. That is how they will see you. Food is a topic needing some discussion. The general food is the worst to be had. They expect you to eat stuff that most folks would throw away. You can fix this problem and become quit well nourished. How you would ask? First all prisons have a commissary. You will generally be allowed to purchase food and snack items from this once a week. Also your personal needs can be obtained from there. It’s amazing what you can do with top ramen a bag of Doritos and some spam. You will see what I mean after you’re around the place for a while. Some times a candy bar or two can get you salt sugar and fresh vegetables from some one working in the kitchen. You trade for what you need. Again. Take care your health. It’s the best thing you have.

 Reading material is a must. Become active in reading. Read anything you can. It passes time and it keeps you out of the fast pace. Get your self a schedule. Don’t sleep your life away. If ever asked questions about other cots by prison staff. Don’t answer except with I don’t know for a answer. Even if you do know, what they are asking. you. You could buy yourself trouble and be killed for the wrong remark. Self preservation is king here. Phone calls are always monitored and can be used against you. Don’t say things that will get you into trouble. Keep your temper always. People will make you made constantly.

Keep your temper always! Showers are a place that can be very dangerous. Acts of drug trafficking and sexual assaults are usually performed here. Also man beat downs happen here in the showers. Reason being. The guards don’t usually watch the showers to well. Watch the amount of snack and cosmetics you accumulate. Other cons will desire this stuff and this can result in confrontations. Remember prison is a big sea of fishes and you have to be part of the collective group. This will be where you are a shark or a minnow. Or something in between. Keep out of trouble that’s the trick. When you’re getting close to your release date don't tell others. Why? Because others will test you when they know you are leaving. The other cons know you will not blow your exit from prison. They will decide they can get away with more than usual. This can mean they will take your stuff. You will be forced to fight.

 Never let another man or woman hit you without fighting back. It doesn’t matter what the odds are against you. You never let another disrespect you in this way. Once you do. Life will always be that way for you. They call this being Punked. Never be a Punk! Well that’s it in a nut shell. The rest will come from learning the ropes. Good Luck.