Prison Survival Guide
Are you facing the prospect of serving time in prison? If so, you’re likely to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to expect. With the unknowns of prison life looming, you may wonder how to prepare for this next chapter of your life.
In reality, prison can be a challenging and hostile environment that requires great mental and emotional resilience. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, you can equip yourself to handle the realities of prison life and make the most of your time behind bars.
In this article, you’ll get a comprehensive glimpse of the practical tips and advice for staying safe and healthy and making the most of your time in prison. This includes tips on managing finances, maintaining your physical and mental well-being, as well as navigating the social hierarchy.
Understanding the Prison Culture
Prison culture entails the norms, values, and beliefs shared among the inmate population. The purpose of the culture is to show inmate way of life.
When you set foot in prison, you should understand that the way of life is different from the outside world. The culture is often shaped by the power dynamics within the prison, including the relationships between inmates, staff, and administration.
The best you can do is to observe how other inmates do things before making any decisions or actions yourself. Doing so will help you avoid making mistakes that could put you in harm’s way, such as breaking unwritten rules.
Further, you must pay attention to the importance of alliances and relationships. Usually, prisoners will divide themselves along racial, ethnic, and gang lines. Understanding these dynamics will help you to avoid getting caught in the middle of conflicts. Even better, positive relationships will provide you with a support network.
Moreover, most prisons have informal economies and trade systems. Understanding and participating in these systems is crucial if you want a smooth prison life. They could include bartering goods and services or participating in underground economies such as gambling or drug trafficking. If you choose not to participate, ensure you respect what they do by not snitching. Otherwise, you’ll have a rough incarceration period.
Paying Attention to Social Hierarchy
If you’re new to the prison environment, understanding the power dynamics and the relationships between inmates, staff, and administration is crucial. For instance, you shouldn’t ignore the role of gangs and cliques in the social hierarchy. These groups control the distribution of resources and hold significant power within the prison. So, you must find a way to remain on the right side of the hierarchy.
Notably, the hierarchy can change over time. As a result, you must be flexible and adaptable to these changes by:
- Forming New Alliances
- Learning New Skills
- In the Case of Conflicts, Seek Help from Prison Mediator or Counselor
Accepting Responsibilities
While prison life can be challenging, it also presents personal growth and development opportunities. For instance, you can participate in prison labor programs, where you get to work and earn a wage. This money will help you purchase commissary items, including food, snacks, and hygiene materials.
Further, prison labor will help you build job skills and provides a sense of purpose and structure. This will give you a feeling of productivity and engagement in your day-to-day life.
You can also participate in educational and rehabilitation programs. These programs can help you to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to your criminal behavior and provide you with the tools you need to succeed upon your release.
Respecting Other Inmates
Sometimes, conflicts are inevitable, especially in a controlled environment like prisons. Most inmates are from different backgrounds, personalities, and criminal histories, contributing to tensions.
The best way to live harmoniously with others is to avoid confrontations and conflicts whenever possible. Shun inflammatory language as much as possible and always devise respectable conflict resolution means. However, as you do this, do not show weakness, as other inmates can take advantage and exploit you.
Moreover, you must be mindful of personal space and privacy. This means avoiding taking another inmate’s belongings, not touching or interfering with their property, and not entering their cell or private space without permission.
The best way to ensure you achieve all these is to avoid drug use in prison. These substances can lead to impulsive and violent behavior, which can put you in harm’s way and lead to conflicts.
Maintaining a Strong Body and Mind
During your incarceration period, you must participate in activities that promote your physical and mental well-being. A fit body will help you withstand the demands of the environment and reduce the risk of illness and injury. You can promote this by engaging in regular exercise and getting enough sleep.
Mental health is equally important. Without a strong mind, the stress of the environment and the future’s uncertainty can take a toll on your well-being. Some of the activities you can engage in include meditation, reading, writing, or participating in rehabilitation programs.
Educational programs also come in handy in maintaining a strong mind. They give you a chance to improve yourself, which can help to build a sense of purpose and increase self-esteem.
What Educational Programs Can You Participate In?
Different correctional facilities offer different educational programs, depending on the incarceration level. However, the programs below are the most common ones:
Literacy and Basic Education
This is a program where you can improve your reading, writing, and basic math skills. It’s available across all correctional facilities, including federal prisons, state prisons, and county jails.
Literacy and Basic Education is crucial for those who did not complete their education outside of prison and give them the skills they need to succeed.
High School Equivalency (GED Classes)
GED classes provide an alternative path to a high school diploma for those who did not complete their education. The program allows you to work at your own pace as you receive individualized attention from instructors. Upon completion, you will have a smooth time upon release in terms of job prospects and increased earning potential.
Vocational training programs also fall under this category. They offer hands-on training in various trades and skills, such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, or computer repair.
Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation
If you’re a drug or alcohol addict, it’s wise to engage in rehabilitation programs. They aim to help you overcome the addiction through individual and group counseling and support groups.
Anger Management and Conflict Resolution
Anger management and conflict resolution skills are crucial in maintaining a safe and harmonious prison environment. The programs will help you understand the root causes of your anger and that of other inmates. Consequently, you can learn healthy coping mechanisms and develop efficient conflict-resolution strategies.
Staying Connected to the Outside World
One of the biggest challenges of prison life is the feeling of isolation and disconnection from the outside world. Such feelings can result in stress and anxiety, making it more challenging to adjust to prison life.
However, there are several things you can do to maintain contact with your family members and friends. Here is a look at some of the most common ones:
Mail Exchange
Most correctional facilities in the United States allow inmates to communicate with their loved ones via mail exchange. This privilege will allow you to maintain essential community ties, beneficial upon release. Most importantly, you get the feeling of appreciation and love, which will push you through the incarceration period.
Note that mail exchange guidelines may vary from facility to facility, but the most common rules include the following:
- No contraband is allowed into correctional facilities.
- All mail is subject to inspection. This might involve reading the letter’s content, except for legal correspondence.
Phone Calls
Most prisons have phone systems that allow inmates to make collect calls to friends and family. Others partner with third-party companies that offer prepaid call services for a smooth experience.
Before you go to prison, it’s important to list the names and phone numbers of the people with whom you’d like to maintain contact. Depending on the facility, you’ll have to forward the list to prison staff members for approval.
When using collect call services, the call recipient will be responsible for the call charges. Additionally, staff members may monitor and record the calls, so ensure you don’t discuss matters they can use against you in court.
Visitations
Connecting with the outside world via visitations is crucial for your emotional support. Each facility has unique visitation rules, which you’ll learn about upon entry into the prison.
You can follow these tips to make your visitations successful:
- Plan Ahead: Review the visitation rules and regulations before each visitation day to ensure you adhere to the guidelines.
- Maintain Relationships: Use your visits to maintain and strengthen relationships with family and friends. You can catch up and share experiences and news with those you care about.
- Seek Support: If you have difficulty adjusting to prison life, you can use the visits to seek support and encouragement from those you trust.
Managing Personal Finances
As an inmate, you must learn how to manage your personal finances effectively. Proper financial management can help you maintain a stable and secure life inside the prison and prepare you for a successful and financially stable future upon release.
Here are some of the tips you can follow to ensure you make good use of your funds:
- Create a Budget: Start by making a list of your monthly expenses, including commissary items, phone calls, and any other necessities. This will give you a good idea of how much money you need to set aside each month to cover your expenses.
- Consider Working: The mistake that most inmates make is over-relying on the money they receive from friends and families. You can have more money in your commissary account by considering taking a paid job.
- Save and Pay Debts like Restitution: Restitution is the money you pay to victims as compensation for losses they incur from your criminal acts. You can make this payment by adopting healthy saving techniques and paying the cash before prison release.
Surviving in prison as an LGBTQ Member
For many LGBTQ prisoners, the fear of harassment, violence, and discrimination can be a constant reality. However, there are some measures and steps you can take to ensure your stay in prison is smooth.
For instance, stay low-key and not bring attention to yourself. This could involve keeping a low profile and avoiding activities or behaviors that make you stand out, like participating in LGBTQ support groups or events. Your goal should be to keep your identity as private as possible.
If you feel threatened, approach a staff member and make them aware of the situation. While doing so, remain calm and don’t mention the names of those threatening you. Depending on the gravity of the matter, the staff members will decide the next cause of action, but in severe cases, they may keep you in protective custody until things cool down.
Another vital survival tactic is building supportive relationships. You can achieve this by:
- Forming Connections with Other LGBTQ Prisoners
- Seeking Out Allies among the Staff and Administration
You should also take care of your mental health by following the tips discussed above.
How to Survive in Prison as a Sex Offender
Sex offenders are often among the most targeted people in prison, facing harassment and discrimination from other inmates. This is a part of prison cultural norms and is often seen as unavoidable if not sanctioned by the prison authorities.
One of the best options for ensuring your safety and well-being is to seek a judicial recommendation for Sex Offender Management Program (SOMP). These are specialized programs within prisons that provide intensive treatment, supervision, and support for sex offenders.
For placement in the SOMP programs, you must file a request in a court of law with your attorney’s help. You must demonstrate a commitment to change and make positive steps toward rehabilitation. However, most SOMP programs are only in designated federal institutions.
Further, you must be cautious with how you respond to the “what are you in for?” question. This may mean being vague about the details of your crime or avoiding the question altogether.
However, paying attention to the context is crucial; in some cases, it may be necessary to be honest about your crime, especially if other inmates can easily retrieve your file.
Focusing on positive aspects of your life and character can also be helpful, such as your education, work experience, or family ties. This can help reduce stigma and discrimination and show other inmates that you are well-rounded.
