hi i was wondering if it is true that everyone has to fight in prision? my brother is a smaller guy and hasn't been in too many fights is he gonna be ok?

jaden,

I can only provide you with what I know from my Partner who is inside...

I think that in general sometimes the rumor is that there is a lot of violence in prison - I personally don't think that is always the case.

Many Prisoners do their time in prison and are never really put into dangerous situations... I do however believe that Prisoners must be willing to stand up for themselves and show that they are not a push over. I know that sometimes new Prisoners will be tested and they may have to prove that they are willing to fight. Do they have to fight? No, but I think that they need to be willing to show that they would. Sometimes it is more of a situation where if they allow other Prisoners to take advantage then they are in trouble on an ongoing basis. They don't have to win a fight, but show that won't be taken advantage of.

I know that this is very general, but as I said - it is what I know. There are many ex-cons on this site that will probably answer too.

I think that was very well said, Teb.
When I was down, I got in several fights... none of which were even over really important stuff.... it was more of someone trying to disrespect me, and I had to "Keep my good name", (or as good of one you can have on the inside). Sheesh, I hope that made since.
As far as getting in a fight because someone else starting it... I had that happen a couple of times. But, each of those ladies, I never got into a fight with. I stood up for myself, and let them know that they wouldn't push me around.... in return, I gained their respect and they never tried starting anything again.

I'm not saying that he won't have to fight, or that violence doesn't exsist inside the walls. But, as Teb said, I dont' think that's always the case.

Jodygirl

thank you for your responses all the info i can get is helpful! thanks!:)

It would certainly make a difference to know what sort of prison he's going to. Fed or State,.. and perhaps how much time he has or if he's working off time on an unpopular crime.
Not that we'd need to know,... just that there are variables for the likelihood.

If he's got very little time to do and will go to a minimum security prison over a white collar crime he'll be at less risk of having some brush with this because everyone with him has an interest in keeping their custody low and doing their short time clean and clear of write ups.

If he's got a stretch to do for whatever reason, the folks who already live there will need to figure out what he's adding to, or likely to take away from their little neighborhood.

If he's doing real time over an unpopular charge, there could be a few more folks who'll never want him around and might make that point with their fists. (because they too have a lot of time to do anyway...)

Jody talked about her dukey sticks... She proved the point that it happens in women's prisons too. Men, however, invented the pecking order thing, and are cocks on the yard even on a good day. They'll fight for sport if not principle.
Women usually have a reason. A darned good one.. And they will weigh their options fully before doing something that could cost them any privilege. They'll also show much better sense in who they'll bother.

he is going to federal probably gonna do about 20 years on a drug charge. thank you for the info

"Sometimes the prisons they are in are so violent and dangerous that they are more safe in SHU, would rather be there and wouldn't have it any other way. So, depending on the situation and the prison, SHU is the place to be instead of general population"
i read this in another thread is it true?

Yes, this can be true because in the SHU you have barely any contact with other inmates. But if your brother is facing 20 years, I don't think they would keep him in the SHU the whole time, plus he would probably be lonely, ya know.
On the other hand, I do know someone that went to prison at age 15. For his protection, at the beginning of his sentence, they put him on a suicide watch, even though he wasn't suicidal. This is kind of like the SHU, except their is always a guard there to "protect you from yourself" (and the other inmates, as in this case)

thank you for your reply! I find all the info I can get eases my mind in one way or another! (most of the time!) I really appreciate all the time that everyone has taken to help me out! It helps me get through every day I have, without my brother by my side! thanks again!:)

Society has been led to believe that inmates fight every waking hour of the day. This is not true at all. I spent almost 5 years in several different prisons, and was only involved in one fight. Strange enough, the guy I fought and I got over it, and got along after that. It is not like in the television shows where a big dude walks to you and slaps you; don't get me wrong, I CAN happen, but not nearly as much as you think. When I was in jail waiting my trial, I heard a lot of the juviniles saying that they were told that when they got to prison, the best thing to do is to walk up to the biggest dude and fight him. That may get you killed. Prison can be a very frustrating place, and when you are frustrated, you can't go to your house and put on some tunes or watch the football game, or go to the gym and shoot some basketball. A lot of times you cannot vent your frustration, and unfortunately it may be vented at the wrong time, and result in a fight. I hope there are some other former inmates that can shed light, personally, your loved one should not be in a lot of fights if he can just keep his cool, and act with respect to the other inmates. That might mean fighting if your beliefs are challenged severely; you got to be a man, but those obstacles should be few.

thank you for your reply! it is very much appreciated:)