My brother is looking at possibly getting like 7 years for a white collar crime. What advise can I give him before he goes in. HE HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM. He is a former child actor and was very well know. When in holding in San Diego jail he received fan mail and the inmates started messing with him. What advise should I give him. Should he go into protective custody? Thanks

From all I have read, when they do the initial intake they will classify him and from what you have said, I am most certain that he would be placed in protective custody. Blessings,

Protective custody [PC may be a temporary answer but IF he gets convicted and has to do time in a State prison, protective custody is sometimes worse than being in population. In most states, PC means being locked in one's cell 23 hours/day and limited phone/visiting privileges, limited items in one's cell, etc.... [depending on the State].

From what I have heard, most well-known [celebrities/former judges/police] prisoners eventually ask to come out of PC b/c the isolation and restrictions are worse than the risks of being in population.

I think if your brother goes in without acting like a celebrity------just lets the other prisoners know he's a regular guy who doesn't expect star status on the inside, he'll probably be okay for the most part. Then if he starts having some trouble, he could ask for PC.

If he's still got money from the child star days, though, and can afford a lawyer, he might not even go to prison. It's people without money who usually do the time.

My first question to you is it a state or federal charge?

Likewise to what has already been posted. PC is a tricky thing. For one thing, no place is 100%, absolutly secure. Like my mamma used to say "Where there is a will, there is a way". In PC you give up a lot. More than what the 'regular' inmates give up - most notably what little freedoms you have in prison. It is a closed in, lonely place. But ---- it is usually a very 'safe' place.

As it has been previously stated: A lot will depend on how he behaves while he is in prison. From my experience the best way to behave is to be as invisible as you possibly can. And even ex-celebs can disappear if he wants to.

Good luck with things
GyG

It all depends on how big a star he was. As a former inmate, protective custody is usually reserved for those who's immediate health is at risk, or a former officer of the law. Let's not get too far ahead of this situation, the correctional system will most likely put him with population until a situation occurs where his health is in danger of bodily harm. Status will not work in prison unless he is a big star. In many cases there will be more contempt from the prison than from the inmates. And as someone said, isolation is a bad thing, especially for the lenght of time you brother is looking for. That wouldn't be conducive to rehabilitation anyway. He has to still be in contact with others to one, maintain sanity, and two, to show that he can still react as a normal person with others. I did almost a full year in isolation in jail, and I actually liked it, but missed the times on the yard with others, just someone to talk to about anything. Different prisons allow inmates outside at different times of the day, and with a limited number, unless you are with population. There are a bunch of other factors, but I don't want to make this too long. I advise staying in population.