When going to a correctional centre for the first time, it can be an extremely stressful period of your life. I must admit though from my own personal experience, prison was not as bad as I thought it could be. One thing to always remember is your time there is what you make of it. I never experienced any violence or threats while in custody. I thought I might share some inside information for people who for whatever reason end up behind bars and want to do it "easy" rather than "tough".

1) Never steal from other inmates. Rule No.1. It sounds odd being in prison with others that have larceny and other purloining records, but one thing that always gets a person bashed is stealing from another inmate. Usually the person who has stolen is placed "on show" in front of other inmates and is then taken back to a cell and bashed, or if there are screws around, taken to some secluded spot in the jail and bashed. If the screws see someone with a black-eye that inmate will almost invariably be taken to segregation/protection/IMU and will probably spend the rest of their sentence there. Inmates call protection the "boneyard".

2) Avoid going into another inmates cell alone unless you trust that person. An imates cell is their own personal space. You maybe accused of stealing or if someone doesn't like you and they say: "Come into my cell", it usually means a pretext for violence for whatever reason.

3) Never be seen being whispering to a screw or talking in private with them. Even though it may be no-one elses business and has nothing to do with other inmates, you may end up being labelled a "dog" or a "screwlover" and treated with contempt or suspicion. There have been previous cases of the police implanting informants in jail to get information.

4) Never ask anyone about what charges they are on. Be curtious but mind your own business. The biggest thing in jail is gossip and can get a lot of inmates into trouble when the wrong things are said about someone.

5) Try and make as many friends as possible. This maybe difficult and you will get some inmates who are rude or aggressive to you. I kept my distance from such inmates but I was always polite and never hassled them for anything. They will usually leave you alone. Having friends can get you out of trouble with other inmates and the screws. When you're with a group you dont get hassled. When you need something you can work things out without having to threaten anyone or pay for it. After being in custody for 6 months, I ended up with roughly 30 inmates I could call good friends. I still keep in contact with many of them in prison and on the outside. You never know if you'll ever end up back inside.

6) If you smoke or dont smoke always ask for your "free" pouch of tobacco at reception anyway. Tobacco is like a currency in prison. I don't know how many times I managed to get stationary, chocolates and other goodies in exchange for tobacco. Tobacco is also a great way to "break the ice" in forming new friendships. I would often have a cup of tea and chat with other inmates while having a smoke with them.

Medea, that is very useful information. I am going to make this a "sticky" in the Australia forum, so it stays on the top of the lists of posts. This will be very useful for people that are headed to prison in Australia!!
Also when you state about never going into someone elses cells, I know in Queensland, that is a disciplinary write up, you go straight from Rez to secure. :( Was it like that where you were?

Inmates only went to secure/segro if they were:

1) Causing problems for other inmates.

2) Causing problems for themselves.

3) Broke disciplinary measures or priosn rules.

Don't know of anyone sent elsewhere for merely being in another inmates cell.

Thanks for the info, Medea!

Thank you Medea -

Just last week I was arrested and charged with my first offences ever -

Out on bail now till first court appearence in 2 weeks.

I'm still reeling and don't fully understand what's going on.

My solicitor says evidence is high and may be best to cop a guilty plea vrs go to trial.

The difference is possibly 6 - 12 months vs 5 - 8 years.

I know what I've done wrong, and as it is I've already lost my family.

Truth is, the whole thing scares the crap out of me.

Paul

Well, I must say that these were very useful pieces of advice for me while I was in for my short stay. I found that the whole being in someone else's cell thing was enforced (as far as disciplinary action) was when two people were locked in, in a cell, which caused them to be breached, and they spent some time in the DU (detention unit).

I guess the thing I can think of to add to this list is that you should avoid getting into debt to other inmates. Whether it is a packet of tobacco, or a gambling debt, it all adds up, and the interest on these things tends to be high. I saw a lot of people get themselves in trouble by getting in over their heads and not being able to pay it back.

Inspite of the fact that gambling was not permitted (quote unquote), it was pretty rife, with everything from the TAB, to the lottery, footy picks worth hundreds of dollars... I guess it is a bit endemic in society, and what happens in society is reflected in prison too.

Like Medea said, your time is what you make it, and it can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. Once you get on a table, you have a permanent seat there, and it's pretty easy to make friends. I spent a lot of my time playing cards, backgammon, and chess and the like; it's surprising how a few games of 500 can make a morning disappear in no time. By the end of my time, I had joined the group of guys who worked out every day, and that gave me friendships with people outside my normal circle.

You have to watch what you say and to whom; there are a lot of people who are doing long laggons, or doing life who think nothing of going to DU/segro for a fight. Treat others with respect, and you will generally get the same in return.

Uhm... that's about all I can think of for the moment.

I would say for a newbie in prison you need to watch how much debt you get into the people who protest to be your friend will bash your head in just the same for an upaid debt.

It is easy to say, but do your own time quietly , don't get involved in the prison politic's and whilst easy to say it can be very hard to do. What ever you do don't get involved in drugs because at that point you have had it , seriously its a moment of relief, followed by hell.

As to problems you may face , pick your officer, some don't give a ****, they are the hero's and will give you nothing and take you no where , but there are some who do care and you need to find out who they are , won't be hard to tell.

I could write novel here , but I won't if you have a problem then ask for help or if you can't because your inside then ask you love one to , I know it hard because when it arises you don't know who to talk to , but we can help if you ask for it.

i've been told of some rules too, from victoria prison's. never talk to another guys girl even if you've known them for years,& dont ever get with another guy and think your girl wont hear about it because it always gets out.

[ New to this form of communication ] ---- I once lost my 'd' open security rating [or yellow shirt] for stepping one foot inside a mate's cell to say goodmorning. The occupant [a lifer] was present. That's Alice Springs C C in a nutshell, backwards & there to punish you on top of sentencing. [ 4 1/2 years]

i've been told of some rules too, from victoria prison's. never talk to another guys girl even if you've known them for years,& dont ever get with another guy and think your girl wont hear about it because it always gets out.

That's pretty much a golden rule as far as visits go. Don't mess with anyone's family/friends/kids etc. It's that one sacred hour or two a week where everyone gets a little bit of the outside world.

im willing to answer any questions at all regarding Arthur Gorrie, Borallon and Palen Creek correctional centres