Top 3 things you wish you knew before prison?

[hopper23]

Hi all,

Unfortunately I may be headed to prison in the near future.

For those that have been before -- what top 3 things did you wish you had known prior to going?




(Ex: perhaps things to help ease the stress, things to help with the process in general, daily life inside...)

Thxs!

[fbopnomore]

The way you will be treated by the other prisoners and staff will depend on how you present yourself. Understand and practice "inmate etiquette", which includes don't borrow, don't lend, stay away from contraband and always be polite and respectful of the other guys. Keep your personal business private, and don't get involved with anyone else's either.

[sidewalker]

While Ive not been to prison personally......from what I know from my hub.....be prepared to be bored.

[nines]

1. No drugs or loans.

2. Don't be "that" weird guy that rubs everyone up the wrong by being arrogant or abrasive. Avoid this by just being quiet and judging the time to start fully interacting. Don't be like the one guy who entered the wing and blurted out "I don't want to be with all these misfits" within 1 day of being in prison. He didn't have an easy time needless to say but it's obviously easy to have far better people skills than him.

3. Don't be a complete recluse either, the majority of people with you won't bite and they're often great fun to talk to. In a way prison acts like a social lubricant as nobody can punish you any harder for what you say. Be prepared for very politically incorrect jokes and dark humour that'll leave you crying from laughter.

[lizlizzie2]

From what my son has said, there are 5 things -

1. Observe before your interact. In some ways, it is a lot like high school with cliques.

2. Avoid boredom as all costs. You need to make a routine that keeps you mentally and physically occupied.

3. Don't go into debt. Drugs, gambling, alcohol, all lead to a neverending, bottomless pit and you end up having nothing.

4. Learn boundaries and respect. So many people crowded together have resulted in a whole new set of rules that you will learn, but practice the first two and you will get through the rest.

5. Practice good hygiene.

[Patrickj]

Choose your associates don't let them choose you. See nothing know nothing,here nothing. Staff are not your friends but treat them with respect. Don't gamble anymore then you can afford to loose. Don't mess with dope. Leave the punks alone

[Marseille]

Some things from listening to the inmates:

1. Be fastidiously clean, both body and cell.
2. Learn to control your bodily functions. Don’t pass gas in your cell. I hear about SO MANY FIGHTS that start with a fart.
3. Do not handle, look at, or comment on photos of another inmate’s wife or children.