I'm going to prison for 10 years? Any advice for me?

Question

I know, I know, "don't drop the soap." Thank you, comic geniuses. But anything real that I should know?

Answer 1

This is the letter I recently had to send to my baby brother, who is awaiting sentencing in California and expects to be sent to San Quentin for reception and classification... I hope it helps you a little...

Hey, there, Brat....,

This is typed in order to spare you trying to decipher actual information copied out in my chicken track writing. I have taken a poll of all my friends who have been in your place and have gone before you down this road and what follows is all their advice... all of them skipped around a bit, so it’s in no particular order:
If you do not already have good sneakers, get some, all white, no red, blue or green trim, those are gang colours and will not be acceptable, also make sure there is no metal in the construction of the shoes...steel toes, arch support, springs, etc.... Immediately after sentencing, write, address and stamp letters to your mom and whomever else should know ASAP that you’ve been transferred so you can drop them in the mailbox as soon as you get word that it’s time to pack it up. Once you arrive at the reception center, it will be anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks before you’ll have your own writing materials available, though I will be as quick on the trigger as I can about sending them, and I’ll continue to advise mom about what can and can’t be sent in reception.

When you get word that it’s time to go....HIT THE JOHN! This will be your last chance for several hours... get a window seat if possible (you already know it’s a beautiful drive, enjoy the scenery.... When you arrive, you’ll be uncuffed and allowed to visit the urinal, then instructed to line up, then they’ll start calling names... when yours is called, you’ll be sent inside strip searched (Yes, in front of God and everyone) issued a jumpsuit and shoes and put you in a holding area with a bunch of other guys where you’ll sit awhile and probably get a sack lunch...after a while they’ll start calling names again and as you’re called (pay attention, listen for your name, they get pissy if you don’t respond quickly) you’ll come out, get photographed for your prison ID, back to the holding area.... then you’ll be called again, this time for a short interview, to determine if you have any special needs, gang affiliations,known enemies,any medications or have any medical conditions... After that you’ll go to another processing area where you’ll receive the property you brought with you from county and it will be inspected, the officer will remove whatever he deems to be excessive or contraband...when waiting your turn try to see if one of the intake officers has a beard and try to avoid having him process you... he has more stringent ideas of what is contraband than the fella with the mustache.... after that you’ll go to the “bullpen” a fenced area outside to do a little more waiting...1 to 3 hours worth....then your name will be called again, this time you’ll receive your sheets, clothing, etc and your housing assignment..... You will not have access to a phone but will be allowed a “Fish Draw” from the canteen as soon as your money transferred from county clears... DO NOT USE IT FOR STAMPS OR PAPER!!!!!! I will make sure you get those things! You will be very limited in what you’re allowed to spend, I think it’s 45 a month so use it wisely... shampoo, food, coffee, just please take it for granted that you will get all the postal supplies you need from outside so do not purchase them! By the way, keep in mind that shampoo can wash your body, but bar soap sucks for washing your hair... if you need to choose between the two, get the shampoo....more trivia... I’m sure you are not this dumb, but since three out of three brought it up, DO NOT get any tattoos... Hep C and Staph are pretty rampant, besides that ink is a pretty serious policy violation... just don’t.

Don’t seek out buddies, keep kinda low and let others come to you, and then be slow to befriend them...better to have a rep for being stand offish than for being indiscriminate. Keeping to yourself for the most part is a safe bet.
Do not borrow anything more than the occasional stamp from anyone and do not lend anything more significant than stamps or paper... this does not apply to swapping books or to pooling resources with your cellie, but keep exchanges even.... it’s the only way, without incident, to avoid being labeled a punk or a patsy, and those are hard tags to shake.
(The rest of the letter was personal chitchat)

I also suggest that you visit http://www.prisontalk.com to get more info, both about prison life in general and the specific policies and conditions for your state.
Good luck.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

4 more months (or so) man!

Since you asked this question August 26, 2006

My advice when you are released I suggest working for pitbulls and parolees or something as I have watched the tv series. Because many jobs don't take convicted felons nowadays and I believe everyone deserves a second chance.

Also I don't think you did anything that bad either. I'm just going to assume you probably were just dealing drugs, kinda what the user:thinkidiots has stated

Good luck my friend

Answer 4

Going To Prison

Answer 5

Like the other guy said, just lay low, keep to yourself. Don't start stuff. Don't act tough until it's necessary, i.e. ignore comments but if somebody touches you, that's different.

Also, just like everyone else, this man does not deserve to be raped. He was not sentenced to "10 years of rape". Anyone suggesting that he deserves that is a malignant, immoral dope who should be in jail instead of this man.

Also, just because he's going away for ten years doesn't mean that he did something horrible. He might have been selling alcohol or cocaine. Oh wait, he could have sold the poison as a bartender but if he'd sold cocaine he'd be doing 10 years. Funny, huh?

And extremely unjust: think before you speak. There's a lot of people more innocent than you in jail. (And by the way, the vast majority of citizens of the US [and of the world] have committed a crime, i.e. a misdemeanor or felony, in their lives. These are your brothers and sisters and none of them deserve rape.)

Answer 6

i dont know if you will read thise but thise good speech i know im late in answering. got me through hard times maybe after your released look up TD jakes on youtube or lecraes story

I was trapped by the invisible walls of my fate,
Tricked by the idea that I could not escape,
Chained up in a ghetto where my father died,
Fooled into thinking I would never go outside.
Imprisoned by my friends who knew nothing but war,
Shackled to everything that had gone on before.
I would always be here in this dead end life of mine,
My heart turned back by a city limit sign.

Yet,
and yet I now see a way out of my concrete jail,
A new way to soften a heart that's grown stale.
No longer curse in this place for the wealth,
No longer fighting with man or myself.
I understand now what it takes to get real.
If you wanna stand up, you have to learn how to kneel.

I surrender.
My weapons are down at my feet.
'Cause we'll never have freedom
When there's blood on the street.

Answer 7

Sorry to hear it but to tell you what you'll need is money. Make sure you bring some with you to set up a canteen. A place where you can buy soap, coffee, etc. This can be a great bargaining tool. You are going into a place where money doesn't exist. Bring a pen no one ever has a extra pen. Pens are easy to bring in, and one of the items you'll look for on a regular basis. Set up your contacts now make sure they visit regularly once your in people tend to have better things to do. Get all your phone numbers for your call list to be approved no 411 in the can. Get organized and it won't be such a bad thing. The time goes by fast when prepare yourself for the change.

Answer 8

Just be a stand up person and keep your eyes open and your head up. do what you need to do to survive. Money will help with things but bartering is usually forbidden and will get you segregated if caught. They won't let you keep your pen. You'll have to buy pencils. Try like heck to stay real and I hope all those close to you keep in touch. Communication is everything. Good luck to you.

Answer 9

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I'm going to prison for 10 years? Any advice for me?
I know, I know, "don't drop the soap." Thank you, comic geniuses. But anything real that I should know?

Answer 10

It sounds trite, but running away is not the answer. Most countries will not take a wanted felon, and will send you back to the US if you are arrested. You will live in constant fear of being found out, and when you are, you will still have to face the consequences. Best advice, contact an attorney for your options. Statute of limitations may not apply in all cases, but professional legal advice is your best bet. I would not flee the country. Good luck.

Answer 11

I have a family member currently incarcerated and he said the first month is the worst. You will most likely be sent to a reception center where they will do a total physical, mental, and educational evaluation on you. Once your custody level is determined along with and medical needs, you will be transferred to the closest facility to your home, pending availability.
The main thing my relative needed was cash to make his life as comfortable as possible. If you can, you really need to have someone on the outside who will be there for you not only financially but emotionally as well. Mail is also important. Be sure and take everyone's phone number and addresses with you. You will only get one chance every six months to add people to your calling list. Visitation forms will be given to you to send out to your Loved ones as well.
You CAN do this!!!! Be strong and remember that everyone is as scared as you are, and that this too shall pass!!
You can e-mail me anytime if you have more questions.