How tough will 3 years in prison be?

Question

Have done 30 days and 6 months in county jail. It wasn't terrible but I couldn't waitto get out and be able to do my own thing. I'm told you get more freedom in prison and it can be better than jail. Told I should get medium security to start.

Answer 1

Prison or Jail, its all the same!  Its no vacation!  If you thought that 30 days was tough, it will be more challenging for 3 years.  You literally will have to watch who you hang out with, talk to, and your behavior.  There are gangs in the jails, and that makes you choose your friends carefully.  Don't try anything stupid, the guards will be watching you.  One stupid slip up and you could be in S Block (confined 23 hours in cell).  So, don't play games thinking you will get away with it.  Heard to stock up on cigarettes to use as a bartering tool.  Keep to yourself, nose out of trouble and hope to get out a few months early on good behavior.  Hope you learn a lesson after you get out.  Good Luck!

Answer 2

You asked the right question, now the advice:

Got some good stuff so far, got a few loser comments too.  Hopefully this helps.

First, it is said that you do only two months of any prison sentence, the first and the last.  The first is system shock, the last is anxiety related to leaving (or not).

The people who told you to do your own time were correct.  Don't get involved with prison politics, on the yard or in organizations.  You aren't going to be there long enough and have too much to lose.  Avoid conflict, but don't roll over to it.  If you are threatened, don't talk sh*t, don't boast, don't threaten, stick with something like, "You're talking to a grown man.  You may kick my a55, then again you may not.  You walk away now, so do I."  Was my standard spiel.  Worked for me.  But, it is an example of your mouth writing checks that your butt better be prepared to cash.

Never rat.  Never snitch (and there are a number of different ways this can be done without actually speaking).  Beware especially the "dry snitch."  More of a direction you are looking than anything else.  Learn to look without focusing.  Learn to listen without getting caught dipping.  See everything, hear everything, these are the only resources inside you can actually trust.

Don't borrow or lend.  You will have to pay it back with interest, or you may have to collect it with interest.  Not as easy as you might suspect.  Not as gruesome as you might fear.

Don't worry about the "Marys."  Homosexual situations behind the wire are largely as consentual as they are out here.  If you are not in that food chain, you have little to be worried about.  Prison rape is largely a myth.  Like all myths, it is based on facts from the past, stress on past.  Not that PR doesn't happen, just not as likely.

Never gamble.  You will lose.  A lot.  The gamblers inside have perfected the artform of separating you from your store goods (the traditional manner of payment).  You will not win, and when you lose, you will not eat.

Have someone on the outside who can send you money on a regular basis.  The food inside, well, sucks.  And, it is never enough.  Most joints are feeding between 1200 to 1800 calories a day, some in only two meals.  You will need to supplement.  You do this by buying food from the prison store or commesary.  You will also need to purchase, paper, pens, envelopes, and postage.  If you do not write letters, you will not receive them.  You will want to receive letters.  Have a subscription set up for you to your local paper.  It will give you instant status.  Before you pass it on to other inmates, though, remove your personal information from it.

Do not share why you are there while you are there.  You are there for the same reason everyone else is, you were convicted.  For what is not important, except to the one who will find a way to use it to his advantage against you.

There are three types of people behind the wire: predators, prey, and the audience.  Be the audience.  Do what the audience does, watch, learn, don't get involved.

Do not discuss politics, history, religion, gang affiliation, or share any personal information especially about your family outside.  If a discussion gets heated, be ready to get out of the AO (area of operation).

Don't lie.  If you can't tell the truth, don't talk.  Get caught in a lie and you get shunned, that means something very different inside.

Don't be affraid.  Many more before you have been through this and survived.  Some even became better people because of it.

Stand up, do your time.

Answer 3

Don't make eye contact with anyone and when shitt goes down stick with your race, don't let anyone take property from you or your a punk. Usually beating the c**p outta your celly on the first night will get people thinking your crazy and they will leave you alone but you will have an extended stay for a new charge.

Answer 4

The food is great. The scenery is a little dull, but very friendly neighbors. Free medical help. You don't have to worry about who's running for president, because you can't vote. Free education. Great reading material. Sounds like a vacation to me.

Answer 5

That all depends on you. Prison is much better than jail. Just mind your own business and stay with your race.

Answer 6

Many inmates prefer prison to jail because they are entitled to have TV privileges, there is a set routine, your housing is very stable after you are classified.  But you are with sentenced convicted felons, many serving Life sentences.  3 Years is a low level offense so the population could be a little scary.

In contrast to jail, where housing is frequently changed, crowded conditions, large recreational areas with one TV and inmate turn around is several times a week.  And you are housed with the gambit of inmates violating traffic offenses to serious and violent felonies.

Answer 7

I agree with Chainsaw.  I've done my time too.  All 4 1/2 years.  The longer the sentence the longer it seems the beginning and end of the time seem to affect you.  For me the first year was hard.  Had to get adjusted to prison life when I was 17 but lived with adults.  I made alot of the mistakes that chainsaw said not to make....probably all of them lol.  But, if you can think quick on your feet and always keep an eye and ear out you should be fine.  Just be very of every little thing you say and do.  They can be very important.  And most of all have faith.  You will be ok as long as you don't go looking for trouble.  Sure you may get into a few scuffles but if you follow chainsaw's and my advice you should be fine.

Answer 8

try not to show fear. people are like animals they can smell it.

do not make eye contact with anyone or stare at them for a long time.

stick with your race. dont take no s*h&t from anyone. if anyone starts any trouble just stand your ground and fight!

dont snitch, or borrow anything or get used.

get into a routine and time will get by faster.