What's jail or prison like?

Question

Personally, I've never been. Is there any major difference between jail and prison? I know prisons hold more inmates and jail is where you might go while awaiting your sentencing. What are the do's and don'ts in both places? Thank you for your participation.

Answer 1

I went to both.  I had to stay in jail 3 days after sentencing, then they sent me to the state prison.  There are more hard core criminals in prison, but over all it is a better place.  In jail, many times you can't go outside, the food is horrible and you have a cell.  In prison, you have a room, and your own key.  There are sports teams to join, school classes to attend, the food is better, there are a lot more fights though.  There are strict rules for both, they are more enforced in prison.  If you fight in prison, you could lose your parole for another year.  In jail, the sentence is never longer than a year, Prison is longer.  I did 12 and a half months for prescription fraud.  I got counseling, substance abuse classes, a greiving class because my brother died.  I had a job on maintenance, and got paid but only like $1.27 a day.

Answer 2

jail isn't that bad, prison sucks.  Just do what your told and don't mess around

Answer 3

jail is generally pretty calm, it is where everyone gets taken while they are being processed, awaiting sentencing.

prison, is a whole other game, not even played on the same turf. saying the wrong thing could get you jumped or killed. and time goes by extremely slow, dead slow. most people find religion because they seem to have an abundance of time on their hands.

Answer 4

Never back down, and never show any fear! Never take any **** from anyone in either place!

Answer 5

Jail is used for sentencing of 1 year or less, or as a holding area while awaiting trial or sentencing.  Jail is more chaotic and wild.  Since people are there short term, there are lot of fights and bullshit.  it's a day care.

Prison is serious...for the big boys.  You are going to be there for a while so you need to figure out who your enemies are...you really don't have friends.  There are gangs you join for the purpose of protection.  You have to learn the system.  Fights are meant to kill someone, they are planned and have a purpose.  You get limited visitation and you have a short list of people who are allowed to visit you.

Answer 6

I never went to prison or jail but I heard it is terrible there!

Answer 7

Jails generally serve the following purposes:  holding those awaiting trial or first appearance, those who have already been sentenced and are awaiting transfer to prison, those serving a short-term sentence (less than a year), and detaining juveniles (16-17 in my state).  Prisons are holding inmates who are normally serving at least 6 months or so.  Each facility has its own rules and regulations.

Check out the show LockUp on MSNBC for documentaries on prison life.