Table of Contents

1. Chapter 1 What Prison is Like...................................3
2. Chapter 2 How to Survive in Prison.......................10
3. Chapter 3 Breaking Out of Prison..........................15
4. Bibliography..............................................................21
5. Glossary.....................................................................22

Hi, I’m Nina, I’ve been sent to a prison for a reason that I’m not even guilty for. Most likely you’re reading this because you’ve been sent to prison, and most likely it’s your fault.

    The Average Prison Cell

Prison cells are pretty much how you would expect them. Ed Grabianowski had stated, “The typical prison cell is eight by six feet (about 2.5 by 1.8 meters), with a metal bed tray (either bolted to the wall or free-standing on metal legs), a sink and a toilet. There may be a window allowing a view outside the prison.” You may think to yourself that a prison cell seems way too small, but once you get used to one, you’ll find it not so small. The author Ed Grabianowski also mentioned,  “Prison overcrowding has forced most prisons to keep two prisoners in each cell, so an additional metal bunk is placed above the bed. In severe cases, three prisoners

Chapter 1

What Prison is Like

have been placed in a cell. A few cell blocks have a dormitory set-up, with eight or more prisoners in a larger cell with multiple bunks, but this is uncommon.” I’ve luckily only ever been in a cell by myself, but when there gets to two, possibly even three people in a cell at once, it gets crowded easily. It’s not a fun place to be either.

    The Food

I’m not a huge fan on prison food, but it is something you will have to get used to, considering that you eat two meals a day. Alysia Santo talked about various types of prison meals, one being breakfast, “1/2 cup canned fruit, 1 cup 2 percent milk, Coffee (optional), 3 servings margarine, 1 cup cereal, 1 cup 2% milk, 1 biscuit and 1 1/2 cups ‘country gravy.’” It may not be the best, but it’s the recommended amount of calories for a breakfast. Alysia Santo also listed off a dinner option, “1 slice of cake, 2 pieces of cornbread, 1-cup 'vitamin beverage', 1 cup of beans, 2 servings margarine, 1 1/4 cup of meat-fried rice.” Again, it may not

An example of a Prison Menu

be the best, but its suitable for prison. You do have other options to chose from, but these were some of the better ones to me.

    Solitary Confinement

Solitary Confinement isn’t a fun place, as if prison weren’t fun in the first place. Solitary Confinement is basically a more reinforced prison cell. As Jean Casella explained, “Solitary confinement is the practice of isolating people in closed cells for 22-24 hours a day, virtually free of human contact, for periods of time ranging from days to decades.” So doing something that seems like you’d get a small punishment, might end up being a long time in Solitary Confinement.  Jean Casella  also stated, “Solitary confinement cells generally measure from 6ft x 9ft to 8ft x 10ft. Some have bars, but more often they have solid metal doors. Meals generally come through slots in these doors, as do any communications with prison staff. Within these cells, people live in enforced idleness, denied the

Beds are usually cheaply

made, with just a metal frame with a mattress layed above

opportunity to work or attend prison programmers. Sometimes, they are banned from having televisions, radios, art supplies and even reading materials in their cells.” Even though it’s most likely smaller than a prison cell, you’d be by yourself. Also the door is usually reinforced with a metal door.

   Contraband Items

There are a lot of contraband items in prison, mostly being weapons and drugs. As definitions.uslegal.com explains, “Prison Contraband refers to property that is illegal to possess inside a prison. Correctional facility regulations prohibit prisoners from possessing certain harmful or potentially dangerous items.” So contraband items basically being illegal items in prisons, I’ve personally never owned any though. Corrections.vic.gov stated, “Prohibited items vary depending on whether the prison is maximum, medium or minimum security.” So for an example, I may be allowed

Phones are considered one, if not the worst item you could have a hold of while in Prison

to bring a razor blade into a low security prison, but not a maximum security prison.

    Reputations

I never really had a reputation in prison, but you can earn reputations by either doing good things, or bad things. According to prison-architect.wikia.com/, here are some reputations. “Cop Killer; Prisoners with this reputation are far more likely to be seriously injured or even killed by guards if they should find themselves in a confrontation.” Cop killer being the reputation that, well someone has killed an officer. Another reputation prison-architect.wikia.com/ talked about was, “Fearless*; Fearless prisoners will not gain the suppression effect when in proximity to Armed Guards or Riot Police, even during a fight or under "Freefire". While this makes them difficult to punish or keep compliant, they are consequently better

candidates for reform programs.”

This is just the basics of prison, there’s far more things to know.

Chapter 2

How to Survive in Prison

   The Three M’s

What are the three M’s you’re probably wondering. Well they stand for Mind, Muscle, and your Mettle (Spirit). , according to James R. Cooley, “Falling into the trap of focusing on one of the three and neglecting the others has consequences.” Meaning you have to focus on all three M’s, instead of just one M. James also mentioned, “Develop a routine that keeps your balance in all three.” So work on muscle for a certain amount of time a day, then work on focussing on your mind, and then your mettle. I never really dealt with the three M’s while locked up, but it may come in handy.

Your looks, mood, what you do, can determine your entire life in prison

    Choose your prison friends carefully, very carefully.

Having prison friends can come in handy, such as they might help you plan an escape, or maybe be friends once you both get released. Or they can ditch you, or they could get you in trouble. “The right people can help you find jobs and learn about hidden programs or benefits in prison.” stated James. As I said previously, having prison friends can be a great thing, they can help you get through prison easier. But James mentioned, “The wrong people can get you hurt, put you into segregation, or even get you more time.” Not all prisoners are gonna be nice, they may play it off, but in reality they’re bad people.

    Attitude. You heard the saying, “your attitude determines your altitude!”

Attitude plays off a big role in prison, if you end up being the inmate that sits in the corner all day, you’re gonna have a bad time. James mentioned, “In prison, your attitude determines almost everything that happens to you.” So you can play

yourself as the person that doesn’t care, or the person that cares about everything and you worry about everything, which I don’t recommend you do. But, don’t play yourself too tough or weak, according to James, “Come across as too tough or with a bad attitude, and someone will adjust it for you. Come across as weak and you will be taken advantage of in a very bad way.” If you play off as weak, you’re most likely gonna get tossed around, hurt/injured, maybe even killed.

    Watch what you eat.

Prison food may have recommended amount of calories, but it’s terrible, enough prison food may be able to get you ill, you need to average how much you eat while in prison. Mustafa Zulu said, “Prison food is bad enough, so don’t add a lot of processed commissary food. You don’t want to get ill because you’ll regret it.

If you play yourself as weak, your life in prison will be terrible, absolutely terrible. You will get yourself killed.

Moderation is the solution.” Again, prison food may not be healthy, but the calories are there. And enough of this food could get you ill. Mustafa also mentioned, “They will screw you if you get ill. They’ll allow you to get close to death before properly treating you.” What I said earlier, you’ll regret getting ill in prison, the way they treat you is horrible.

    Start planning from Day 1 for your release.

Depending how much time you have in prison, planning for the day you get released is fairly important,. James R. Cooley said “Do some research. Talk to other inmates. Get your people on the outside to help you if they can and will.” Are you gonna get a job when released? If so you’ll need a house to live in, and a car to get home and to work. James also said “Plan for everything you can – job, a place to live, budget, etc. Remember Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.” When I broke out of prison I had nothing planned, I ran as far as I could with no intention

of doing anything, just surviving. I didn't even think I would survive alone.