Prison Inmate Talk

Inmates in the federal prison camps are surrounded by many emotions and the majority of them are of a negative nature. One of those uncomfortable feelings that I quickly notice was suspicion.

Being new in the camp I knew the other inmates would be curious but after a week or so I realized that their curiosity was actually being suspicious of who I was. Inmates want to know if you are a man of your word, someone they can trust and will you follow the prison motto of “see nothing and hear nothing”. Be cautious of the time spent in the company of a correctional officer, innocent as it may be, there is still a group of inmates closely watching you.

So where does this suspicion come from? It comes from the ones who are doing something illegal in the camp and they are constantly looking over their shoulder for inmates that might expose them to the officers. The others are the one who have already been victims of conspiracy, someone who already had another person tell such as an informant or rat and was prosecuted for it. Once I understood where it was coming from it was easier to avoid being a suspect and becoming the latest topic of rumors and gossip.

Suspicion is so high in a prison camp that any misinterpreted information can be damaging to your character. So what do you do in a case like that? The answer is simple you confront the issue by talking with the inmate spreading the rumor and correct the facts by telling them the truth. Answer all their questions when they ask about your conduct because it’s your word of honor that inmates come to respect.

Even after you set yourself as a man of integrity and honor there are still some that will be suspicious but amongst the group of respected inmates your character is one of trust and those are the ones you want on your side, the side of truth.

Share This

Upon immediate self-surrender to a federal prison camp, the new inmate is given a registration number from the BOP (bureau of prisons). This registration number consist of 8 digits (xxxxx-xxx), the first 5 are the next set of numbers available but the last 3 are regional identification which indicate the city and state you are from.

This new number begins the administrative file, medical and dental records, and commissary funds account. It also becomes the inmate’s property ID number because the staff stamps it on your clothes and etched on personal items like padlocks and radios.

Inmates are responsible in remembering this number because during 4:00 pm count time they are asked to say their number while officers verify their picture in a log book with the ID number.

Each inmate is also given an identification card with their number and picture printed on it. It’s also the card they use to get commissary items. Basically it’s like a debit card. All inmates must carry this card while on a their work detail because correctional officers and other prison camp staff will ask for your ID when they choose to question you for any reason.

This number is also vital with the mail. All mailings going in and out of the prison camp must have the inmate’s registration number on it. Failing to write the number will deny letters coming in and they will also be rejected in mailing them out. A bit of advice, it’s best to print the inmate’s number on every page of your letters and inside every book cover to ensure proper delivery to your loved one.

Share This

Watching TV is one of the inmates’ most dominate pastime. I have seen inmates sit in front of the TV for 5 hours straight, from the time they get off their work detail to the time they go to bed.

TV viewing is a little different in a prison camp than the way it’s done at home, the difference is that you need a radio. All TV programs are shown with no sound. Inmates have to get a radio in order to hear the TV shows and each TV location in the prison has a different frequency for the various shows. Pretty good idea, each inmate can listen to his radio as loud as he wants.

With all that TV watching, radios have become an important item and the most sought after for trade and for thieves. These radios are small and compact like the size of a cell phone and they are all purchased through the commissary. They come in all sorts of price ranges and models from a $15.00 RCA to a $60.00 Sony. The other important commodity is the batteries, inmates are constantly buying batteries.

What about the remote? Who decides what the inmates will watch with all those channels? In the main TV area it’s resolved by a democratic vote and the majority rules. Now, it’s a rule amongst the inmates that whoever is first to the TV controls the remote but this rule applies more to the smaller TV rooms. Anyone who challenges those rules can possibly get hurt depending on who is watching and how important the TV is to him. Yes, there have been fights over this but the respect over this rule is understood by all inmates because the consequence is no TV.

TV watching is also a way of punishment that the BOP administration and officers use to discipline inmates. You would be amazed at how quick inmates come to order when they are threatened with no TV. The BOP knows this fact and uses the TV’s to control the inmates behavior. Very affective!
 

Share This

Once the inmate has been cleared and the guest visitor is approved they can now visit in the area designated. This area is a large open room with plenty of seating, vending machines, and no privacy from others, it was like being in a hospital waiting room with all the noise of talking around you. Fortunately the camp I was in had an outdoor area attached with park like tables, benches, and umbrellas which made it very nice during spring and fall.

The officer checking people in would also be the one monitoring everyone’s conduct in the area. If the officer considers conduct to be inappropriate such as loud profanity, things of a sexual nature or signs of passing contraband then the officer would act with words of warning or terminating the visit.

Married and dating couples are allowed to hold hangs, hug one other, and kiss but they are closely watched because of sexual urges that sometimes get out of hand. Again, a firm warning from the officer would be given for minor incidents to canceling the visit. There was an actual case while I was there where an inmate’s sexual misconduct was so severe that he lost his camp status, very embarrassing for the couple. Rest rooms for men, women, and inmates were also designed to further avoid sexual and contraband misconduct.

The visitation is also a great time and place to meet the other inmate’s family members. This is very rewarding to the inmates because it brings closeness in two different ways. First, the inmates now share in something new to talk about with new respect and trust for each other, it’s a male bonding time. Second is the visitors, they get to talk with someone who is supportive and understands exactly what they are dealing with emotionally.

Time visiting is usually spent talking, playing games or catching up with news about family, business, and hearing about community events.

Visitation also brings out the gentleman in an inmate because they are very considerate of the others personal time with family. I even saw and witness family closeness at its’ finest as peace fills the area with family love. Inmates may be incarcerated but there is one thing that the BOP can not take from him and that’s his love for family. Very motivating, it brings great strength to each inmate and the endurance to go on. Praise God for love.

Share This

People who come to visit loved ones in a federal prison camp must also adhere to certain guidelines. They must first be approved by the BOP and camp administration, this occurs in two different ways.

First let us look at the immediate family members, such as the spouse, children, parents and siblings. They are listed on the inmates PSI which is a pre-sentencing report that is filled out during or after an inmate’s trial. The PSI is where the inmate has listed all his close family members and they are automatically approved to visit because this report remains with the inmate through out his time in the BOP.

The other way applies to friends and others who wish to visit. A BOP visitors form is sent to the person by the inmate and must be filled out and mailed back to the institution for approval. This process moves fairly quick and once approved the camp administration adds the new person to the list of approved visitors.

Now, let’s talk a little about the visitors rules. Men’s dress code is very flexible and casual. They were only allowed to take with them the basic items like their wallets, sunglasses, and car keys.

Women on the other hand were on a stricter guideline. The dress code had to be more on the reserve and modest side such as long skirts, no tank tops or clothing revealing their breast and shoulders. The women’s purses had to be a see through bag so the officers could see the items. Otherwise they would make you leave it in the car.

Basically it was pretty much the officer in charge of the visitation area who would judge if certain outfits were acceptable (man or woman) and sometimes they didn’t care.
 

Share This

Visitation from a wife, a family member or a friend is one of the inmate’s most favorite and welcomed time during a weekend and especially holidays.

It is very obvious by the excitement in most inmates when they are going to receive a visit. The sign of boots being polished and ironing of clothes is a sure bet that they are expecting someone the next day. Even the morning of the visit, inmates wake up early and begin their ritual grooming, dressed in clean pressed clothes, neatly shaven and wearing cologne.

With the inmates all ready, they patiently wait for the sight of a familiar vehicle. As family arrives, inmates make their way to the visiting area.

Before going to visit their family, inmates go through an area where they are checked. Depending upon the correctional officer on duty and the frequency of your visits determine how much they check you. First let me just say that federal prison camps are a bid more relaxed than inmates behind a fence.

At times inmates are just quickly padded down and there are times when they are completely searched by remove all their clothes except for boxers. The officer then marks down on a form your name and items you have like a comb or watch and with your signature to complete the process, only then can they enter into the visitation area.

Share This

One of the things that a federal prison camp is never in short supply of is inmates with tattoos, ranging from very detailed works of art to some unusually tactful images.

Personally I do not have tattoos and fail to see the attraction why people would have something permanently marked on their body especially when it’s something of poor taste.

Still, tattoos are a big business in the prison and a prison camp is no different. Men still want them and plan to get them when they get out which I heard numerous conversations about. There were even magazines that inmates subscribed to in order to keep up with the latest trends.

Remember that drawing is one of the pastimes in prison and giving or receiving a tattoo is one of the ways of expressing someone’s talent. Some inmates actually work and meditate on their new designs they want which I thought was good thinking since it was going to be on their body for life.

What about the inmates who come out of prison with tattoos? Yes, you are right, there are times when some men get impatient and want tattoos now for unknown reasons. I am here to tell you that inmates are resourceful and very inventive because they find a way. It may be unsanitary but that does not stop them and I have come to believe that it’s the thrill and rush of getting a tattoo in prison by defying the rules which appeals to them.
 

Share This

Do inmates get a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July? The answer is yes they do.

Like most Americans who gather family members and friends for a cook out at a local park and a time of games and other sport activities. Inmates in the federal prison camp do the same as the smell of charcoals burning brings fond memories with family.

The food service personnel have been very cooperative with the help of the inmates to prepare a wonderful holiday meal with grilled burgers, hotdogs and steak with all the trimmings of potato salad, baked beans, baked potato’s, coleslaw, pies, cakes and bread. It has become one of the meals inmates expect every year.

A Baseball tournament is one of the highlights that the inmates enjoy during this day of independence and usually everybody participates as players or game enjoying spectators. By the end of the day inmates are satisfied with a great meal and the fun of watching America’s favorite traditional pastime games.

When evening comes inmates huddle around the television to watch the institutionally selected movie of patriotism while others make phone calls to their loved ones and also write letters.

Basically the fourth of July holiday is a peaceful day and every inmate reflects on the freedom that our country was founded upon by sharing a good time the best way they can.

Share This

The words “Count Time” is a shout every inmate hears from the correctional officers during the day and evening. Inmates are generally counted four times throughout a 24 hour period.

The main count is taken at 4:00pm. When count time is called, every inmate reports to a designated spot on a line, usually there in a number painted on the floor that match your bed number. During this count an officer is coming by with a book that has everyone’s ID and number assigned to them by the BOP. Each inmate calls out his last name and number assigned when the officer comes by while another officer is taking a head count.

The evening count occurs at 9:00pm. When this count is called each inmate is to report to his bed area because some are already in bed. A quick head count is taken by two officers then inmates are quickly dismissed.

The other two counts are taken at 1:00am and 5:00am in the morning while everyone is sleeping.

On some occasions during a 9pm, 1am and 5am count when the numbers fail to match up for unknown reasons. The officers would yell “count time, every body on the line”. All inmates were to line up even those who were already sleeping had to get up (lots of grumbling).

Now there were times when the count was missing someone. At this point all inmates are ordered to stay in the dormitory or on the line till the missing person have been found. Only then were we dismissed to roam around outside again or to return to work details. The missing individual is then questioned for his actions.

Unscheduled count times occurred during foggy mornings where every body stayed in the dormitory area till a quick line count was taken then dismissed for work details when the fog lifted.

Another count was a surprise count every month while every inmate was on their work details. Each inmate was to report to their designated work location and counted by the officer supervising their work. Once the count was cleared, inmates went back to work.

Count time was also a time for no talking or the count would take longer. Some officers would actually go back to their office for a few minutes while inmates stayed in line and learned to be quiet. Some officers would single out the inmate who talked and discipline them by taking away some of their privileges. Inmates quickly learned to stop talking while count was taking place.

Count time is just a simple routine you have to get use to.

Share This

There will be times in the federal prison camp where you can volunteer to help other inmates, the BOP (bureau of prisons) prison staff and correctional officers.

My suggestion is that you know what you are getting yourself into before volunteering. I say that because other inmates are watching and suspicion is a doorway to a lot of bad and good things. It’s best to just not volunteer for anything until you have observed everything yourself for a while.

When you do decide to volunteer and help other inmates, make sure you follow through with your services because your word is very important. Inmates look for people who they can trust and those who honor their words will be the ones they respect.

Wait to be selected when it comes to helping a BOP staff member or correctional officer. Offering to help is admirable but when other inmates are watching, it can be a sign that you are looking for favor or as I mention in an earlier post, a rat.

If someone in the BOP staff happens to select you to help with something, just do it, be polite and keep quiet with no conversation unless they ask you a question. When you are finished with what they asked you to do, politely let them know you are done and wait to be dismissed. This will show the staff and officers that you respect their authority and you start gaining their confidence in you also. Remember that other inmates are still watching and this will be a testing time of your trust and honor to them because believe it or not, you are part of a family.

In regards to helping other inmates, someone new to the prison camp is a prime target for those wanting to take advantage of your generosity. You will be asked to help out by just simply sharing some of your commissary items, be careful because that is the first sign of a trap. Learn to say no from the beginning and just observe, the other inmates already know who is taking advantage of people and you will learn quickly who to trust.

Volunteering to help is good and eventually you will make friends and help each other with favors and exchanging of services. But the goal here is to survive the time you are incarcerated and get back to your family. So again be a man of your word to everyone, friend or foe, because in the end your word and how you act on it will become your strength and the best equipment to survive.

Share This