What's it like

[enigma™]

Tell me, have you been locked up ?
Well, my husband has and he said it was like living with the devil himself.

No, I am pleased to announce I have never been in prison, jail or time-out (except for on this board, but that does not count). I read a lot. :tonguewag:

[frankdrack]

The word controlled hits me dead on. I love my freedom. I like my creature comforts; my bed, my pillow, my extra bold coffee, my garden, the sun and the moon and fresh air.....whenever I want it.

The minute you set foot in prison, all of the above , and more, is GONE.

I would want to know there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't forget the NOISE.

[achristie]

Don't forget the NOISE.

See? I never thought of that. I can control ( for the most part) the NOISE in my life. How many of us covet our quiet times? We know how awful it is when we can't control it. But most of us CAN control it at certain times.

[frankdrack]

See? I never thought of that. I can control ( for the most part) the NOISE in my life. How many of us covet our quiet times? We know how awful it is when we can't control it. But most of us CAN control it at certain times.

When I read reasearch about prison life noise is always near the top of complaints. I guess that it just never stops.

[jerry50]

See? I never thought of that. I can control ( for the most part) the NOISE in my life. How many of us covet our quiet times? We know how awful it is when we can't control it. But most of us CAN control it at certain times.

What about the smell?

[5swab5]

See? I never thought of that. I can control ( for the most part) the NOISE in my life. How many of us covet our quiet times? We know how awful it is when we can't control it. But most of us CAN control it at certain times.

OOPS,

Thanks Aggie for the explanation. Hmm, not sure why I hadn't thought a lot about the noise? Guess I was too hung up on the smell from all those dudes.

Jason must be either in sensory overdrive or shutting down about now. I still look for a plea.:smile:MOO

[Tia]

See? I never thought of that. I can control ( for the most part) the NOISE in my life. How many of us covet our quiet times? We know how awful it is when we can't control it. But most of us CAN control it at certain times.

OMG, I would DIE if I couldn't go to my room, shut my door, and turn on HLN and block out the noise.

[frankdrack]

???????????????

IMO typical decibel level in prison is somewhere around 85 - 90. Typical office is about 60.

OSHA requires hearing protection at 85.

[achristie]

When I read reasearch about prison life noise is always near the top of complaints. I guess that it just never stops.

In my younger years when working( lots of alarms and chatter and activity), I was quite good at tuning the noise out. I'm still pretty good at it. But not 24/7. That would do me in.

[jerry50]

My husband was allowed to use wax earplugs. He said they worked like a charm.

I have never heard of a prison passing out earplugs. Is he sure they weren't suppositories? They work like a charm too.

[5swab5]

What about the smell?

((SIGH))...I always get beat to the post. ((dial-up)) GMTA...BTW.

There was a poster @ WS, her brother was in San Quentin...Smells wins, as I read it, then noise. Good Food and Privacy were just things of the past. BUT, free education, dental, health and all the pruno you can make. MOO.

[5swab5]

IMO typical decibel level in prison is somewhere around 85 - 90. Typical office is about 60.

OSHA requires hearing protection at 85.

That's amazing. Offices are @ 60? I'd start loading the pot with DE-Caf. I don't think it is just the noise in prison tho, I think it is that it NEVER quits. Kinda like the smell. MOO

[achristie]

IMO typical decibel level in prison is somewhere around 85 - 90. Typical office is about 60.

OSHA requires hearing protection at 85.

Only you would know that about OSHA.:laugh: So what's all the noise about in prison? Have you experienced it? How come they can't settle in? Is it because so many of them are mentally ill? Or are they just crazed from confinement? I've made an attempt to read a bit about prison life , but I just can't stay with it. It's too creepy and dark.

[Barbara2]

That's amazing. Offices are @ 60? I'd start loading the pot with DE-Caf. I don't think it is just the noise in prison tho, I think it is that it NEVER quits. Kinda like the smell. MOO

It depends on the prison. I visited two as part of a counseling class I was taking. One was an old school prison with the cellblocks like you see in the movies. It was a very depressing place and the prisoners (we got a chance to interview them) were miserable. The other one was like a college campus. The prisoners had no choice but to go outside at some point because the "dining hall" was in a different buildings from the cells. The atmosphere was COMPLETELY different.

I wouldn't want to live in either one but if I had to and was given a choice I would have chosen Warren (http://www.drc.state.oh.us/public/wci.htm) over Lebanon (http://www.drc.state.oh.us/Public/leci.htm).

[jerry50]

He did say the smell would gag a rat.
Shouldn't bother Jay too much since he apparently goes days w/o changing his drawers. LOL

It would have to be a toss-up between the smell and the noise for me.
It has got to be really gross in there. Have you heard that in the concrete walk outside of the cells there is a gutter? Inmates like to plug their toilets and let the overflow go through their cells and out unto the walkway. It gets washed or swept into the gutters.
Why don't they show movies of prison life to kids nowadays? It would certainly scare most people I know.

[Barbara2]

What was the difference between the two? Male/female, or levels of security?

Both all male. Levels of security were the same. It was the buildings. In Warren, we went into a small building for security and then left and were outside and walking towards the other buildings. Prisoners were outside working on the lawns and gardens. It was like a college campus.

At Lebanon, we walked into the building and the iron bars clanged shut behind us. The prisoners were walking down the hallways and had to walk single file down one side or the other depending on which way they were going. It was dark and depressing.

Getting assigned to one or the other is a matter of luck (or unluck). It depends on who has space.

[5swab5]

It would have to be a toss-up between the smell and the noise for me.
It has got to be really gross in there. Have you heard that in the concrete walk outside of the cells there is a gutter? Inmates like to plug their toilets and let the overflow go through their cells and out unto the walkway. It gets washed or swept into the gutters.
Why don't they show movies of prison life to kids nowadays? It would certainly scare most people I know.

I WISH it would work!

I don't think it would make any difference to kids these days tho. I think mistakes sometimes take a generation to correct. Kids today are coddled, have been for quite a few years.

We see it SO much now. Get married...literally...'til death do we part". Trouble is, wives are dying WAY before their time, young males are in prison for LIFE or worse...and the husband's parents are still screaming foul.

It IS happening right here in our Country. Jason Lynn Young is nothing special. Just another slayer/statistic. IMO

[frankdrack]

Only you would know that about OSHA.:laugh: So what's all the noise about in prison? Have you experienced it? How come they can't settle in? Is it because so many of them are mentally ill? Or are they just crazed from confinement? I've made an attempt to read a bit about prison life , but I just can't stay with it. It's too creepy and dark.

Never been in prison for any reason.

[5swab5]

Never been in prison for any reason.


Me neither. I drew the line at one night in the "drunk tank" compliments of the State, back when I was in college. I have never SEEN so many cockroaches, 'cept in a movie and these were MUCH bigger!

There has been a lot of speculation about the weekend before the murders. There was an N.C. State game in VA. It would have been a silly place for Jason to have stayed..away from all the parties, etc. But I have to wonder. Good opportunity to check out that particular Hampton. Wonder how long they keep their security tapes? IMO

[cognac]

I have never heard of a prison passing out earplugs. Is he sure they weren't suppositories? They work like a charm too.

:lol::lol::lol: Now that is hysterical!

[Leanne Weich]

Me neither. I drew the line at one night in the "drunk tank" compliments of the State, back when I was in college. I have never SEEN so many cockroaches, 'cept in a movie and these were MUCH bigger!

There has been a lot of speculation about the weekend before the murders. There was an N.C. State game in VA. It would have been a silly place for Jason to have stayed..away from all the parties, etc. But I have to wonder. Good opportunity to check out that particular Hampton. Wonder how long they keep their security tapes? IMO

I've also heard of the cockroach problem. I also read some prisons are infested with rats the size of cats that emerge at night. They wouldn't have to give me the injection because I'd have a heart attack and drop dead.

[achristie]

Never been in prison for any reason.

I should have worded that more clearly. I didn't mean you personally. I thought you mentioned working with a lot of attys.

[Cardinal]

I have communicated with someone that has actually been in the home before it was cleaned. I will share what he said so hopefully you can understand what really happened in the bathroom.

"In Cassidy's bathroom there was a blood spot up higher than Cassie could reach."

1 + 1 = Jason and Kim Young

First, I don't think it's possible to know "what really happened in the bathroom" unless one was there at the time. We can only speculate.

Second, no offense, but I don't attach any credibility to the statements of an unnamed person who was in the home, particularly if, as I suspect, that person would likely have a strong bias in Jason's favor. That aside, an alleged blood spot "higher than Cassie could reach" doesn't necessarily negate my hypothesis - the alleged blood spot could have gotten there some other way.

As for Kim Young being involved, I speculated about that for quite some time, here on this board. That possibility, however, was vehemently countered by another poster. Perhaps you missed it? While I'm still willing to consider it, I've seen nothing in the SWs to indicate that LE considers her a suspect, and her email exchanges with Jason don't demonstrate, to me, her involvement. Have you seen something concrete that would point to her?

JMO

[birdwatch]

I'm trying to see where the converstion between Cardinal and mimiof5 fits into the prison discussion: I feel like I dropped in to an alternate universe.

[annalyzer]

I'm trying to see where the converstion between Cardinal and mimiof5 fits into the prison discussion: I feel like I dropped in to an alternate universe.

I'm lost too. :blink:

[Cardinal]

I'm trying to see where the converstion between Cardinal and mimiof5 fits into the prison discussion: I feel like I dropped in to an alternate universe.

So do I - I posted that on the Michelle Young thread. I can't imagine how it got here.

[birdwatch]

So do I - I posted that on the Michelle Young thread. I can't imagine how it got here. Too funny Cardinal. I thought it might have been something like that - clearly you were responding to a post that was not on this thread. I wonder how that happened. A little administrative joke on us?:laugh:

[gnm109]

This is an unusual thread. I notice that it started with a quote and some references I hadn't heard of. It's all good though.

As to prison. I've been there....ahhh, I mean I took a law enforcement and attorney educational tour through Old Folsom in Northern California in 1995. It was rather unpleasant. It smelled, it was dark, it was terribly noisy, it felt ominous and I couldn't wait to get out.

As our group went through the various areas, all eyes were upon us, as if we were prey being watched by predators.

One intereating thing I saw was the license plate shop. It's considered a choice assignment and the people who work there are generally lifers who have risen to the top of the criminal convict hierarchy. They get somewhat better pay which translates into items that can be purchased to improve their conditions and also to trade with others for various, ahem, "prison services".

It was sobering for me. I recommend a trip through a prison for all young people when they are still impressionable.

JMO

[Details]

Never been to prison nor jail - thank goodness - but what I've heard about that would also drive me nuts - the heat and cold! You don't get your own thermostat, nor a lot of choice on the clothes you wear.

[kennedy06]

Don't any of you watch Lockup? On M S N B C on Sat nights? What have I learned, most of the stuff already disgused here but also other weird things, some prisons have areas where bands, rock, Latino, country music.. so forth can practice, one had a music director (2 different prisons IIRC) one a guy complained because his cable went out! So some have cable apparently. One guy in Corcoran washed his floor often because when he came inside he said there are guys with diseases in prison and it could be on the dirt he brought in on his shoes, he and his cellmate were allowed only 3 flushes an hour. Some like one down south they have a rodeo and the prisoners ride and win small amts of money and the townspeople can watch.

You ought to go to M S N B C lockup on utube or their site for the show, its interesting.

I guess the latest thing if you have the money there are guys that will be your prison coach, I think 3 were mentioned in the article I read. They are former prisoners who will give you pointers and things for situations you may get into, how to handle things!

Remember Phil S went to the dentist on his own dime about a month ago, he paid for the guards and transportation so he was allowed to go to his private dentist.

With all its awfulness and boy I wouldn't want to end up in one there are things that still surprise me, like the ones I listed above.

JMO.

[gnm109]

Don't any of you watch Lockup? On M S N B C on Sat nights? What have I learned, most of the stuff already disgused here but also other weird things, some prisons have areas where bands, rock, Latino, country music.. so forth can practice, one had a music director (2 different prisons IIRC) one a guy complained because his cable went out! So some have cable apparently. One guy in Corcoran washed his floor often because when he came inside he said there are guys with diseases in prison and it could be on the dirt he brought in on his shoes, he and his cellmate were allowed only 3 flushes an hour. Some like one down south they have a rodeo and the prisoners ride and win small amts of money and the townspeople can watch.

You ought to go to M S N B C lockup on utube or their site for the show, its interesting.

I guess the latest thing if you have the money there are guys that will be your prison coach, I think 3 were mentioned in the article I read. They are former prisoners who will give you pointers and things for situations you may get into, how to handle things!

Remember Phil S went to the dentist on his own dime about a month ago, he paid for the guards and transportation so he was allowed to go to his private dentist.

With all its awfulness and boy I wouldn't want to end up in one there are things that still surprise me, like the ones I listed above.

JMO.

The Lockup and prison Shows are the only time I watch MSNBC. That's only on weekends, of course. From what I've seen, both on the tour that I took as well as prison shows on MSNBC and on NATGEO and others, it's not pleasant.

Prisoners face constant danger from their fellow inmates, even from their cellmates. Most of them will be forced to join a gang out of the need for protection. This usually leads to further crimes in prison which often will increase the length of stay, up to and including life.

But it's good that those shows are aired. It makes people aware of just how easy it is in this country to get incarcerated. It should be enough to make an ordinary person want to go straight.

:biggrin:

[Themis]

The Lockup and prison Shows are the only time I watch MSNBC. That's only on weekends, of course. From what I've seen, both on the tour that I took as well as prison shows on MSNBC and on NATGEO and others, it's not pleasant.

Prisoners face constant danger from their fellow inmates, even from their cellmates. Most of them will be forced to join a gang out of the need for protection. This usually leads to further crimes in prison which often will increase the length of stay, up to and including life.

But it's good that those shows are aired. It makes people aware of just how easy it is in this country to get incarcerated. It should be enough to make an ordinary person want to go straight.

:biggrin:
I bolded your last paragraph of your text, GNM109.

Yes, it is good. What would be worthwhile (IMO) is to start showing tapes of these shows once every year from 6th grade to 12th.

Having teens see what it is really like in prison just might be the incentive they need. [JMO * Themis]

[forensicpsy~]

Prison is a community very much like the streets. The social structure doesn't change inside.

Meaning...the same behavior exists. An inmate who gets a new pair of sneakers often gets them stolen by another inmate - 0r an inmate with alot of money in his commisery will often be extorted - there are gangs and there is inmate-on-inmate violence.


So even if you are in prison and want to mind your own business and do your time, very often you can't because you are tormented by the other prisoners. :mad:

imo

[gnm109]

Prison is a community very much like the streets. The social structure doesn't change inside.

Meaning...the same behavior exists. An inmate who gets a new pair of sneakers often gets them stolen by another inmate - 0r an inmate with alot of money in his commisery will often be extorted - there are gangs and there is inmate-on-inmate violence.


So even if you are in prison and want to mind your own business and do your time, very often you can't because you are tormented by the other prisoners. :mad:

imo

That's quite correct. From what I understand, there is great pressure on new convicts to join a gang to avoid being beaten, robbed or worse. To be unafilliated in the general population is to subject oneself to all manner of danger and potential abuse.

Worse yet, after convicts arrive and align themselves with a certain group, they are subject to the whims of the so-called "shot-callers". Often the lower-ranking members of the group must show their loyalty by carrying out beatings or even stabbings and killings of the others who disrespect members of the gang or interfere with their illegal activities behind bars.

In this manner, sentences often get longer and longer through time rather than shortening as the original release date is reached.

It's enough to scare us straight. LOL.

[JD1974]

I have been in a county jail (DUI) it scared me straight, I no longer drink AT ALL. That place was disgusting, people watching you use the bathroom, taking a shower. I hated it and I will never go back. I was there for 2 days because the court didn't send my paperwork about my bond over to the jail, I was miserable and afraid to move.

[gnm109]

I have been in a county jail (DUI) it scared me straight, I no longer drink AT ALL. That place was disgusting, people watching you use the bathroom, taking a shower. I hated it and I will never go back. I was there for 2 days because the court didn't send my paperwork about my bond over to the jail, I was miserable and afraid to move.

Good for you. I used to drink moderately but not any more. One visit to jail should be enough for any normal person.

[Themis]

i don't think kids today think anything can happen to them and the ones who are involved in things that could easily land them in prison aren't as concerned as they would be if they really understood the concept of how long a year can be, etc...but then there is the sick kind of respect they think they get from their "homies" if they do their time...who knows...it is a sick new world.
I would think the noise and smell, yes, but also in some prisons, they never turn the lights out, now that would drive me insane. I could not bear having light in my eyes all the time...am so spoiled when i think of it...but hate to even have a crack of light when i try to sleep or any noise at all...
I hear what you are saying and I agree with you, cbryce@, especially your last paragraph!
I *still* think adults need to try to impress on kids the reality of what prison is. I use the word prison on purpose -- in many areas of the country county jail time can be a relative walk in the park. The last one I was rather familiar with had pool tables in the rec room -- I kid you not.
My suggestion about showing tapes yearly to every classroom from 6th to 12th grade took into account the high cost of actually participating in some sort of Scared Straight Program for those that indicate they need it.
Sure, there are those kids who even in 6th grade are already into a life of crime, albeit on a small scale -- shoplifting, being a runner/carrier for corner drug dealers. There's going to be the snickering and swaggering around in being The Tough One.
The *public* (and I include all levels of the education system) can probably do little to reach them.
Sadly, too many children are being raised in a bad environment and by people who really do not give a carp.

You're right on when you write no one can truly make a kid understand just how long 1 year or 2 or 5 years can be while locked up.

At days end, though, what harm would be done by watching an hour video once a year for those grades I mentioned. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I appreciated reading them. [JMO * Themis]

[Keegan]

No, I am pleased to announce I have never been in prison, jail or time-out (except for on this board, but that does not count). I read a lot. :tonguewag:

There are senior citizens that think prison is better than what they are living. Some have little or no health care, dental care and living on pennies a day. It broke my heart to read that a senior saved all month to treat herself to a candy bar.

There are children too. Children with parents in jail that are hungry. I bet many of them would wish for prison. Three square served daily. A few pennies on the side to buy a treat. Clean clothes and bedding. Believe it or not some may think it is safe and it probably is safer than what they are living. Molested? They have lived it most likely. No parents to protect them.

Our prisoners have it good next to the poor and seniors of our country. Big punishment. TV's that work. Food. Clothing. Sports. Shoes. Dental. Health. I have not an ounce of sympathy for them

[gnm109]

There are senior citizens that think prison is better than what they are living. Some have little or no health care, dental care and living on pennies a day. It broke my heart to read that a senior saved all month to treat herself to a candy bar.

There are children too. Children with parents in jail that are hungry. I bet many of them would wish for prison. Three square served daily. A few pennies on the side to buy a treat. Clean clothes and bedding. Believe it or not some may think it is safe and it probably is safer than what they are living. Molested? They have lived it most likely. No parents to protect them.

Our prisoners have it good next to the poor and seniors of our country. Big punishment. TV's that work. Food. Clothing. Sports. Shoes. Dental. Health. I have not an ounce of sympathy for them

I've taken a tour through a prison. Perhaps there is some truth to what you say with regard to relative conditions of some parts of society in comparison to prison.

Looking more closely, however, tthe worst day on the outside of prison is still better than the best day inside of prison because on the outside, there is some hope for change and freedom.

In your desire to make your comparison, you minimize the potential for molestation, hurt and danger in prison. On the other hand, you stress the cleanliness and pleasant amenities.

Prison is not nice. There's no way you can convince me.

[Keegan]

I've taken a tour through a prison. Perhaps there is some truth to what you say with regard to relative conditions of some parts of society in comparison to prison.

Looking more closely, however, tthe worst day on the outside of prison is still better than the best day inside of prison because on the outside, there is some hope for change and freedom.

In your desire to make your comparison, you minimize the potential for molestation, hurt and danger in prison. On the other hand, you stress the cleanliness and pleasant amenities.

Prison is not nice. There's no way you can convince me.

Many children left behind when a parent is in prison ARE molested (it was mentioned in my post), hurt and in danger as we type.

[gnm109]

Many children left behind when a parent is in prison ARE molested (it was mentioned in my post), hurt and in danger as we type.

Children should be helped. That should be the focus of society. The comparison to conditions in prison doesn't work, for me at least. There is nothing nice about prison.

[gnm109]

so much of the problem of parents in prison comes back to drugs, mostly meth these days...it is astonishing to see how many so-called adults carry on illegal and harmful lifestyles with children in the home...this is where the Haleigh Cummings, etc...come in...sooner or later something goes wrong...or the child is placed with less than ideal fosters, relatives, etc...while parents do their latest stint...it boggles my mind how this stuff (meth) seems to have the ability to block out all other facets of a person's life simply to focus on getting the drug for the next fix, no matter what...

Yes. It's certainly powerful stuff. People, once hooked, will do almost anything to get it. You can spot a meth user quickly, as well. After a few years of use, their teeth are bad, their complexion is poor with skin eruptions and they are almost completely unreliable in day to day social interaction. They are often violent and, given their inability to hold down a job, they often resort to criminal acts to foster their habit.

It's widely known that drug addiction, while not illegal in and of itself, is responsible for much of the burglary that is seen.

One thing that concerns me is the increasing use of marijuana and the obvious misuse of the laws, in California anyway, having to do with medical use of marijuana.

While I don't want to start a dispute over the relative benefits of marijuana use for those who really need it, I'm of the opinion that there are many who are now growing it and using it under quasi-legal circumtances.

Furthermore, there is a conflict between federal and state laws, especially in California. The federal law says that marijuana is per se illegal and California says it's OK for medical users. There are people in jail right now serving time for selling it while the new administration has said they have no interest in enforcing the law. That's not a good situation for the users.

The thought of any sort of controlled hallucogenic drugs being used in a home where children reside is repugnant to me.