In previous blog posts, I have mentioned just how important it is for an inmate to receive letters from friends and family. For a prison inmate, communication with the outside world is extremely limited. If they don’t have access to a TV or radio, the only way an inmate comes in contact with the outside… Continue reading How to Write an Inmate a Letter
In previous blog posts, I have written about how much I love my pets. My cat Dale and my dog Titus are my fur babies, and they are an important part of my family. Dale is three years old and Titus is four, so they didn’t become part of my life until after I left… Continue reading Can Pets Visit You in Prison?
I’ll be honest, my pets are my children. My sweet little Shih Tzu Titus is 4-years-old and a champion snuggler. My cat Dale is 3-years-old, and he rules the house. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love my pets and always joke that they are my emotional support animals. The truth is that… Continue reading Can You Have Pets in Prison?
When you are sentenced to time in prison and placed into custody, the process of stripping away your personal identity immediately begins. Officers take away your clothes and all personal belongings and give you a jail uniform to wear while you wait for your transfer to prison. In prison life, conformity is key. Prison officials… Continue reading Can You Wear Jordan’s in Prison?
When I was in prison, one of the best moments of the day was mail call. Every weeknight, an officer would come onto the wing and hand out inmate mail. Sometimes, I would get letters or emails from home. Other times, I would receive letters from people I had never met, but who had read… Continue reading What Can You Put in Prison Letters?
When people ask me about my prison experience, one of the most common questions I get is about clothing. People are always interested in what inmates are allowed to wear. When we see prison inmates on TV and in movies, we usually see them in an orange jumpsuit or a khaki two-piece. This is actually… Continue reading Can You Wear Jeans in Prison?
Earning money is just as important for an inmate in prison as it is for someone in the free world. In addition to “three hots and a cot,” the state provides an inmate with an absolute minimum number of supplies – a few items of clothing, a sheet and towel, and hygiene items. Other than… Continue reading How Can You Earn Money in Prison?
One of the most glaring differences about living your life in prison compared to the free world is that you have almost no control over who you spend your time with. When an inmate arrives for processing into a prison, they are assigned a cell and a bunk. Inmates have no influence on where they… Continue reading Can You Keep to Yourself in Prison?
For most prison inmates, regular communication with friends and family in the free world is essential to surviving their segregation from society. Thanks to modern technology, inmates no longer have to rely on handwritten letters and phone calls to communicate with their loved ones. These days, friends and family can communicate with their incarcerated loved… Continue reading Can You Swear in Prison Letters?
Did you know there is prison inside of a prison? You may have heard it called “the hole” or “the SHU” or “solitary confinement.” But all of those names are referring to one place inside of prison walls – administrative segregation (AdSeg). The specific name depends on the facility, but administrative segregation is always a… Continue reading Protective Custody in Prison
There is an old saying that claims “necessity is the mother of invention.” The overwhelming evidence that proves that saying is true can be found behind prison walls. Inmates have extremely limited access to items that people in the free world take for granted. This means that everything is repurposed and nothing goes to waste. … Continue reading What is Prison Hooch and How do Inmates Make it?
When I went to prison, I had no idea what to expect. My only exposure to life behind bars was from TV and movies. And, as I’ve explained numerous times on PrisonInsight, Hollywood gets it extremely wrong. To my surprise, prisons aren’t filled with evil murderers and rapists. But please don’t misunderstand me – there… Continue reading Is Prison As Bad as People Say it is?
During most blog posts here on Prison Insight, I talk a lot about the things that prison inmates are not allowed to do. I also discuss the rights inmates lose when they are incarcerated as well as when they are released back into society as felons. Today, I am going to talk about something else… Continue reading Are Prisoners Drafted For War?
Whenever I choose a blog post topic, it is usually based on the questions we receive from our readers. But sometimes, I get inspiration by looking at the Google search trends to see the most frequently asked questions about prison. Today’s blog post is a result of those questions on Google. I chose this topic… Continue reading Why Are Inmates so Muscular?
There aren’t many things that are universal in American prisons. Every facility has their own way of doing things. Operations and inmate interactions depend on things like the facility’s security level and the housing set-up. Unfortunately, the one thing that you will find in every prison is violence. But inmates don’t usually fight with each… Continue reading What Happens if You Fight in Prison?
When you are preparing to visit someone in prison for the first time, you will most likely have a lot of questions. When you walk onto a DOC or BOP property, it’s a completely different world. There are rules about absolutely everything – even for the visitors from the free world. Before making it to… Continue reading Can You Record Prison Visits?
It’s not a secret that plenty of crime goes on inside of prison walls. Some inmates are able to run criminal enterprises from their cell and smuggle drugs and cell phones, while others may have inappropriate relationships with officers, resulting in pregnancy. As a former inmate in a women’s prison, I can only speak to… Continue reading How do Inmates Manipulate Correctional Officers?
For the past five decades, America has fallen in love with the idea of mass incarceration. The prison population in this country has skyrocketed since the beginning of the drug war, and one of the main reasons the numbers have gone down recently is because of COVID-19. We lock up a greater share of our… Continue reading Can a Disabled Person go to Jail?
This week, the Federal Bureau of Prisons was scheduled to execute the first federal inmate in over 17 years, but a federal judge postponed it because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just three days ahead of convicted killer Daniel Lewis Lee’s execution, Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson from the Southern District of Indiana sided with the family of… Continue reading Why do Inmates go on Death Row?
When you are sentenced to prison after being convicted of a crime, you will be in a corrections environment for at least one year. Prisons house inmates who commit felonies, and those types of crimes can have a sentence ranging from one year to life without the possibility of parole. This means that when you… Continue reading How do You Let go of The Prison Mentality?
One of my favorite episodes of The Office is titled, “The Convict,” and it features Michael Scott (Steve Carell) finding out that a new employee at Dunder Mifflin has a criminal record. The funny thing is that I watched the episode well before I actually went to prison, and I watched it again after I… Continue reading How Does Prison Change a Person?
I know it might seem like the beginning of summer isn’t the right time to be talking about Christmas, but I disagree. In my world, there is never a bad time to talk about the holiday. And, considering how difficult the first part of 2020 has been, I can only imagine how grateful we will… Continue reading Can You Visit Someone in Prison on Christmas Day?
It’s no secret that criminal justice reform and the role of the police in our society have become hotly-debated political topics in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. As a criminal justice reform activist, I am excited that American citizens are having this discussion. One of the arguments I have heard regularly from those who… Continue reading What Criminals Are The Most Hated in Prison?
When I was in prison, there was nothing that brought me more joy than a visit from a loved one. I looked forward to every visit with crazy anticipation, and when the moment finally arrived, those four hours flew by way too fast. Most prisons have visiting hours on the weekends, but the number, length,… Continue reading Can You be on Two Inmate Visiting Lists?
For the past couple of months, prisons all over the country have shut down their visiting rooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, this is a safety precaution, but the damage this decision does to an inmate’s health and well-being can’t be understated. Visits are crucial for a prison inmate, and they are encouraged by… Continue reading How Can I Find Out if I am on an Inmate’s Visiting List?
After the arrest of George Floyd led to his death at the knees of an officer in the Minneapolis Police Department, protests have broken out all over the globe. But, as everyone knows, many of these peaceful protests have been hijacked by violent looters, and that has resulted in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)… Continue reading George Floyd Protests Trigger BOP Lockdown
When I was growing up, my parents taught me the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I was also given little nuggets of wisdom like “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I consider myself to be a pretty nice person. In fact, I can… Continue reading What Happens to You in Prison if You’re Nice?
I don’t consider myself to be a big talker, but my family might disagree. Even with a journalism degree and a podcast, I feel like I do most of my talking through the written word instead of speaking. When I do have conversations with my friends, I prefer going deep on an interesting subject instead… Continue reading What Do You Talk About When Visiting Someone in Prison?
I recently celebrated the third anniversary of the day I walked out of prison. I spent four years at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center in Vandalia, Missouri, for a first-time, non-violent, marijuana offense, and my time behind bars opened my eyes to the realities of the United States prison system. I have… Continue reading Why Do Inmates Get Free Food?
Ever since the drug war began in the early 1970s, prisons have been filled with non-violent drug offenders who have problems with addiction. Many of these are people who are victim to themselves and their families. The sad fact is that prison doesn’t usually help people with addiction issues. Unless the inmate has a strong… Continue reading How Does a Drug User Get Clean if They Are in Prison?
Today’s question is a difficult one to answer. I was so upset and beat down after I was put in prison, that happiness wasn’t even a thought. I’ve got to be honest – I didn’t think I deserved to be in there. The common joke is that everyone in prison will tell you they are… Continue reading Can You be Happy in Prison?
When you are living in the free world, there can be numerous reasons why you would move to a new home. People move because they get a new job, or get a raise and can afford a larger home. Or, on the flipside, people can downsize due to job loss or retirement. Other people move… Continue reading Why Would an Inmate be Moved to a Different Cell?
Today’s blog post will be a little bit different than what we usually do here at Prison Insight. Instead of answering a specific question about life as a prison inmate, we wanted to create a guide to the Presentence Investigation (PSI) Report. The Presentence Investigation Report is a document that gives you the chance to… Continue reading Guide to The Presentence Investigation (PSI) Report
I’ve never been a big holiday person, so when I was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a first-time marijuana offense, I was surprised to find out just how much being incarcerated on a holiday affected me. I realized on the inside that when I was in the real world, holidays were pretty great.… Continue reading What Are Holidays Like in Prison?
Ever since I was incarcerated for nearly four years for a marijuana charge, one of my biggest pet peeves is when people conflate the words “jail” and “prison.” Yes, they are both legal confinement facilities, but there is a big difference between a jail and a prison. I’m not sure why using the two words… Continue reading Jail vs Prison – What’s The Difference?
Once someone gets sucked into the judicial system and prison system, it can be extremely difficult to get out of it. We have a dangerously high recidivism rate in America, which is the percentage of inmates who return to prison after being released. When someone is released from prison, the rules we have set up… Continue reading Why Inmates Return To Prison
As I write this blog post, people around the world are under shelter-in-place orders or on full lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials at jails and prisons all over the United States are trying to figure out what they can do to help stop the spread of the virus. Many have decided to release… Continue reading Why Would an Inmate be on Lockdown?
Whenever you are preparing to visit a prison inmate for the first time, there are definitely things you need to know. If you don’t arrive at the prison fully prepared, it could result in the prison staff denying your visit. And, since most people have to travel to visit their incarcerated loved one, you definitely… Continue reading Visiting an Inmate For The First Time – 10 Things to Know
Coronavirus. We’re all dealing with it in one way or another. For most of us, it requires us to work from home, or maybe you’ve even lost your job over it. It hasn’t been easy for anyone and no one is safe. Regardless of your situation, there is a population of roughly 2.3 million people… Continue reading Coronavirus in the Prison System
In the United States, citizens are protected from illegal search and seizures thanks to the 4th amendment of the Constitution. Unfortunately, those protections aren’t as strong as they once were because of laws like The Patriot Act, but that is a subject for another day. When you go to prison, you lose all of your… Continue reading How Often do Prison Guards Search Inmates Cells?
The official visitation policy from every state’s Department of Corrections and the federal Bureau of Prisons will likely tell you that regularly visiting your inmate is an important part of the rehabilitation process. However, when a prison allows visitors to come into the facility and have direct contact with the inmates, it presents a huge… Continue reading Why Would an Inmate Lose Visitation?
In the words of the great poet Puff Daddy, it’s all about the Benjamins. I didn’t share that lyric with you just to prove my amazing knowledge of 90s rap songs, but it’s because today’s blog post is all about money. When someone goes to prison, it’s easy for someone on the outside to think… Continue reading Why do Inmates Get Paid?
When you have a loved one locked up in the county jail, visiting them is extremely important. The days crawl by at a snail’s pace when you are sitting in a jail cell, so it’s nice to mix things up and do something different for an hour each week. But, it’s about more than getting… Continue reading Can I Visit Someone in Jail if my ID is Expired?
In my prison experience, inmates are not seen as people by the criminal justice system, the prison system, or the prison administration and staff. It seems like when a person is convicted of a crime — no matter if it’s something financial, like failing to pay child support or something as heinous as first degree… Continue reading Can You Get Kosher Food In Prison?
You might be surprised to find out that there is quite the process behind which prison an inmate is housed in after they are sentenced. They don’t just put you anywhere they have an available bed. Instead, there is a process called “Receiving & Orientation” or “Classification” where an inmate is evaluated when they are… Continue reading How to Get an Inmate Transferred
Curling up with a good book on a cold day was one of my favorite pastimes growing up. My Audible account has been getting a workout lately when I go on my daily walks. Currently, I am making my way through Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life, and it’s absolutely fantastic. Reading is such an… Continue reading Can You Have Books In Prison?
One of the worst parts about being in prison was the lack of access to proper medical care. It was the absolute worst. When you are in prison and you aren’t feeling well — for anything from a headache to pneumonia — you have to fill out a form and go to your housing unit’s,… Continue reading What Happens if You Have a Stroke In Prison?
It’s no secret that video games are a multi-billion dollar industry. Over the past three decades, gaming has become a bigger business than the movie and music industry combined. And, even if you don’t have a gaming console, chances are you have a gaming app on your phone, so you can play some Candy Crush… Continue reading Can You Play Video Games In Prison?
Music is such an important part of my everyday life. My Spotify playlist is always in the background when I’m working, and I can perform full concerts with SiriusXM radio in my car. The 21st century has been a great time for music lovers to be alive. It’s easier than ever to access incredible music,… Continue reading Can You Have an iPod In Prison?
As a person of single status, I considered myself to be lucky when I was incarcerated because I didn’t have to worry about a relationship. Just about everyone who has a significant other when they get locked up thinks that the relationship will survive, but the sad truth is that relationships rarely make it through… Continue reading Divorce and Incarceration 101 – Everything You Want to Know
Because the majority of people who are incarcerated have struggled with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, an incredibly high number of prison inmates are smokers. Up until recently, people who went to prison still had access to tobacco products via the commissary. However, that has changed dramatically in the past few years. I was incarcerated… Continue reading Can You Have Cigarettes In Prison?
It’s impossible to live life in the 21st century without the use of computers. You can’t drive a car, get your work done, or pay for a cup of coffee these days without a computer. It’s pretty amazing to think that we have more computing power in our smartphone than NASA had for the first… Continue reading Can You Use Computers In Prison?
I confess, I am a fan of guitar-playing singer/songwriters, and I even went so far as to follow Dave Matthews Band around the country during the summer of 2003. What a fantastic few months! While learning how to play the guitar can benefit your dating life – or even lead to a successful career –… Continue reading Can You Play Guitar In Prison?
When I was growing up, it was a running joke in my family about how loud my dad snored. It was REALLY bad, and I could never figure out how my mom put up with it. One year we were on vacation, and we stopped at a motel for a night on the way to… Continue reading What Happens if You Snore In Prison?
Can you imagine what life would be like without your cell phone? Do you remember living in a world without having that magic box in your purse or pocket? Can you imagine living without social media? I know what you’re probably thinking, that sounds like torture. I’ve actually seen videos on YouTube of people documenting… Continue reading Can You Have Facebook In Prison?
I’ve never had kids. But from what I hear, it’s a life changing experience. Obviously, I’m being silly. Of course getting pregnant and having a baby will change your entire world, and it can be one of the most exciting times in your life. Even though I’m not a mom, I am an aunt. I’ve… Continue reading Can You go to Prison if You’re Pregnant?
Prison is a scary place, but it’s definitely not lonely. Unless you are in a maximum-security facility with single cells, chances are, you will be in a cell/room with at least one other person. In the prison where I was incarcerated, we lived in dorm-style housing with six inmates in a room that was designed… Continue reading Can You Request Isolation In Prison?
When you are exploring PrisonInsight, you might notice that an inmate’s ID number is essential when it comes to any kind of communication with a prisoner ─ whether it’s sending mail, accepting phone calls, getting approved for a visit, or sending money. When you have a loved one who is behind bars, you won’t be… Continue reading How To Find an Inmate ID Number
When you watch a TV or movie that features scenes in a prison, most of the time, inmates are wearing orange jumpsuits. There was even a popular Netflix show about a women’s prison that referenced this in the title Orange Is The New Black. In the pilot episode, the main character Piper – played by… Continue reading Can You Wear Your Own Clothes In Prison?
One of the biggest things that has changed in my life after being in prison for four years is my relationship with food. At a height of 5’ 4,” I walked in to prison at around 135 pounds, and walked out around 200 pounds. I had never gained weight like that in my life, and… Continue reading Can You Be Vegan In Prison?
Reading is one of the most popular ways to pass time in prison. Not only does it make the days go by a little bit faster, but reading can also take you away from your reality behind bars for a few hours each day and put you in a whole new world. All prisons―no matter… Continue reading Can You Have a Kindle In Prison?
When you are on your way to prison for the first time, it’s very scaryㅡat least it was for me. I never knew anyone who had gone to jail or spent time in prison, so I had absolutely zero knowledge of anything related to the world of corrections. When you are dealing with the Department… Continue reading How To Fill Out Form BP-A0629
Are you fascinated by true crime stories and/or serial killers? The true crime genre has exploded in recent years thanks to shows like Making A Murderer and the Serial podcast. Serial killers have always fascinated large groups of people because there’s something intriguing about a person who lives their life ignoring laws and societal norms.… Continue reading Can You Visit Serial Killers In Prison?
I’m not a girly girl. Growing up, I was always a bit on the tomboy side because I enjoyed (and still do) traditional “boy” things like sports, science fiction, and comic book-inspired TV shows and movies. On the flip side, I was never much into traditional girl things like dolls, makeup, and fashion. However, I… Continue reading Can You Have Nails In Prison?
Today’s topic is quite the layered one, and there isn’t just one answer. The question is also loaded with assumptions, and leads to even more questions. Do only bad people go to prison? Does our society give proper punishment to crimes? Should we be putting non-violent offenders behind bars in the first place? I am… Continue reading Do Most Criminals Change For The Better After Getting Out of Prison?
One of my favorite movies of all time is the incredible 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Of course, I’m not alone, as the movie is at the top of numerous “greatest movies” and “favorite movies” lists. I bring this up because one of the most memorable scenes in the… Continue reading How Do Prisoners React to Getting Out of Prison After Decades Inside?
The one thing I remember most about my first few days in prison was the shock of having everything taken away from me. When you are transported to the facility and you go through receiving, they place you in a separate area away from the general population, so you can be evaluated and classified. This… Continue reading Can You Have Contacts In Prison?
Losing a friend or family member is never easy. However, when someone you love passes away, being able to attend their funeral or memorial service often helps with the grieving process, and it gives you a chance to say goodbye. When you are in prison and someone you love passes away, it’s even harder. Not… Continue reading Can You Leave Prison For a Funeral?
Have you ever heard a person complain about inmates getting free education while they are locked up? I have come across quite a few people in my life who believe that inmates can get a free college degree while they are in prison, and then they say that “law abiding citizens” have to take out… Continue reading Can You Get a Degree In Prison?
When I was growing up, I considered getting braces to be a right of passage in the transition from childhood to adulthood. I couldn’t wait for the day I got my braces because I had one weird rogue tooth that was coming in, but it stayed high in my gums instead of descending down into… Continue reading Can You Have Braces In Prison?
I’ve always preferred piercings over tattoos when it comes to body art because they aren’t permanent. It’s easy to remove a nose or belly button piercing that you impulsively had done during an alcohol-filled spring break. But, good luck getting rid of that tramp stamp! I’ve made it clear in previous blog posts that your… Continue reading Can You Have Piercings In Prison?
Deciding who you live withㄧwhether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, or roommateㄧis one of those things in life that is essential to your happiness. If you live with someone you don’t like or get along with, it can cause an infinite amount of problems. But, what do you do when you have no say in… Continue reading How Can a Prisoner Change Their Cellmate?
Drugs is just one of the many things being snuck into prisons each and every day. Everytime I get into a discussion with someone about the drug war, I always try to explain how impossible it is to keep drugs off the streets. It is the number one item that continues to creep into my… Continue reading How Are Things Snuck Into Prisons?
If you wear glasses, you know how expensive it can be to get an eye exam and a prescription. Finding the right frames at a reasonable price can be quite the task. Don’t get me started on the eyewear industry in this country! So, if wearing glasses has its own set of challenges in the… Continue reading Can You Have Glasses In Prison?
Before I went to prison, I never left my house without makeup. As an adult, American woman, putting on makeup was just part of my daily routine, like taking a shower and getting dressed. The thought of going somewhere without makeup never entered my mind. I don’t need to explain how important makeup is to… Continue reading Can You Wear Makeup In Prison?
It’s no secret that we live in a world dominated by electronic communication. From texts to emails to social media apps, constant communication via our phones, computers, and tablets is how many of us live our lives these days. But, when you are in prison, you have no internet access, and until recently, electronic devices… Continue reading How do You Email an Inmate?
I love to get my hair done. There’s just something about going to the salon and dropping $200 to get a cut and color, plus some kind of product that I absolutely need so I can duplicate the look at home. But all of that changed when I got to prison. Well, my love of… Continue reading Can You Get Haircuts In Prison?
You never want to hear the word “cancer” when you are talking to a doctor, and you really don’t want to hear the word when you are talking to a doctor as a prison inmate. It’s bad enough to face the disease when you are a free person who can access good hospitals, doctors, and… Continue reading What Happens If You Get Cancer In Prison?
The cannabis laws in the United States have gone through some major changes in the last two decades. Depending on what state you live in, you can either grow and use cannabis both recreationally and medically without consequenceㅡas long as you follow the state guidelinesㅡor, you can find yourself behind bars for possession of a… Continue reading Can You Get Life In Prison for Weed?
Debtors’ prisons don’t exist anymore, right? Congress passed a law against them nearly two centuries ago, and the Supreme Court has ruled multiple times that incarcerating people who are too poor to pay their debt was unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection clause. Technically, debtors’ prisons are against the law. But, in the past… Continue reading Can You go to Prison For Debt?
When I was in prison, I was lucky enough to have family and friends who sent me money regularly. If you are sending money to an inmate, please know that you are loved and appreciated. Having someone put money on your books is a big deal. Inmates are responsible for buying their own hygiene items,… Continue reading Can You Claim Someone In Prison on Your Taxes?
I have to be honest. I’m in love with Dale, my 2-year-old cat. I adopted him just a couple of months after I was released from prison when he was just eight weeks old, and he is the first cat I have ever owned. My parents raised me to believe I was a dog person,… Continue reading Can You Have A Cat In Prison?
When you go to prison, everything is taken away from you. From your personal property to your clothes, it’s all boxed up and stored, and you emerge from intake wearing state clothes and carrying a bag filled with a pillow, blanket, towel, and a few basic toiletries. There is no tolerance for personal style behind… Continue reading Can You Have Dreads In Prison?
When I was a little girl, I loved going to the dentist. I know that makes me a bit odd, but I had a nice, friendly dentist, and visiting him got me out of school for a few hours every six months. I was lucky to have a mom who took dental health seriously, and… Continue reading Can You Wear Dentures In Prison?
How long do you think you could go without kissing your spouse or significant other? Do you think you would last a week or a month? How about ten years? I’ve never been a big fan of public displays of affection, but when it comes to prison visits, I make an exception, and so does… Continue reading Can You Kiss During Prison Visits?
When I was in prison between 2013 and 2017, inmates were still allowed to smoke outside in Missouri prisons. As a smoker, that was something to celebrate. Since then, Missouri has banned tobacco products on prison grounds because of a lawsuit filed by a non-smoking inmate who is serving a life sentence. Now, as I… Continue reading Can You Dip In Prison?
Jewelry is a reflection of personal style, and even if it isn’t expensive, some pieces have sentimental value that can’t be measured. From necklaces to ankle bracelets, you wear jewelry for a reason, and it is an important accessory when you are dressing up. Of course, things change when you are in prison. The Department… Continue reading Can You Wear Jewelry In Prison?
Binge watching a good TV show is one of my favorite things to do. I have been known to burn an entire weekend thanks to a couple of seasons of everything from Schitt’s Creek to Better Call Saul. I know I’m not alone. With so much good TV available these days, how does anyone leave… Continue reading Can You Have A TV In Your Prison Cell?
Inmates and prison life have become a popular form of entertainment in recent years thanks to reality shows, true crime docu-series, and scripted television shows. But, even though you might have seen every episode of MSNBC’s Lock Up, it doesn’t mean you understand what life is really like behind bars, what truly causes many people… Continue reading Can You Volunteer In A Prison?
In recent years, the popularity surrounding scripted shows like Orange Is the New Black and Wentworth, reality shows like 60 Days In, Locked Up Abroad, and Girls Incarcerated, and true crime docs like Making A Murderer, has skyrocketed interest in the justice system and prisons. People are curious to know what life is really like… Continue reading Can You Tour A Prison?
Drinking in prison seems to be a popular topic among people who are interested in prison life and what it’s really like to live behind electric fences and locked doors. Any movie or TV show that is about prison always seems to have at least one character who knows how to provide the rest of… Continue reading Can You Drink In Prison?
As a former inmate, I often get questions about the sleeping situation in prison. The common belief seems to be that prisoners sleep their time away, and get out of bed just to eat and go to the bathroom. The images most people seem to have in their mind are of prisoners locked inside a… Continue reading Can You Sleep In Prison?
I can’t put into words what it feels like to hear a judge sentence you to time in prison. For me, it was an out of body experience, like I was watching a scene from a movie. It doesn’t feel real. I can’t think of anything worse than having your freedom taken away. To know… Continue reading Can You Appeal A Prison Sentence?
Before I was sentenced to 30 years in prison for marijuana possession and cultivation, I was incredibly active in politics. I was so involved in the political process that I was elected as a state delegate during the 2012 Presidential election. This was after my arrest, but before my conviction, so I still had the… Continue reading Can You Vote In Prison?
When you are living life behind bars, one of the biggest challenges is finding different ways to spend your time in order for the days to go by a little bit quicker. I was lucky enough to have money to buy a television, so I was able to burn a lot of hours by watching… Continue reading Can You Knit In Prison?
Shaving. It’s one of those things that you have to do, and for many people it’s a rite of passage. There is an entire industry that makes millions from selling shaving creams, gels, and fancy razors. Hair removal is big business – from electric razors to waxing – people love to spend money to make… Continue reading Can You Shave In Prison?
When I served time in prison, I was lucky enough to have the money to buy a television from the prison store, which is commonly called the commissary or canteen. In addition to spending time at my job or at the rec yard, I could pass the time by turning on my favorite show, catching… Continue reading Can You Read In Prison?
When you are locked up, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out ways to pass the time. While many inmates park themselves in front of a television (screens can be in the day room, the indoor rec area, or you can buy your own small TV for your bunk) or spend time at the… Continue reading Can You Draw In Prison?
Let’s be honest, being a smoker in this day and age isn’t going to win you any popularity contests. But, in my prison experience, just about everyone was a smoker, including myself. When I was incarcerated, I was “lucky” enough to be incarcerated in a prison that allowed smoking, and you could buy tobacco products… Continue reading Can You Smoke In A Prison?