get with the arians, or goto protective custody.

don't ever state that you object with certain other affiliated peoples' violent and anti-social tendencies. You'll see and hear alot of stuff that will make you cringe, but it is unwise to ever judge others in the prison system. Keep your mouth shut and eyes open.

I am familiar. The male bootcampers would occassionally come through the regular prison gates for a day or two and do menial tasks. I kind of wish I was given the bootcamp option, but it's for people who have more time to do and the state's attorney wanted me to do 'real' time.

nah....i don't think it will dissuade the lifers from going after the meat that much. Your best bet is to make yourself as unattractive and uneffiminate as possible. Grow an unkept beard. Keep some body order on you. don't wash fully up, etc. The problem is the guards and warden want a [censored] and span place, so there is a line to balance.

Wow, six people match my exact birthdate in that prison. WTF?

Ray

So basically become Andrew Karpinksi.

for awhile on house arrest, after my girlfriend finally wisely dropped me, I wasn't the happiest person and some bad thoughts did enter my head. I don't like to think about that too much.

nah....i believe that is more a federal crime and a convict would end up in the federal rather than state prison system.

I did meet a few guys who laundered money, etc. One guy admitted to being madly in love with a hot Brazilian made at the hotel chain where he was controller. He ended up stealing many thousands to court her and, later, support her. He said it was worth it despite the fact she never once contacted him once he went to prison ...it's a funny world.

While in county, there was a guy awaiting sentencing at the federal level for corporate espionage. He was a high ranking guy and sold secrets to the competitors.

LOL

I remember AK doing a thread like this about his experience in prison. I wonder if his "look" was as a result of getting raped in prison and not wanting it to happen a second time?

no affiliation here

people would look for opportunities to mess with me, and I tried to not give them any

head up, but no eye contact. More like a constant awareness of my surrounding.

It was mentally draining to live in fear that much.

6' X 8' when in the general pop decks. Isolation was 8' X 10'. If you look at the pictures in the OP, the cell doors go onto a deck. Beyond that deck was a brick wall with some thick, clouded windows. I could see a bit. Joliet didn't have two decks of cells facing eachother like the prison in Shawshank. It had decks that faced out from the building rather than in.
Isolation had a 2' X 2' window about 15 feet off the ground that would let natural light in on occassion.

The 16 year old who killed his family - Why would no one sit with him? Was it because they were afriad he was Nutso and would shank them if he got the chance? Was he a punk or something like that? Did California have contact with him? What was that like?

What was showering like? Did you have to shower with the other inmates? Where do the guards stand to watch for fights/beatings?

Did you give any thought to trying to leave the country? If you had $50K in your bank account from poker, would you consider leaving the country?

You said that if someone gets their food stolen and then fights the person who is affiliated, they will become a target? To what extent will this treatment continue? I was under the impression that everyone in prison is afriad of someone shanking them, so they do not mess with people willing to fight back?

Did any gang members try to recruit you?

All anyone can do is try to make the best of it. I expect anyone in my situation would've tried the same, but thanks.

Yep, I don't seem like a hardened thug IRL, Pai Gow exploits withstanding.

Looking forward to the next SSNL gettogether.

If you were to join a gang, how does the process work? How do they treat you? What are your responsibilities as a new guy?

I'm not sure you'll have any special knowledge, but...

I drive by the Marion Fed. pen somewhat regularly. From what little I've read, that's where we (the US) puts its baddest-of-the-bad Federal offenders: terrorist guys, multi-state mass-murderers, etc. Its the same state but a completely different system. Do you know anything about it? Any thoughts, rumors, impressions?

I haven't been in front of them for about 4 years, so no. At the time, I was a masters student on my way into PhD programs. It looked impressive on paper. I was hoping that the conviction would disappear while in the PhD program, because job prospects afterwards are minimal even with a PhD. Along the way, I became involved with poker and just went with that as my PhD seemed to be a waste of lots of time and effort.

possibly....I've thought about it after the poker boom dries up some more. I'm still winning, so other things are still in the background.

When playing poker, I mainly focus on 200NL these days. But, I've played numerous games for numerous limits. I ended up in no-limit holdem, because it is where the fish live. I actually enjoy limit holdem more, but my skills only got me to marginally beating 3/6 short-handed and 5/10 full online. I do play anything from 10/20 to 20/40 live limit and consistently pwn that game.

What did California look like? Tats? Age? Was he huge?

about 7 months to a university. I let a semester pass to make sure I was ready. While on house arrest, I did glorified high school, ie junior college. It helped me pick up some gen ed credits and get used to a more normal environment. The biggest issue was I sure wanted to sex some of those JC girls, but it is tough to be a 'mack' with an ankle bracelet and very little time allowed outside the house. I made a few though.

I tried to, but it was really on them. I'd send a letter or two, but didn't want to bombard them unless they wrote back to me. It's a mental toll to read some of the stuff going on if you know it's a friend who is experiencing it. It would be best to let them decide how much involvement they wanted.


some people know already through grapevine, etc. In general, I avoid telling new people. Like it or not, there are unflattering stereotypes. I know their impression of me will be tainted. The hardest part is deciding when to tell the female in a relationship with me about it all. On paper, I must be quite the catch.... professional gambler, convicted felon....sure, come meet my mom and dad.


It was so awesome to return to college. For one, it meant I could put that stage behind me and feel 'normal' again. I could also feel that I was moving forward and was strong enough to survive and thrive from the whole ordeal. It was such a boost to my spirits. Also, I didn't mind the college whining too much (although those kids on the Real World MTV pissed me off), because college students are generally more hopeful/optimistic about their futures than the regular population. Having been in one of the most pessimistic places in the country, the youthful, somewhat naive optimism was very refreshing and a lift to my spirits.

Oh yeah, the ability to bang young, attractive, and smart chicks was fabulous. I had a regained sense of confidence and was not afraid to approach women. Obviously, that is pretty attractive on the college bar scene. I never had such good luck with the women as then. It was fantastic.

I would likely be teaching high school students in the Chicagoland area. My habit was under control and did not affect the progress I was making at all. I was a junior in history/secondary ed when finally convicted. History is a tough gig to get a job, so I was taking lots of math/stat classes to be certified to teach that as well. I would probably be married and a respected member of my community.



Doubtful. His punches weren't that strong. He was 5'8" and about 230. He was out of shape. I was 5'7" and 190 in very good shape. However, he was a psychopath capable of taking it to the next level. He killed an assitant warden with his bare hands in the early 80s in the New Mexico prison system. I'm not even sure if I was capable of taking a fight to that level. So, I'd have to say despite my strength advantage, I probably wouldn't have liked the result.


Yes, transfers were possible, but they were a huge pain in the ass.


inmate search---I did time with Zachariah Avant in Joliet

he wasn't that big. His power came from other means.



craziest thing I saw...you would think I would have a good answer for this, but I don't.
I remember they had some international terriorist/IRA guy at Joliet for awhile. He had about 7 guards around him anytime he moved....that was interesting.
I also remember the lengths people would go through to use drugs or cook fold. Prisoners would use cardboard milk jugs and take apart their walkman. They would shape a wire and put it into the outlet and get enough current to boil water to cook rament. It was pretty insane.


some drugs were around. They were more trouble than their worth to get.

I would say at least half of the violent criminals had a mental or personality disorder. Hell, most were doped up on Thorazine and such all day to make them docile and protect the guards. Nearly all come from poor family backgrounds.

lol...who knows

people tend to become less confrontational in that environment. I certainly did. Conflict avoidance is key.

no pics of the ex-gf, I put her through enough at a young age already

cannot put pics of California in....I believe it's against IDOC rules to use their inmate pictures for that reason.

state by state basis....definitely schedule I in Illinois. It's in the worst grouping.

ty Pete

ummm... a few minor things regarding bereaucratic stuff,
I couldn't apply to certain grad schools who rigorously checked backgrounds.
I cannot go to Canada. Sucks, blew my whistler trip.
Certain other countries won't let me travel to them; it's a country-by-country decision.

It's really the life issues. I've had relationships that were going well end. I had friends who never looked at me the same way once I got out. Stuff like that sucks more