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Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security prison Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security prison

12-11-2006 , 06:11 AM
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Myturn,

Sounds like you got shafted by the system hardcore. You are the perfect example of why the drug laws in this country are ******ed.
Exactly.
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12-11-2006 , 06:12 AM
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You are the perfect example of why the drug laws in this country are ******ed.
I can't decide how I feel about MT2R's punishment. It's obviously [censored] that he went to a max prison, that goes without saying. But a year... I don't know. Maybe 6-8 months would be better.

Would he have changed his lifestyle without prison time and just a couple years of probation? Probably. He says he would have. But at the same time, that feels like a "get out of jail free card" in my opinion. I mean... if you know you can do whatever drugs you want and at worse you will get probation... that's not really a deterrant.
I think you're really understimating how big an impact even the slightest punishment can have. I got pinched for posession in college. I spent a couple of days in the local lockup. All charges were eventually dropped so basically nothing happened to me besides losing a weekend and having my girlfriend laugh at me when I didn't come in that night and the first phone call she gets has a recording: "This is a call from an inmate..."

In spite of no real punishment, it drove me away from drugs in all except the most secure/private situations. I pretty quickly decided it wasn't even worth the hassle and stopped using all together.

I think there's two types of people - those that can change and those that can't. It doesn't really matter how long you lock up either the type. Those that can change will usually change after almost any punishment. Those that can't change will be right back to their old habits after whatever punishment you give them.

Anyhow, that's my rant. Thanks for sharing this mt2r. Interesting stuff!
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12-11-2006 , 06:18 AM
What was the last thing you did before going in?

What was the first thing you did after getting out?

Ever regret your decision to take the 3 years instead of risking it?

Do you believe in legalizing all drugs?

Which university did you go to?

Does this ever leave your record? (maybe a stupid question)

Taken any illegal drugs since? (including weed)

Ever consider escaping?
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12-11-2006 , 06:18 AM
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myturn,

If you got to do it again, what exactly would you do about the aptitude tests? Do you think taking the full time would have helped even though you would obviously score highly? What percentage of the questions do you think you'd have to tank to achieve a more desirable prison assignment?
I think 85% is a good sweet spot...reasonable and intelligent for psych evaluations and future parole board meetings, but not high enough to stick out for special treatment

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How much did stuff cost in the commisary? If possible, give answers in units of hours worked .
same as a regular store. My nutty buddies box was $1.19, or 8 hours of work.

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Is it true what Worm tells Mike McD about all the separate economies? Were there opportunities for you to win money/stuff/favors by playing cards or by hustling chess?
gambling is forbodden up front. It does go on among inmates, especially on chess and card games at the minimum security prison. Maximum security had some, but very little time to intermingle with others. I am unaware of any guard to prisoner economy.

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When you were doing the ankle bracelet time, were you allowed to have a job (telecommuting or whatever)? Did you play poker during this time? If so, would this have been explicitly disallowed or implicitly disallowed or neither?

This was before I found poker, but I'm sure it would've been frowned upon. Anyway, how is the parole agent going to find out? I'm at home, and it's not like s/he is constantly over my shoulder. They checked in about once a month. No big deal. I was allowed to work. A few very nice managers at the local Borders hired me on condition I didn't tell anyone else at work. The managers all knew in case my parole agent came looking for me. Those people that hired me are number one in my book always and I'll put a special word in for them with the big man upstairs if he exists.


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Were there any open/obvious/known homosexuals? Were all of them punks? Would everyone know that a prisoner was a punk? Were the punks open about their status?
open homosexuals do not last long. Guys go after them for status. These guys get removed lightning quick from the rest of the population for everyone's safety. It's well known who is leaning that way and they are gone in a sec. the homosexuals differ greatly from the rapists.

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Were condoms available? Did anyone ever talk about HIV or other STDs?
sex is against the prison rules....no condoms

STDs were talked about....again, don't have sex was the extent of the conversation.
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12-11-2006 , 06:22 AM
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You are the perfect example of why the drug laws in this country are ******ed.
I can't decide how I feel about MT2R's punishment. It's obviously [censored] that he went to a max prison, that goes without saying. But a year... I don't know. Maybe 6-8 months would be better.

Would he have changed his lifestyle without prison time and just a couple years of probation? Probably. He says he would have. But at the same time, that feels like a "get out of jail free card" in my opinion. I mean... if you know you can do whatever drugs you want and at worse you will get probation... that's not really a deterrant.

BTW, this post is independent of MT2R's individual situation. I'm just thinking outloud about drug laws in general.
Yeah but any kind of conviction on your record, no matter how long you serve, and you're screwed job-wise.

And why should the government have the right to punish him for using drugs to begin with?
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12-11-2006 , 06:34 AM
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What was the last thing you did before going in?
spent time with my girlfriend, parents, and brothers. Told my girlfriend that we shouldn't be together anymore, it would be too tough, and that the blame is mine and not hers. Had a dinner with my family were I apologized for everything and asked for them to write me often.

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What was the first thing you did after getting out?

Hugged my mom more than I've ever hugged a person before or since. Called my girlfriend and asked her to come see me ASAP and forget all the [censored] I put her through. Called up everyone who sent me a letter.


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Ever regret your decision to take the 3 years instead of risking it?
No

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Do you believe in legalizing all drugs?
yes


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Which university did you go to?
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Does this ever leave your record? (maybe a stupid question)
Possibly. I have to get a pardon and expungement from the governor of Illinois. A year post parole, I was allowed to present both a written 'case' for why I should be pardoned and have my record expunged. I then get a hearing with the Illinois prisoner review board and I have a face-to-face meeting with about 7 members in a long 'Q' and 'A' session. I'm a good candidate given it's my only conviction ever (other than traffic tickets, which don't count), I achieved numerous things before being arrested, I've made a productive life post prison time (getting those degrees is impressive, but gambling for a living isn't), I'm free of drugs, and my conviction does hamper my ability to live a productive life (very few hire felons). My first meeting with the board appeared to go well. It helps that I went to high school with some sons of board members and other high IDOC officials. However, it took over 3 years for an official denial to come back. There were no stated reasons for the denial. I can only go by what the review board said during 'q' and 'a.' There were doubts as to whether I was dealing, it was my first appeal, I am still too pro-drug for most board members, and they didn't want to give the impression of prison being that easy to erase. I'm now in the 12 month waiting period before I can appeal again. It will probably be something that I do every 4 to 5 years the rest of my life.

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Ever consider escaping?
brief daydreams, yes. Real consideration...hell no. Almost impossible to get away with and the punishment is harsh.
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12-11-2006 , 06:37 AM
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this link (http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/search/inms.asp) is interesting. I'm just searching random last names and browsing photos and fascinated by it.
don't forget to check your birthday. there are 10 listing for mine. one dude with my bd...R17208 - WILLIS, EDDIE

MARKS, SCARS, & TATTOOS
MISSING FINGER(S), RIGHT HAND - ALL FINGERS/THUMB MISSING
MISSING FINGER(S), LEFT HAND - ALL FINGERS/THUMB MISSING
MISSING FOOT, RIGHT - BIG TOE/SECOND TOE MISSING

wtf?
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12-11-2006 , 06:58 AM
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Were there any open/obvious/known homosexuals? Were all of them punks? Would everyone know that a prisoner was a punk? Were the punks open about their status?
open homosexuals do not last long. Guys go after them for status. These guys get removed lightning quick from the rest of the population for everyone's safety. It's well known who is leaning that way and they are gone in a sec. the homosexuals differ greatly from the rapists.

Please explain the part in italics.

Do you think a gay man would be better off being upfront with prison staff about his orientation or would it be better to try and hide it assiduously?

Where did you get the materials to study chess openings? Were there chess books in the library or did you get these from friends/family?

Did people play mostly blitz or slow or what?

What opening do you favor as white? As black? Assume a match in prison if this changes your answer!
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12-11-2006 , 07:09 AM
Almost afraid to ask, but what would happen to a true skinny nerdy white dude who ended up in your position? Would he have any options besides becoming a human punching bag or worse?
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12-11-2006 , 07:19 AM
My sister was locked up at vienna. She was in the bootcamp though, its not the same grounds but is the same admin. The bootcamp was minminmin-sec. There were no fences on the outside, they would run drills in the parking lots and stuff. The location was ironic though for a prison without fences; it was directly across from a chocolate factory, and you could often smell the chocolate on the prison grounds. Even worse, because it was bootcamp they were allowed I think one candy bar a week.

Prison is a really [censored] up and harsh punishment. I pretty much agree with you, murderers, rapist, ect should do time, but for non violent crimes, I think theren eeds to be a new solution.

I used to do a lot of dumb stuff, nothing too serious but definatley stuff that could land me in jail for a short stint. Im glad I got my [censored] together before it was too late, because I know prison is not hte place for me. Im skinny as hell, and mixed (my moms white and dads black). My brother is light skinned but has coarser hair (could and has grown dreads), I on the other hand have pretty straight hair, and cant pass for black. I couldnt pass for white either, and Im not sure I would want to.

Anyways Im tired and rambling, Im sure I left out a lotta stuff that was more relevent then the stuff I wrote but w/e, nice thread ty for the good read.
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12-11-2006 , 07:45 AM
Could you see any benefit in claiming that your were HIV positive? I am assuming that you would be treated as a leper and other inmates may just leave you alone in all respects.
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12-11-2006 , 08:36 AM
holy [censored], amazing thread.

MT2CR, I honestly feel very bad for you. I imagine it would be much worse for guys in your similar situation, who aren't good at poker 'cause they are [censored] for job searching.

Before you found poker, when you realized that you could never get a decent job, did you ever thing of just giving up on life and just end it all?
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12-11-2006 , 09:15 AM
I only met one violent criminal there, and his crime was manslaughter for killing the guy that raped his daughter in a fit of rage

why did you label this guy a "violent criminal"?
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12-11-2006 , 09:37 AM
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Do you agree with Robert Downey Jr.'s assessment that prisons serve nasty food to make prisoners as docile/harmless as possible? Fatten them up, if you will.
In 1995 Texas prisons began serving soy burgers instead of real beef. Probably made the switch because it's cheaper and studies have shown that consumption of soy raises estrogen levels which likely make one more docile.

that's a cool factoid
Im moving to Texas for my next crime.
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12-11-2006 , 09:42 AM
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I only met one violent criminal there, and his crime was manslaughter for killing the guy that raped his daughter in a fit of rage

why did you label this guy a "violent criminal"?
My guess is because he committed a crime which was violent.
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12-11-2006 , 09:44 AM
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I only met one violent criminal there, and his crime was manslaughter for killing the guy that raped his daughter in a fit of rage

why did you label this guy a "violent criminal"?
Oh, I dunno, the man killed someone. Maybe that was it?
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12-11-2006 , 09:48 AM
I know you said that people don't discuss their crimes much but in the minimum security prison did you meet anyone who was in for tax fraud?
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12-11-2006 , 09:54 AM
mt2r, fascinating thread. ty for sharing.

el d asked a couple of q's i was wondering about. further to them though, as you weren't affiliated with any gang how were you treated by the rest of the prison population?

did they just leave you be, or would they f with you or make things harder for you, simply because they could with no fear of recourse?

did you walk around with head down (to avoid eye contact and possibly insulting someone)? or did you keep your chin up so as not to look like a weak target?
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12-11-2006 , 10:15 AM
Great thread, MT2R. Thanks for sharing.

What was the size of your iso cell at Joliet? Did it have a window? What was your workout routine there?
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12-11-2006 , 10:18 AM
Wow. Very fascinating read. Seems like you were able to take a very bad situation, learn from it, and moved on to more productive life. I congratulate you for it.

Having met you in real life, I never would have guessed this was in your past, though I see now that your love for late night Barbary Coast Pai Gow action should have tipped me off

I hope to see you again next time SSNL hits up Vegas.
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12-11-2006 , 10:19 AM
-Did you mention what you do now (poker, gambling) to the 'review board' ?

-Are you still interested in accounting (possibly plan to get back into it at some point) ?

-What limits/games do you currently play?
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12-11-2006 , 11:28 AM
great report, thanks for sharing.

how soon after you were released did you return to school?

did you keep in touch with any college friends while you were in prison?

did you tell new people you met, what happened to you?

what was it like returning to college after ths ordeal?

i would imagine it would suck having to listen to a bunch of whiney college kids bitch about stupid [censored], like oh i can't go to spring break, or i have so much work to do, kinda crap. how did you deal with these idiots? (and by idiots i mean someone like me when i was in college)
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12-11-2006 , 11:46 AM

nice post.
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12-11-2006 , 12:24 PM
Where would you be if you had not been caught with the drugs right now? Did you have your "habit" under control?

Could you take "California" in a fight if you were not worried about what happens to you afterwards?

Could you get a cellie transfer if your's was a huge d1ck. And if so does that get frowned upon by the prisoners/guards.
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12-11-2006 , 12:34 PM
How big of a guy was "California"?

What was the craziest thing you saw while in there?

How easy was it to score drugs in the slammer? Alcohol?


This is easily the most interesting thread I have ever read. I have told countless people at work about it and even printed it up and have people spreading it around work. They keep asking me for updates.

This is something I consider my worst nightmare. I have a great life and lots of friends and a close-knit family and I could not imagine leaving it all behind to go to prison.

Sincerely...Thank You for posting!
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