How to Survive in Federal Prison

Heading to a federal prison for the first time is like a nightmare coming true. You've heard or watched the stories of what goes on behind bars and soon you'll be one of those looking from the inside out. Getting locked up is a scary and unwelcoming experience, but there are ways to survive in a federal prison.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Mind your own business. The less attention you bring to yourself the less chance there is of someone trying to take advantage of you. Don't discuss your case with other inmates or ask questions about their crimes.
2. Stay away from drugs, gambling and gangs. Many people become addicts after serving time in federal prison. Gambling can get you in debt and when you owe a debt in prison you can end up beaten or raped. Gangs might seem like a good idea for protection, but you also become a target for gang retaliation, which can get you killed.
3. Trust nobody. This doesn't mean there aren't any trustworthy people in prison, but for the most part, people are in prison for breaking the law. Assume everyone is a liar, a cheat and there to take something from you. After you've been there awhile you can make a better judgment of which inmates you can trust.
4. Look straight ahead when walking past inmates' cells. In federal prison, inmates consider it rude to look into their cells. This could be cause for a physical confrontation on your very first day.
5. Keep in contact with friends and family. Even if they don't write or come to visit as much as you would like, they are your link to the outside world and can help to keep you encouraged and your spirits lifted. Ask them to help you get hooked up with a mentor program to help you with a job and guidance for your release.
6. Be respectful of prison guards and staff, but don't become chummy with them. If you get on a guard's bad side, they can make life even more difficult for you behind bars. However, being seen as a friend or talking in private to the guards may appear as though you're a snitch and this is one of the worst things to be in prison.
7. Believe that you still have a good life ahead of you once you get released. Use this time to improve yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. Take advantage of any educational courses, church services and the weight room. Lost hope makes you become idle and this is an open invitation for trouble, which will lead to a dead end street when you get out and most likely re-incarceration.