Comments on: Up the river without a guide

Question: Up the river without a guide

the christopher hundreds — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:45:57 -0800

What services exist to counsel a person headed to prison? Jail?

What is out there to let a soon-to-be prisoner know what happens once the gate closes behind him/her? How to best interact with the officials to be encountered, the fellow inmates, the environment, him/herself?

A relative has been sent away with nothing in this respect. I wondered if this was normal....

By: desjardins

desjardins — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:52:07 -0800

Where are you in the world? Makes a big difference.

By: jennstra

jennstra — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:53:22 -0800

Well, you used the word yourself.
RESPECT for the other inmates, staff, guards and his/herself.
Keep a positive attitude, keep busy, read, take classes.
Be choosey about who you befriend and who you trust.
You might call a probation office to ask questions about the actual facility life.
I would imagine each place has its own climate and attitude.

By: holterbarbour

holterbarbour — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:17:59 -0800

You Are Going to Prison
Federal Prison, A Comprehensive Survival Guide
How to Survive in Prison

By: the christopher hundreds

the christopher hundreds — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:44:27 -0800

My relative is in Illinois and is already behind bars, but I'm curious generally.

By: shiny blue object

shiny blue object — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:49:53 -0800

It's not an official resource by any means, but the forums at Prison Talk are quite active and, from what I can tell, the people there are very supportive of each other.

By: pullayup

pullayup — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:51:30 -0800

The numbers aren't exactly the same as Dimpy's, but you could refer to this report from the Pew Center.

By: zachlipton

zachlipton — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:54:15 -0800

Rich people hire private prision consultants to advise them before they go in. They can also help by asking judges to sentence/recommend particular prisons or levels of custody that are less restrictive.

By: webhund

webhund — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:49:28 -0800

Note that in the federal court system (and almost all state court systems) a judge cannot directly order the specific prison/penal institution to which the defendant will be sent. While recommendations can be made, once sentenced by the judge (judicial branch), the actual incarceration is carried out by the Bureau of Prisons, which is an executive branch agency. Thus, it's important for the defendant to begin planning prior to sentencing how to put information before the court during the pre-sentencing investigation report development phase that can help influence where he/she ultimately end up.