# Ask a former prison guard **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 7, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554 "2003-02-07T20:33:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/121 "2003-03-01T07:03:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*What kind of programs are offered to prisoners to help them either stave off the boredom or learn a trade to support themselves when released? > > Why are you no longer a prison guard? > > Do you think most prisoners learn their lesson and when released ( or paroled) try to change their lives, or is prison really a big revolving door? > I read somewhere a long time ago that most prisons were self sufficent, earning their own money through the way the prisoners could do jobs for the outside world at a rock bottom rate that outside competitor’s could not touch. How true is this? > > What would a prison do if there were a fire inside? Are there fire drills and tornado drills? \*\* My prison has over 100 rehab programs and the like amount of recreational programs. Anger management, stress management, interview skills, computers, GED etc… Then there is mental health. Recreation includes basketball, football, softball, shiffle board, all sort of board games, card games, weights, pool, volleyball etc… Priosn is only a revolving door because society does not want to become involved. The criminal justice system is reactive, not proactive, we cannot solve problem, we just deal with them. Thus, recidivism is extremely high because, quite frankly, the common citizen does not want these men back. We have inmate industries, but we do not compete in our state with other vendors. Inmates, on the average, earn about $20 a month for working about 30 hours a week. We have something called critical incident management. A program adapted from the US forest service. We have action plans for almost every possible scenario. We hold fire drills, tornado drills, everything you can think of. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/122 "2003-03-01T07:04:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blackeyes \* > \*\*What’s your take on _The Shawshank Redemption_? \*\* Good movie, but an outdated depiction of prison life. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/123 "2003-03-01T07:05:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Splanky \* > \*\*I’m not even going to ask what you think of the HBO series _Oz_. > > Ok I am. \*\* A totally over sensationalized depiction of prison life. Do not beleive a single thing. Even if it is true, the hollywood corruption had destroyed any possible reality. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/124 "2003-03-01T07:07:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Splanky \* > \*\*How much murder/suicide is there? My mom had her residency in a prison hospital and got some pleasant stories out of it. Not as much as one would think, though. \*\* We have about 10 succesful suicides and about 1 murder a year for 40,000 inmates. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/125 "2003-03-01T07:11:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tomcat \* > \*\*What are the ropes you have to learn when first going to prison? Like, the schedules of when to eat, where to go for exercise, etc. Are you just thrown in and left to fend, or does someone tell you what to do? Does everyone have a job to do, or is that a privilage to ward off against extreme boredom? What facilities does the average prison have (library, mess hall, exercise yard, license plate making room, ???) > > -Tcat \*\* Big question. But the general ropes are eat, sleep and you know what. We hold orientation for every inmate that enters the system. Utilizing the system of unit management, they meet with at least 3 staff members who guide them through the entire operation. We are also available 7 days a week, with an open door policy, for adjustment questions. Yes, we try to have every inmate with a job. Idleness is deadly. A prison is a small city, anything you have, besides red lober, we have also. Gym, mail room, commissary(store), barber shop, hospital, psychiatirc unit, movie theater, “police stations”, library, food service, 7 factories (we make chairs, trucks, mattreses, tourist packets etc…) ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/126 "2003-03-01T07:21:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ralph124c \* > \*\*I heard (could be mistaken) that all prisons have to have a law library, and that prisioners must have access to it…so one of the smarter cons usually becomes a “jailhouse lawyer”. This guy will make money by filing lawsuits for other cons, and I understand that some of these guys file HUNDREDS of lawsuits, which wind up cost the government a fortune. > Anyway, suppose soem scumbag like Richard reed (the islamic terrist shoebomber) gets hold of a lawbook and starts filing lawsuits…what do you do to “deter” somebody like this? \*\* You cannot deter them. Legal eagles are everywhere in prison. Some of them have legitimate gripes and I personally support access to the courts. regrettably, the typical inmate lawyer, is a serious criminal (rapist/murderer) and he uses the law like he used his weapon or sexual organ. He uses as an expression of power and dominance. Robbed of any ability to hurt others, many of these inmates resort to the legal system to try and hurt and control others. They try to gode staff members into making mistakes and getting angry so they can file a lawsuit. A prison worker mus be very careful about this. Never let an inmate “take you off your game” as I always tell my staff. Inmates will sit there and tell you, “I will take away your money and your family will be paying the bills for years. I own you etc…” After you lock them up for disrespect, you just have to walk away. They will make it personal, you never can let them win. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/127 "2003-03-01T07:23:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by El Mariachi Loco \* > \*\ ***TGWATY** , thanks for this thread. > > How easy is it for someone to just mind his own business? Say, someone who doesn’t maintain any gang affiliation or identify with any particular ethnic or social group? Is it possible to be a “free agent” and not be subjected to violence or harassment? \*\* Yes, if you earn enough respect and keep a low profile, you can do time short time with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/128 "2003-03-01T07:29:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tomcat \* > \*\*I asked about getting to know the ropes…could you give me an idea of what the ropes were? Like a timeline of the average day? > > 8 am wake up > 9 eat > 10 work > 11…etc. > > Also, what were the religious services like? Did you have seperate services, or just one big one with a guy up front saying “Dear {insert name of deity here}, please forgive…” > > Thanks again- > -Tcat \*\* 6 a.m. morning count. Lights come on ranges, no cell enforcement. After count, breakfast. Inmates are called to chow in order based upon how clean they kept their dorm. 8 a.m. open yard. Inmates go to work, school, programs. Inmates with nothign to do can watch TV, play cards, lift weights, play sports etc… 11 a.m. Count. All inmates in. Inmates are once again released for lunch in order. 12:30 back to work, school, etc… Access to commissary to go shopping, or go to the barber shop, things like that. 3:00 Mail call 4:00 Count. Released for dinner in order. 5:00 p.m. Mostly free time. Some programs, lots of recreation. On weekends they can watch one of three movies. 8:45 Standing count. All inmates must be standing. 11:00 TV’s off, unless in rooms, right after news. Except on weekends. 12:00 count 2:00 count 4:00 count Welcome to your next day We offer a wide variety of religious services Christian (catholic, lutheran, non-denom), Muslim, Jewish, Native American, Wiccan etc… ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/129 "2003-03-01T07:34:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by williambaskerville \* > \*\*Interesting thread, thanks. I have a few questions. > > 1. "He later got sent to the “hole” for having sex with a female guard. " What 's that about ? What could the attraction possibly be ? Probably unknowable, I guess, but does it happen often ? I mean especially sexual relations beteen female guards/male prisoners, I can see the dynamics where the sexes are reversed. > > 2. Have you read “Green River Rising”, and what did you think if so ? > > 3. You mentioned transvestites earlier, which feature a lot in “Green River Rising”. Are they common in prison ? Is their crossdressing tolerated by guards ? \*\* Trying to figure out the attraction to prisoners is a complicated issue. Remmeber, it is not just women on men, or men on women, but it is also men on men/ women on women. It is my personal theory that the majority of illit relationships are sowaned from individuals who are loney, have low self-esteem and seek control of relationships. It is my opinion that the contro, of a relationship is one of the biggest factors. If you think about it, a person with a low self-esteem and inability to establish meaningful outside relationships will be more vulnerable. But, if they were an abused individual, or even if they were perceiving they were abused, having a relationship with a man behind bars is very alluring. You control the interaction. he can’t call you, or show up at your house. You feel, whether you are or not, that you are in control. This man makes you his life. He centers everything around you and you have complete control. You decide when and where you will interact. It is exciting. I think the “bad boy” mentality plays well to. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/130 "2003-03-01T07:37:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*A few questions: > > You mentioned you left because of the pay. Do you mind sharing what that was? What where the hours and how long did you work there (I don’t think that was asked yet). > > Roughly, what was the “racial” make up of the prison? 30% Black, 30% white, 30% Hispanic, 10% other? Or was there a massive amount of one over the other? > > Did the prisoners just come from your state? > > Was AIDS and Hep C (or other sex/drug diseases) spreading in the population that you know of? I am aware you are not a physician, but I thought you may know. \*\* Corrections Officers in my state make about 40k a year, plus a benefits package of about an etra 10k. This is after 5 years. As an administrator, I make around 75k a year pluc bennies. Racial is about 55% white, 45% black. Small amount of hispanic and other. Usually they just come from our state unless there is an interstate compact agreement. These usually only happen for high profile cases or protective custody. Alot of witness protection as well. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/131 "2003-03-01T07:41:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*$10 per hour? Wow. That really does suprise me. I don’t blame you for leaving considering the people you were around. > > Were female guards treated differently by the population (other then the fact the odd one would get nailed by an inmate). Was there a lot of “cat calling?” Did they get harrassed a lot or did the prisoners get “disciplined” if that happened? > > You mentioned that there was sex at times between the female guards and inmates. Were there any gay guards fired for the same thing? > > Were drugs a big problem? How often was there lockdowns and rooms overturned looking for illegal/not allowed substances? > > Were there a lot of snitches/stool pigeons in the population? > > Sorry if those are too many questions. I think this is a great thread! \*\* yes, there are gay involvements. About 10% of my cases were that. Drugs are a major problem, but I am proud to say that my prison keeps it at about 1-2% We do lockdowns and “clear outs” for contraband. Plus we bring in K-9’s. There are a ton of informants. There is no such thing as the no snitch code anymore. I would say that we have at least 300 informants in a 2500 man prison. We have a hotline they can call from unit phones. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/132 "2003-03-01T07:44:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wartime Consigliori \* > \*\*I’ve read that many penal institutions are banning smoking. Is this really a good idea? \*\* That is a tough issue. Altough banning smoking may have a significant effect on climate, we must weigh that with obviuos fiscal benefits. The medical hazards associated with smoking cost taxpayers millions of dollars a year for prisoners. It is a fact that some prisoners get better medical care than a poor citizen and that makes smoking cessation programs much more appealing. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554/133 "2003-03-01T07:50:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mac Rame \* > \*\*Excellent thread. Thank you for illumination on an item that I (thankfully and luckily) know nothing about. > > Conventional Wisdom has it that a police office busted and placed in the prison wouldn’t last more than a few moments after the first inmate learns of his prior occupation. Is this accurate? If so, what precautions are made to keep this person (realatively) safe? Had any experience with this? > > Also, a common argument against the war on drugs is it makes (fill in percent here) of the US population felons and has directly resulted in an overcrowded prison system. Are the majority of felons that you administered there due to drugs? What is your perspective of the war on drugs as a result of your experience? > > Again, thanks. \*\* Police are typically placed in protective custody. Areas designed for safety and isolation if they so desire. Many of our inmates are there because of the drug laws in america. I studied them quite intensely while receiving my masters. In fact, my thesis was on them. There is no doubt that the war on drugs has dramatically increased prison population. Probably 30% of our offenders are drug related. Alfred Lindesmith predicted in the 60’s that if drug laws did not change, prison population would be increased so dramamtically it would overflow. He was right. Most of our prison expansion is because of the war on drugs. You draw your own conclusions from that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-former-prison-guard/153554.md?page=6)