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

[edfurlong]

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l situation. I'm just thinking outloud about drug laws in general.

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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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I'm pretty sure this is a thread about prison life. Drug law [censored] has been beat to death. If you have a hard on about it, take it to politics.

[MyTurn2Raise]

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What was the last thing you did before going in?

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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?


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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?

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No

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Do you believe in legalizing all drugs?

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yes


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Which university did you go to?

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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

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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?

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brief daydreams, yes. Real consideration...hell no. Almost impossible to get away with and the punishment is harsh.

[moayer]

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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.

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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?

[tyler_cracker]

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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?

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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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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!

[Dane S]

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?

[boomshakalaka]

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.

[Stagger_Lee]

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.

[EricW]

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?

[boscoboy]

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"?

[SlapPappy]

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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.

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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.

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that's a cool factoid

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Im moving to Texas for my next crime.