Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

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Good post. I used to be a correctional officer and I disagree with this statement however:
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You are not a person to a guard and that should never be forgotten.

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Your observation on why they tend to be [censored] was pretty accurate though. Spending your days surrounded by concrete, bars and the dregs of society(not saying all convicts are lowlifes) is a horrible way to make a living. It's a thankless job and there's basically nothing positive about it.

Is smoking in Indiana prisons illegal? Did you know of prison staff muling in any contraband like drugs and alcohol?

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Illinois prisons
when I was there, smoking was legal if you over 18. Yes, that same Chris Churchill guy was incarcerated for life as a minor in adult facilities and couldn't smoke.
Many guys rolled their own, so it could take up more of their day.

I know of no prison staff muling in contrabands. MOst of the drug use in the prisons were prescribed drugs for the psychopaths (such as Thorazine) getting among the rest of the prisoners.

I wouldn't know too much about it, though, as I avoided the trouble-making types.

From what I know, the IDOC was really cleaned up after the mid-90s videos of Richard Speck doing plates full of coke.


FWIW, I completely understand why the guards act the way they do. Better that way than to be at-risk.

I also agree about the dregs of society statement.

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

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Mt2tr,

How often would you and other inmates discuss the crimes you did to get into prison? Did you know of anyone you genuinely though of as innocent?

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very rarely would it be discussed in specific terms, just general

I was in for 'drugs.' That's about all anyone ever shared. Opening up with each other is a mistake. I never even shared where I lived or family members, etc. Although, everyone realized I had a girlfriend because other inmates receiving visits witnessed mine with her and they'd give me compliments about her looks.



I know of no one who I genuinely thought was innocent.

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

MT2R,

My bad for doubting you! Good thread, great read. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

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.

Also, if you flashed your street cred in Sports you may win more arguments out of sheer fear and respect. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

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Also, if you flashed your street cred in Sports you may win more arguments out of sheer fear and respect. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

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I already liked him from when I rode an NHL pick of his that I would never in a million years have made myself, I don't even follow hockey, needless to say it won.

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

[ QUOTE ]
MT2R,

My bad for doubting you! Good thread, great read. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

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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that would make sense, but might be too much of a conspiracy. Basically, they just gave us what any cafeteria does where the customers have no choice. As opposed to docile though, they did hand out koolaid that was highly anticipated/craved. Man, the stereotypes of african-americans and koolaid and milk have a large portion of truth.

The cafeteria in Joliet was this room
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0454987/02467.jpg
It's actually two rooms side by side to shuffle inmates in and out quicker. At the top corner is a gun parapet. The first shot is a warning in a fight. The second hits someone or the guard is fired. There are bullets in the walls. It's intimidating

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Also, if you flashed your street cred in Sports you may win more arguments out of sheer fear and respect. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

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LOLLERSKATES

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

Mt2r,

What is your initial reaction when you hear liberal types talking about how prisons are too brutal for the prisoners? Also when conservative types talk about how prisons are not strict enough on their inmates? Just some of your initial reactions when you run into these types of attitudes if this makes sense at all.

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

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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.

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mt2r,

What is your initial reaction when you hear liberal types talking about how prisons are too brutal for the prisoners? Also when conservative types talk about how prisons are not strict enough on their inmates? Just some of your initial reactions when you run into these types of attitudes if this makes sense at all.

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both sides are right....... and wrong

there are too many drug and drunk driving guys in prisons

however, there are some really bad people who deserve a barbaric lifestyle and lots of caging.

States should have many levels of prisons (beyond max-mid-min). Illinois does a decent job with things like supermax, but the problem is prisons are now an industry. There is no incentive to kick out guys who don't belong other than budgetary shortfalls.

I am pro-death penalty now and I wasn't before. Some guys are just more harm than they are worth.


As far as too brutal, these aren't chain gangs or anything. I was in quite an old school prison and it seemed better than one could imagine given the crimes most people had committed.

There just needs to be more work on alternatives for people expected to rejoin society again. The thieves, drug addicts, drug sellers, etc need a plan better than warehousing. The murders, rapists, etc should just be caged.

just my rambling two cents

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

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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

Re: Trip report/ask me about time in maximum (and minimum) security pr
 

Do you carry around a lot of biterness for the ordeal? Do you view it as a mistake you made or just bad luck and a crappy system?