Prison is a bit of a surreal experience for those who have ended up there. They undergo a lot of adapting and learning, and usually it's getting used to an extreme and unorthodox way of living. One they often wish they’d known before they got there.
Former inmates, their friends and family on Reddit have been sharing things that nobody told them about being incarcerated, but that they had to learn all on their own. And while some things do make sense, others feel like they’re out of this world.
We’ve collected some of the best responses on the post and made a curated list below, so scroll down and vote as well as comment on the ones you found most interesting, or tell us some prison stories you know of in the comment section below!
Pst! We also have another prison list if you’re into that.
More Info: Reddit
#21
I am not a prisoner and never have served time but for almost a year I teach in a prison full time, my office is in a minimum security prison so its extremely laid back, our currency here is not ramen though, its actually stamps, stamps are apparently used for currency to get other items from inmates, its like a legal tender here within the prison. The inmates here are all pretty much laid back, hard to get the younger guys to pay attention in class but the older guys have some wisdom for sure.
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26points
#22
Well, one my first night in prison, after lights out, one of the prisoners yelled "63!" The entire prison started laughing. I asked my cellmate what I was missing. He told me that they had all been in their so long that they had the same jokes. To save time, the just decided to number them. I asked if I could give it a whirl. I shouted "37!" The prison erupted into the most loud laughter I have ever heard. I ask my cellmate what joke I just told and he responded, "I don't know, I haven't heard that one before."
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24points
#23
rot117 said:
If there's a candy bar on your bed when you get there DO NOT eat or keep it give it to someone else.
If there's a candy bar on your bed when you get there DO NOT eat or keep it give it to someone else.
munkipawse asked:
Why? You have me curious about the reason.
Why? You have me curious about the reason.
rot117 explained:
Cause if you eat or keep it whoever put it there will most likely make it seem like you owe him or you might get a bad surprise.
Cause if you eat or keep it whoever put it there will most likely make it seem like you owe him or you might get a bad surprise.
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23points
#24
I would say the most surprising to me is that the inmates all do the same things, almost like they train each other to be inmates. For example: when they hold cigarettes and smoke, they all do it facing away from the officers station, they all sit on the beds in the same pattern, etc. If they see an officer coming onto the wing, they all yell "one time" to warn their friends to hide their s@#t. A more experienced officer can even spot inmates with "roles", which (in simple examples) you could have two inmates come up to distract you, while another one does something they're not supposed to. Or you could have one being irritating and trying to get on your nerves, so that another inmate will come up and offer to get him to stop. If you agree, the one stopping him will begin to act very friendly, and could start asking you to smuggle phones, or allow him and his buddies special privileges.
20points
#25
My dad did time. Got kitchen duty. Was serving food. Dude said to my pops "you better put more on this plate" my dad new If he did he would be considered a b***ch. He dropped the dude right in line. Had to go to seg but when he got out was considered the man of the pod. My 5'11 glasses wearing white father. It makes me smile thinking about it.
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18points
