Latest news with #incarceration
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Inmates Shared Secrets About What Being In Prison Is Really Like, And I Have No Words
A while back, people from the BuzzFeed Community and on Reddit revealed what it's actually like to be incarcerated based on their experience (or the experience of others they know) — and their responses range from shocking to utterly heartbreaking. Here are some of the most eye-opening ones: 1."The guards can decide an inmate can't have something whenever they feel like it. Even though it's something they've been getting and having all the time. I would bring my mother things I know for a fact she was allowed to have because I read the list a million times over. But after standing in line forever, you get to the window and give them the stuff. They will give back the things she suddenly isn't allowed to have, but could, like, a week before. All because they feel like it and would take whatever they wanted." "I was told more than once that they would open what I gave her and take things. They took brand new no-name sneakers I got for her because I guess they wanted them more. I would get her a replacement pair, and they would take those, too. I got her a third pair, and she finally got them because it was a different guard." —pullhandlesupnotout 2."Jail sucks. I wouldn't have survived if my husband hadn't sent me books every few days. I was in jail for six months, and books were the only thing we had. I had read hundreds of books by the time I left. I had stacks in my cell from floor to ceiling, and I would rent them out to the women in my pod for things they made, like Jolly Rancher wrapper picture frames, drawings, soap sculptures, ramen, etc. When I left, I gave the women all my books, and you would have thought I gave them each $5,000 or something." "The library only had maybe 1,000 books, so if you're in there long enough, you go through them in no time; you end up reading things you don't even wanna read. I was never a big reader before jail, but it's one thing I've continued to do outside of those jail walls — that and using the coping skills I was forced to learn out of desperation. But if you ever need to get rid of books, donate them to a county jail. They will get read and be appreciated by everyone who picks them up. I promise you. They will go to good use. To this day, I donate books to the county jail because I understand what it's like. Also, not every person in jail is a bad person. You learn quickly that even the smartest, nicest, and most promising people end up in bad situations that land them there. So, you learn to be mindful and never judge a book by its cover." —emmajeanl2 3."My ex was in Rikers a few times and also upstate. Phone calls and commissary are expensive because the companies the prison contracts with are price-gougers. Inmates are often transferred to another prison without notice, and the guards toss everything in their cell when they do — letters, photos, etc. You completely lose your agency in there. When inmates leave, they don't know how to run their own lives. It's a shame because most people serving time get out and have to live in society with us. You'd think we'd want them prepared to take on life's challenges so they don't offend again. But in America, prison is not rehabilitative; it's punitive." "Compare that to Norway, where you live basically like you did outside, just sequestered. Recidivism rates are super low. In America, we have to contend with institutionalized racism. It sucks." —jenmas 4."Your word is everything. Breaking your word puts you roughly on par with a sex offender. You give your word on something, it needs to be gospel. Someone gives you theirs, assume it is too — and be ready to go if it isn't." —u/Cerinthus 5."Everything is for sale, or at least has a market value. Don't do anything for free unless it's for someone you know." —u/Cerinthus 6."Sustained eye contact means you're starting something. Someone makes it with you, assume they're sizing you up." —u/Cerinthus 7."Current prisoner here in the Philippines. Anything can be smuggled in if you pay the right guards — even sex workers. Money is power." "You can get away with almost anything if you have enough money." —u/TotallyDepraved 8."There are people to avoid, and if you have a decent celly (cellmate), they'll point them out, somewhat like Shawshank." "I was in medium security for six months on credit card fraud, so I wasn't near any expected dangerous people anyway, but there were still the territorial guys you were just better off avoiding." —u/ripplecutbuddha2 Related: "I Know You Aren't Trying To Hurt Me." Doctors, Nurses, And First Responders Are Revealing The Most "Haunting" Last Words They've Heard From A Patient 9."Keep to yourself, and don't stand out in any way. This also means don't be the 'funny' guy who makes everyone laugh. You want to be as invisible as possible, really." "For the most part, it's nothing like what you see in TV and movies. Don't start anything, but be willing and able to defend yourself if need be." —[deleted user] 10."Not being able to leave is incredibly frustrating and nearly impossible to put out of your mind. The entire time, part of your mind is raging at your captivity." —[deleted user] 11."People gamble a lot. Sometimes you will enter a unit, and people gamble on everything. You wanna play chess? You need to gamble to play. Dominoes? Gamble to play. Basketball? Gamble." "I remember we watched The Bachelor, and we all had money on which woman the guy would kick off the show. Meanwhile, the guard is confused about why 30 people are all watching The Bachelor rose ceremony." —u/61pm61 12."The guards just sat and watched YouTube all day and night. Seems like a dream job if you've got no soul." —u/DrMeowbutuSeseSeko "Had an uncle who was a guard. Said it was the most soul-destroying job he'd ever had. He also said that most of the time, he got along better with the prisoners than with the other guards." —u/foul_ol_ron Related: 26 People Who Had Overwhelming Gut Instincts They Couldn't Were Right 13."Not a longtimer here, but show everyone respect. If you bump into someone, it's critical to say, 'I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention.'" "You never shake hands, you fist-bump. You can't be nice to the guards — just polite. There are a LOT more illiterate people than I ever thought possible." —u/drank-too-much 14."For me, the loss of everything outside of my body was the biggest shock. You don't have anything they don't want you to have when you first go in, so in a way, it's like being born into a new world, but fully aware." —u/ripplecutbuddha2 15."I was a female inmate in a state prison. Anyway, I know there's a huge difference between men's and women's jails, and a huge difference between jail and prison. But one thing that no one tells you is that it's going to be so boring. So endlessly boring." "For women's and state prison, there are a lot of programs and jobs available to fill your time, but there's always a wait — and you have to be in for a certain amount of time before you qualify for a lot of things. While I didn't enjoy my stay there, I always ended up being able to make the most of it and have a good time." —u/chchchchia86 16."Wear slippers in the shower, and shower every day. Not doing one of those gets you beat up here in California." —u/hb_simon 17."Summer vacations. A friend of mine was recently locked up during summer months. Because guards take vacation the same time as everyone else, three days a week were spent on lockdown — meaning that one to two hours of outside time didn't apply because of staff shortage." "He's out now, and very thankful for his freedom." —u/FattyDD 18."A friend of mine did some time. He had internet and PlayStation, and a chef made breakfast and dinner every day. They had to make lunch themselves with access to a full complimentary kitchen. Knives, cutlery, and so on were freely available." "They often went outside to shop groceries, and some even went to work. Basically, the only thing was to stay away from the sex offenders. This was a medium-security correctional facility in Norway." —u/Sensur10 19."No one tells you how hungry you're gonna be. The food sucks — and not just sucks; it's absolutely not fit for human consumption. But you get hungry enough to eat it. They only serve 1,200 calories a day in women's prison (at least mine did)." —u/chchchchia86 20."A lot of people were uneducated. No idea about geography, history, science, or anything. This led to me being a tutor in there for people taking the GED." —u/61pm61 21."It's WAY louder than you think it would be. There are always people who never seem to sleep." —[deleted user] 22."There is a store there, and you can get anything you want. The way a store works is that one or two people in the unit have every possible commissary item you can get." "You want a bag of sour cream potato chips? He'll give it to you, and next week, you owe two bags. Or you get two ramen soups and owe him three next week. I will never forget when Hurricane Sandy hit, and the unit ran out of coffee. People couldn't function and stopped working out, and coffee throughout the jail was going for super-high prices." —u/61pm61 And finally... 23."Try not to talk about your time or open up about how you are feeling about it. There's always somebody who is going to do way more time than you and doesn't want to hear it." "Let's say you're fighting a case, and that case has you doing 16 months. I understand that a lot of people would be stressed about it — I get it; jail sucks. That being said, try to keep that to yourself unless somebody you are cool with asks." —u/hb_simon Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Have you (or someone you know) ever been in prison? What was the surprising thing about your experience? If you feel comfortable sharing your story, you can use the comments or this anonymous form below. Also in Internet Finds: 51 Wildly Fascinating Photos Of Disorders, Injuries, And Variations In The Human Body That I Cannot Stop Staring At Also in Internet Finds: 23 People Who Tried Their Best, But Crapped The Bed So Bad Also in Internet Finds: 27 Grown-Ass Adults Who Threw Such Unbelievable Temper Tantrums, Even The Brattiest Toddler Couldn't Compete
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Scott Roix's New Book Explores Transformation and Hope Within the Walls of Incarceration
Scott Roix's Memoir, ' Lucas: A Journey Beyond the Walls,' shares the transformative story of Lucas Lorenzo Brown, a person who spent almost two decades in prison and appeared as a renewed vision and dedication to serve others. This fantastic story delivers a profound exploration of the truths of incarceration and endurance. It shows one person's journey can motivate change. Scott Roix, an entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience, is zealous about sharing stories that motivate and encourage understanding. Having dealt with many problems, Roix brings a unique perspective to the story that equips readers to link deeply with Brown's journey. Roix's earlier works have focused on endurance and personal development themes, which makes him a significant voice in modern literature. In the memoir, Roix elaborates on Brown's disturbing experiences, emerging with his arrest and following a 26-year sentence for drug-related crimes. The tale shares the federal prison system, where Brown's path of self-exploration and change shapes. By starting the Fit Mentally and Physically (FMP) program, Brown rehabilitates himself but allows many other fellow inmates to seek personal development, physical fitness, and mental peace. His mantra, 'We are all equal,' echoes throughout the book, focusing on the significance of community and support. Roix's memoir is heart-wrenching and inspirational. He covers the essence of Brown's character, showing how his struggles with anger, misery, and hopelessness grew into a powerful drive to elevate others. By navigating through fitness training, Bible study groups, and mentorship, Brown proves that in confusing situations, meaning and enlightenment can be found. His journey reflects a dedication to self-enhancement and a faith in the strength for change. The book also shares broader elements, such as the justice system's faults, the influence of systemic disparities, and the significance of second chances. Roix emphasizes how Brown's experiences are representative of many people confronting the challenges of incarceration and rehabilitation in society. The story serves to show the humanity in those who have been sidelined and to assist efforts for rehabilitation and reintegration. In ' Lucas: A Journey Beyond the Walls,' Roix calls readers to assess their lives and the power of sympathy. The book is perfect proof of the strength of the human soul and the potential for transformation. This influential book is meant to connect with a broader audience, from the people interested in improving criminal justice to those expecting motivation in their lives. The book 'Lucas' is a reminder that hope can flourish in the most unexpected places and that by lifting each other up, we can create a livelier future for all. Available at major retailers and online platforms, ' Lucas: A Journey Beyond the Walls' is composed to become an indispensable book of endurance and redemption. Media Contact Company Name: Scott Roix Contact Person: Scott Roix Email: Send Email Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Scott Roix's New Book Explores Transformation and Hope Within the Walls of Incarceration
Globe and Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Scott Roix's New Book Explores Transformation and Hope Within the Walls of Incarceration
Scott Roix's Memoir, ' Lucas: A Journey Beyond the Walls,' shares the transformative story of Lucas Lorenzo Brown, a person who spent almost two decades in prison and appeared as a renewed vision and dedication to serve others. This fantastic story delivers a profound exploration of the truths of incarceration and endurance. It shows one person's journey can motivate change. Scott Roix, an entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience, is zealous about sharing stories that motivate and encourage understanding. Having dealt with many problems, Roix brings a unique perspective to the story that equips readers to link deeply with Brown's journey. Roix's earlier works have focused on endurance and personal development themes, which makes him a significant voice in modern literature. In the memoir, Roix elaborates on Brown's disturbing experiences, emerging with his arrest and following a 26-year sentence for drug-related crimes. The tale shares the federal prison system, where Brown's path of self-exploration and change shapes. By starting the Fit Mentally and Physically (FMP) program, Brown rehabilitates himself but allows many other fellow inmates to seek personal development, physical fitness, and mental peace. His mantra, 'We are all equal,' echoes throughout the book, focusing on the significance of community and support. Roix's memoir is heart-wrenching and inspirational. He covers the essence of Brown's character, showing how his struggles with anger, misery, and hopelessness grew into a powerful drive to elevate others. By navigating through fitness training, Bible study groups, and mentorship, Brown proves that in confusing situations, meaning and enlightenment can be found. His journey reflects a dedication to self-enhancement and a faith in the strength for change. The book also shares broader elements, such as the justice system's faults, the influence of systemic disparities, and the significance of second chances. Roix emphasizes how Brown's experiences are representative of many people confronting the challenges of incarceration and rehabilitation in society. The story serves to show the humanity in those who have been sidelined and to assist efforts for rehabilitation and reintegration. In ' Lucas: A Journey Beyond the Walls,' Roix calls readers to assess their lives and the power of sympathy. The book is perfect proof of the strength of the human soul and the potential for transformation. This influential book is meant to connect with a broader audience, from the people interested in improving criminal justice to those expecting motivation in their lives. The book 'Lucas' is a reminder that hope can flourish in the most unexpected places and that by lifting each other up, we can create a livelier future for all. Available at major retailers and online platforms, ' Lucas: A Journey Beyond the Walls' is composed to become an indispensable book of endurance and redemption.
CBC
22-05-2025
- CBC
Man facing murder charges for attacks near Kingston encampment dies in custody
Social Sharing The man facing murder charges for a series of violent attacks near a Kingston, Ont., encampment that left two people dead and a third critically injured has died in custody, according to the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Andre Wareham was being held at the Central East Correctional Centre while awaiting trial. He died in hospital on April 22, ministry spokesperson Brent Ross confirmed in an email to CBC. Ross did not share any further details, including a suspected cause of death, citing ongoing investigations. The Ontario coroner's office said that because Wareham's death occurred while he was incarcerated, a standard death investigation is taking place. "If the manner of death is non-natural, a mandatory inquest will be held," spokesperson Stephanie Rea added in an email. Wareham's death was first reported by local news outlet Kingstonist. Reached by CBC, his family declined to comment. According to a GoFundMe campaign created in early May and shared by some of his loved ones on social media, Wareham was a father to three children and is also survived by his mother and brother. "Andre passed away under tragic and unresolved circumstances while incarcerated," it reads in part, asking for help covering the cost of a private service and to support his children following his cremation. 2 men killed, 1 woman seriously injured Wareham was facing two first-degree murder charges and one charge of attempted murder in connection with the deadly attacks on Sept. 12, 2024. Witnesses said the attacks involved a hammer. He was arrested following a lengthy standoff with police. It took place near an encampment that had grown around the Integrated Care Hub (ICH) on Montreal Street, which houses the city's only supervised consumption site and offers other services including showers and meals. Police identified Taylor Wilkinson, 38, and John Hood, 41, as the two men killed in the attacks. Friends described them as generous, caring and the kind of people who were always looking out for others. A woman who was not named by officials also suffered life-threatening injuries. In a statement issued while the standoff was still going on, Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson called for the encampment to be cleared and the injection site shut down until a "better way" to support vulnerable residents could be found. Investigators later said Wareham lived near the hub and was familiar to those living in Belle Park, but was not part of the encampment. Court documents from Thunder Bay show his arrest last September wasn't the first time he had been accused in a homicide: Wareham was charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a neighbour in 2009. He was ultimately found not guilty in that case, CBC reported in 2012. In the wake of the violence in Kingston, the ICH and all of its services were temporarily shuttered and the area around it fenced off as tents and other makeshift shelters were hauled down and removed. Just over a month later, the injection site reopened and other services slowly resumed.
WIRED
20-05-2025
- Business
- WIRED
What to Expect When You're Convicted
May 20, 2025 6:00 AM When a formerly incarcerated 'troubleshooter for the mafia' looked for a second career, he chose the thing he knew best. He became a prison consultant for white-collar criminals. PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION: JOHANNA GOODMAN; GETTY IMAGES From Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud-ridden crypto empire to Elizabeth Holmes' sham biotech company to deepfakers on the internet bilking grandmas of their retirement savings, white-collar crime seems to touch every last corner of tech. For the business titan who may one day end up in custody and can't count on a presidential pardon, it never hurts to know a guy. WIRED spoke with a self-described former 'troubleshooter for the mafia' who was incarcerated in US penitentiaries for a decade and found a new role for himself on the outside: He became a prison consultant. Now he works with an array of white-collar offenders. He berates and curses the ears off his clients—but it's all part of the no-bullshit approach he says he uses to help them reduce and optimize their time inside. Once when I was in prison and we were walking out of the dining hall, I stopped and I looked out the window. I said, 'Do you see it?' And the other inmates are like, 'What?' I go, 'It's right there.' And they're stopping and gazing into the sky. Then more people come out of the dining hall and start looking too, and before you know it, so do the correctional officers. Finally, I said: 'Gee, see how easy it is to take control of stupid people?' I had a prison psychiatrist say that I treated the prison system like it was my own personal amusement park. I was just having too good of a time in there. I would get on the telephone, calling home or whoever, and I'd go, 'Well, if the staff hates me right now, they're going to despise me by this weekend. I have something special planned. I really can't say. The staff's listening in on the phone calls.' So the weekend rolls around, they put extra staff members on duty, wondering, 'All right, what's the dude going to do?' I'm lying in my fucking bunk reading a book. I ain't going to do shit. But I fucking manipulated these people. I also spent my time helping people. I would help people who were over-sentenced on their charges get into RDAP, the Residential Drug Abuse Program, or an extra halfway house called the Second Chance Act program. I would go through their legal paperwork and say, 'You know what? Let's file in court on this,' and boom, all of a sudden somebody gets resentenced. That made me a folk hero. I thought, 'Well shit, I could turn this into a business.' When I first got out of custody, there was nobody doing this. My primary clients were people that had financial fraud. Some drug clients, but it was people who ripped people off. Your white-collar offenders. It's people who are scared, angry, and confused. If they reach out to me before they've gone in, I can get them prepared. Between people on the outside and people on the inside, I may have like 50 clients, maybe 100, at a time. Sometimes my services are free, sometimes they're $3,500, $5,000, $10,000. I even had one guy pay me $50,000. It just depends on the person, their circumstance, what they can afford. I've got four other people who work with me, two women and two men. When my clients come to me, I tell them: 'OK, so shut the fuck up and listen to what I have to say. You're in deep shit. I'm going to pull your head out of your ass, because your lawyer probably screwed you, made you false fucking promises that they can't keep. First let's take a look at your charges, your federal indictment. What are you charged with? Is it drugs? Is it some type of wire fraud?' And we'll just break your case down. I'm not a lawyer. I can't give you legal advice. But what I can do is explain the law to you, and I can help you determine whether or not you should go to trial or take a plea agreement. I also teach my clients how to lie on the witness stand effectively, how to beat the polygraph machine. So I'm a full-service kind of business. I got hit with narcotics trafficking, securities fraud, racketeering, obstruction of justice, and possession of machine guns. I'm not here to fucking judge anybody. I know within five minutes of seeing the indictment whether this person's going to prison. There's no question about it, unless they're ratting people out. So a dumbass gets sentenced. I have a chemical dependency assessment done on them to determine whether they have a substance abuse issue. If I have a report generated for them and it gets put into their probation report at sentencing and they submit it to the prison, it creates eligibility for them to get into a program to get out up to one year early. I explain to them it's not what they've seen on TV. I hold their hand and their family's hand, because their families are busy watching prison shows and they're all freaked out. I calm them down. Prison is boring. It's Groundhog Day. Every day is the last day, unless people get into a fight or something. I explain to them the different types of prisons. A majority of my clients go to minimum security institutions, known as federal prison camps. Many have no fences, no walls. They often don't lock the doors. I'm teaching my clients the politics of prison life—how to deal with staff, how to deal with other inmates. You don't want to hang out with informants or child molesters. And some of the staff members are fucking cuckoo. They're unprofessional. They're not well trained. They have their own emotional and personal issues. I give people that psychological peace of mind. I have a lot of clients that are family members of people in custody. I'm like a cross between a marriage counselor, a psychologist, a life coach, and a priest. So that calms the people. My wife said that I need to be nicer to the clients. I think maybe I'm desensitized because I've been doing this shit for so long. I get frustrated. I sometimes go off on people. I say, 'I don't know who's dumber, you or a fucking lawyer, listen the fuck up.' I mean, my ex-wife said I didn't have one ounce of human kindness. She knew me the best. —As told to Elana Klein
