Prison Life
Prison life is not easy. While most eventually adapt to their new way of life, it is not a walk in the park. Being in prison removes you from your family and society as a whole. Many of your basic everyday privilege are taken away. You do what you are told when you are told, and do it the way you are told to do it. There is no room for individuality. You are assigned a number when you enter the prison system. Everything you do is identified by this number.
People sent to prison are there for a wide range of reasons from theft, embezzlement, child abuse, neglect, drinking and driving, to rape, kidnapping, and murder. Prisons are classified in levels based on the violence of the inmates. There are minimum security, minimum-maximum security, medium security, and maximum security prisons. The higher the security, the higher the risk of violence to the other inmates and the guards in that facility.
For many, going to prison is a lesson in survival. You are trying to find your place in the hierarchy of the inmates. New inmates are easy targets, and they are tested. They may be beaten or raped upon entering the prison system. The inmate must also balance the requirements set by the court and their counselor, watch out for other inmates, and stay out of trouble with the guards. In addition, they are likely trying to keep their home life and connection to society going from where they are.
Prison life consists of a standard daily routine. Inmates are all woke up at the same time and must be in bed at the same time each night for lock down. They are feed meals at the same time everyday. The prison routine is very structured to allow everyone to adjust to having such a rigorus schedule. Some inmates work while others attend classes and counseling. Visitations and recreational time are also scheduled events.
One area inmates have some control over in prison is their faith. They can freely exercise their faith of choice. Services are generally non-denominational, with a religious facilitator available for individual guidance.
