Families of SOs Community Group
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my son has recently been sent to prison on 2 counts of child pornography. My son is 30 and has always been a quiet, mama's boy. I am very worried about his well being while being in prison. Is there anyone out there that has been to prison on similar charges that can offer advice on how to help keep him safe. I have always heard the most awful things that happen to sex offenders in prison. Is there anything he can say or do to keep other inmates from bulling or manipulating, or even worse, physically hurting him. Any advice would be greatly helpful.
As I tried to explain, most DOCs have three main security levels for prisons---minimum, medium, and maximum. But some states, Florida included, use five security levels----community, minimum, medium, closed, and maximum.
You can see that since Florida has five security levels and most DOCs have three security levels, the levels overlap, as I previously said.
The medium security level in most DOC systems---including Oklahoma---- corresponds to the closed system that Florida uses. So if he is headed to a medium security level in Florida, it is still one notch what the medium security level in Oklahoma would be. I am still confident that he will not be placed with murderers, hard convicts, or inmates serving a lengthy sentence.
But whatever, we will work through it if you still want my help.
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I got a 10 year sentence in NJ. Not Floridia I know but as a first timer with a 1st degree charge against a child, I was scared shitless. What I learned. Do not tell your crime unless you are heavily pushed ( that normally does not happen ) I would not lie in that situation as the guards will tell inmates and are the worst problem. ( then it is worse ) Do not borrow or steal from anyone. Do not take food from anyone unless you have become friendly. Do not get involved in anything anyone does. DO NOT SNITCH. Do not act like a pussy ( sorry for the language ) but also do not act tough. Keep to yourself, have general conversation and find 1 person that you get along with, others may follow. Do not put anyone down or make jokes at others expense. Respect your cube mates ( when 2-4 people share a square area separated by a 4 ft high semi wall. Do not talk back to the cops. Don't loan out smokes or do any commerce with anyone if you can avoid it. Do not ask others their charges, period. If he can work out while there, have him do it. You don't want to be the biggest but you want to look strong to stop harassment. The cops can be the worst. If they don't like you for some reason, they can make your life hell. I know 1 young guy who hanged himself after getting sexually abuse by an evening cop. He needs to say no, period. It is best to not tell anyone in the prison while he is there but document abuse and tell after release. Have the written stuff mailed out. They can't check outgoing mail unless they suspect contraband. Incoming mail, They will open the envelope but not pull it out. ( to look for contraband ) In NJ they put 1-5 year guys in the same place and 5-10 year in another , and 10+ can go to a few places. The 10+ ( like me ) go to places with life, double life, murders, etc. He should not be in that setting as he is a short timer. They generally don't mix short timers with lifers as the lifers can cause trouble and have little to lose. He needs to act neutral. Not a fighter and not a baby. If he does all that he generally will have no big problems. If they offer therapy classes, take them. Do everything he can to look good for hopefully parole. NJ is 85% (after I got locked up ) for violent crimes, CP is not violent so should be eligible for Parole if not a Fed charge. All Fed sentences are 85% but the conditions are 100% better. I did my 10 year sentence in a max security place and except for 1 altercation and a few issues with the cops ( due to the job I had and they wanted me to do against the rules stuff for them ) I did ok as a first time felon. I ended up losing 100 lbs and working out pretty hard to get strong ( not real big but strong ) and the ones likely to bother me left me alone. The movies are so wrong and if he has to leave the prison for anything they shackle his handcuffs to the waist chain and then add leg shackles. They make it real hard for anyone to fight when shackled.
Hope that helps a little. I learned this on the fly, unfortunately, I had no family support and had to fend on my own. Good Luck to him, it should be fine if he sticks to the rules.
Your post contained some VERY WISE advice. Pizza, you would be well served to listen to the people who have actually been to prison.
They know.
You will be told the wrong information time and again if you listen to everyone about prison or the conditions in prison. Chris was spot on as he has actually been to prison and knows what really goes on.
I agree with everything Chris said, especially this-----“The 10+ ( like me ) go to places with life, double life, murders, etc. He should not be in that setting as he is a short timer. They generally don't mix short timers with lifers as the lifers can cause trouble and have little to lose.”
I don’t care how Florida describes the security levels of their prisons, I still do not think your son will be placed in with the worst of the worst.
One thing to remember, Pizza: No matter what your son is like, no matter if he is a 250 mountain of muscle or a normal 150 pound guy, no matter if he is an extrovert or an introvert, no matter what his personality is, he WILL find some other inmates just like himself. We place so many people in prison these days that men from all walks of life go to prison, so prison is no longer a place where only hardended convicts go. Your son will find some other inmates who are also scared and confused about the system. If he follows everything Chris just said, he will do fine.
Also, Pizza, throughout the history of this country thousands upon thousands of men and women have gone to prison, served their time, and come out fine. There is no reason on God’s green earth that your son cannot do the same.
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you seem to be well-informed..I'm wondering if you could tell me the names of any "sex offender-friendly" institutions in FL, but of course that's only if they exist. Thank you.
http://tinyurl.com/y95dusz8
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