@ coolrich001, rewdiazepam suggested I ask you this question because you were in a federal facility, my son was convicted of 1 count of internet CP in NY State and sentenced to 10 years (he is also facing similar charges in Montana, they are asking court for minimum 15 years). When he goes to wherever he will be serving his sentence, should he be honest when asked what hes in for, or should he lie? He will be in a federal facility, but we do not know if it will be medium or minimum security.

I did 2 years in a Federal Low. At 15 years, your son will be in a Medium, unless they changed the rules. I told those who asked that I was in for internet fraud. I could pull it off since I was/am computer literate.
He will probably never see a Camp. That is a Minimum. If he tells what he is in for, or they find out otherwise, at best, he will be shunned. He will need to keep a low profile and keep to himself, regardless.
I was lucky in that I knew some Bikers and Mobsters where I spent my time. There were also a couple of high end dealers there that I knew. My celly was in for espionage. He was an interesting guy and had a degree, like me.
We both helped other inmates with GED class studies and writing/editing letters and such. I had something to offer so I was left alone.
The only upside was I finally had enough time to read and exercise. I also worked in the Unicor facility as an inspector which kept me busy during the day. The food was horrible but I had enough money coming in to keep me in commissary, so I could eat. Some of the guys I knew were great cooks.
So, the bottom line is he needs to keep his mouth shut and pick his friends wisely.

coolrich001, thanks for the info. He too could pull of internet fraud, but if you google his name, the truth comes up. Here in New York State the DA was asking for 20 but the judge gave him 10 years in and 10 years supervised. He said it was because he was a first time offender, no priors, and seemed truly remorseful. Montana is ASKING for 15, hopefully they won't get it. They know nothing about him, I don't even think they knew of his charges here. They definitely have no knowledge of his medical issues. Right now it's a matter of whats going to kill him first, the emphysema or the marfans. If he winds up in medium, I can probably add getting killed by an inmate to that list.
I am going to advise him to keep his mouth shut, and keep a low profile, at least until he makes some friends. And I am praying to god he gets put in minimum, or at least somewhere where they are all SO's.

I guess maybe my son was lucky. He started out with 20 counts and ended up with 10 counts but only got 3 years. I was kinda worried he got the shaft but i guess not..

Kitty,
You may find this useful.
http://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/sex_offenders.jsp
But, if he goes to one of these units, he will be out in the open. He also could end up in a medical facility.

@bsmom14, No he definitely did not get the shaft. My son started out with (lets just say more than 20 counts), plead guilty to 1 count here in NY State and got 10 years. It wasn't until he was 3 weeks till sentencing that we found out about the charges in Montana.

Kitty,

At a medium I doubt that he will get killed if he is careful. I never saw a SO get killed, but I did see some violence against them and most were run off the yard---at a medium.

Here is what he needs to do: Go in there and use the Internet fraud as a cover story as Coolrich suggested. Memorize that story and stick with it.

Since he has a long sentence, he will need to make the story compatible with his charges. He cannot say he was a bank robber because they will take one look at him and know he is lying. He cannot say he is a drug dealer for the same reason---he does not have that rough look with all the tattoos and he does not have the demeanor or the talk. He has to use a white collar crime as a cover story.

And since he has a long sentence, he cannot say he stole a credit card or something relatively minor because they will know you do not get 15 year federal sentences for stealing a credit card. He has to say he was a member of a ring of credit card thieves or something to be compatible with the amount of time he is serving.

Make some friends, but be careful who you make friends with. No druggies, nobody that hangs around the shemales, no snitches, nobody that is too friendly with the guards, etc. Other inmates will be watching him very closely as a new arrival, so it is important to get off on the right foot.

Here is the biggest problem with many SOs in a medium security prison----they just act weird. They don't fit in with anyone and they just don't act normal. They may just sit in their cell all the time, they may never speak to anyone, they don't take showers, they are trolls. The other inmates don't like weird people and if they find out he is a SO they will use that as an excuse to harass him. They will notice he is strange acting and it will be a red flag. Act normal.

The SOs that can get along in a medium are the ones that carry themselves well and act normal. They do nothing out of the ordinary in there. They build respect and nobody bothers them.

Coolrich also made a good point about the GED. I was a tutor, so I had something that inmates wanted----knowledge. I was useful to them because I worked in the education department and could do things for them that nobody else could. Inmates are not stupid. They know when they see someone who will be beneficial to them. They will not hurt those people.

I also helped a lot of inmates in the cell house with filling out their commissary slips, reading their letters, or to just help them write a "request to staff." This is how you become a "good guy" or an "OK guy" in there and make friends and win respect.

If he does that and minds his own business, keeps his mouth shut, and doesn't make some stupid colossal mistake, he will probably do well. He will earn some respect and the other inmates will begin to like him as "an OK guy."

There have been people who suggested going into a medium security prison and telling the other inmates their SO charges. That is so foolish and downright dangerous. In the beginning, they don't know your son---have never laid eyes on--- so for all they know he is a serial child molester. After a while he can relax, and once they start to like and respect him, it won't matter as much, but I would ALWAYS keep my mouth shut regarding his charges.

There are a lot of people who give prison advice who have never been there. I literally cringe when I read some of the things that they tell guys going to prison to do. You would do well to listen to Coolrich as he has been there, seen it firsthand, and done it.

rewdiazepam

@ coolrich001, thanks for the website, I hadn't seen that one. According to his lawyer, he probably will not go to a medical facility because as long as he has his inhalers, his boost, and they get his diet straightened out, he is fine on his own, he does not need constant care.

@ rewdiazepam, You are right, my son is tall and thin, and geekie looking. He could pull of the internet fraud story (unless someone googles him, then he's pretty much screwed). I will tell him what you and coolrich have suggested. Hopefully we will have a better idea of where he may end up after he is sentenced in Montana (he does plan on fighting those charges). I am still hoping (hey ya gotta have hope) that when he gets there and they get ALL the facts (his lawyer is going to fax all the info including medical to whomever is going to represent him there), they decide that since he is already sentenced to 10 in and 10 supervised, he is already being duly punished.
If he just responded "I got caught" to anyone who asks why he's in, that would come off smart assey wouldn't it? Just a thought.

kitty

Rew added to what I said. Respect is a very important thing in prison. It can be simple things that you would never think of on the outside, like saying "excuse me" when you pass some one in a tight space. Or, never reaching over someone else's food to get something. Ask to have it passed. The showering thing is very important. No one wants to be near a "Viking"!
He can be sociable and being from the same locale can open doors. There were many from my area where I was and it turned out that we had been to many of the same restaurants, entertainment venues, etc. A lot of the guys that had been down for a few years wanted to know what was different. He just should not volunteer too much. Answer the question asked and keep close track of any lies about why he is there.
As for Google, unless he gives cause, the chance of someone getting that information is slim. He just can not be a "questionable" person. That means stay away from those being shunned and never go beyond "hello" with the Guards.
BTW, the guards love being called Correctional Officer. They correct no one and officiate over nothing. The best I called them was "CO". They are also called "HACKS" behind their backs which means "Horses Ass Carrying Keys".

Kitty,

You said, "If he just responded "I got caught" to anyone who asks why he's in, that would come off smart assey wouldn't it? Just a thought. "

I would not worry so much as it coming off as a smart ass----although that would not be good----but more importantly, "I got caught" would make inmates suspicions and raise a red flag. They are not stupid. They have plenty of street smarts. A remark like that would make them think " I wonder if he is hiding something, since he refuses to even tell us his charges?" He does not want that either, as that makes him stand out and it would not be good. A remark like that would make it much more likely for an inmate to call home and have them Google his name to find out his charges. That is what we DO NOT want..

Coolrich, made a good point about respect. Nobody in prison has any money, they are all broke and in the same boat, so all many inmates have left is respect. No loud radios or TVs, no smart ass comments, say "thank you", say "please", don't buck the chow hall line, etc. He is smart enough to know what is disrespectful but RESECT is a BIG thing in prison.

rewdiazepam

Rew,
Maybe we should come up with a "dos and don'ts" list for prison. Problem is, it has been 14 years for me and much has changed. Not for the better either.
These aren't bad.
http://www.oninmate.com/index.php/prison-life/do-s-don-ts
http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Being-in-Prison

Ooops, left something out. If something is sent in and you want to keep it quiet, destroy it completely. I learned how to tear things up in tiny pieces and scatter them in multiple trash cans. Also, all mail except legal, out and in, will be read by guards. So, be careful.

rewdiazepam, Don't worry, I would not suggest he say "I got caught". I really think he can pull off the internet story (after all, he also downloaded movies without paying for them, and he looks like a geek). I'm not saying that would get him 10 years, just saying he kinda knows his way around the internet. I am going to recommend he use the internet fraud story (only if someone asks). I will also tell him, if they don't ask, don't volunteer.
You had mentioned all the advice that is given buy people who have never "been there", his lawyer told him (and I quote) "prison is not like in the movies. You will survive this. Just remember you can be your own worst enemy, DO NOT tell anyone what you are in for. "

coolrich and rewdiazepam, I knew about mail being read. The wickihow page says if you are in for CP, insist on being placed in protective custody immediately.
He is currently in with other SO's, but that's it.
Oh, and he is still in Ohio.