How to survive in prison - advice by a prisoner supported by ABC

Klaudiusz "Paymon" Gliklich

Here's a short manual about how to survive behind prison walls, written by a prisoner supported by ABC-Poland, Klaudiusz "Paymon" Gliklich. It describes conditions in Polish prisons, but the prison subculture is more universal, and many of it's characteristics might be present in other places, not only within prison walls. We're all prisoners until the last one of us is free! -Zaczek

It's difficult to write something that would be an effective manual on how to behave when one gets into hte prison for the first time. Everybody has a different personality, and reacts differently in various situations. Nonetheless, i will try to give some advice to those who will find themselves on the other side of the wall for the first time. I don't wish that to anyone, but as we all know, life likes to play tricks on you.

I will divide this advice in three parts. It has to be noted though that anything i write here does not apply to those sentenced for rape, police spies, etc...

1) When the gate closes behind you and you're on this side, the first thing you have got to remember is that any employee of the prison is your enemy! It doesn't matter if it's a simple guard, the person charged of "reeducation", a doctor, a nurse or an administrative employee. Don't let them know you hate them (unless they give you a clear reason) but keep them at a distance. Answer only their questions and never discuss with them. You have got to remember that you cannot shake the hand of any of the employees of the prison!!! It's very important and you cannot fall into the illusion that the "reeducator" is sympathetic to you when he wants to shake your hand. You shouldn't shake his hand under any circumstance! After the first conversation with the reeducator, you will be taken by the guard to the cell. It can happen that the guard will drop the keys on the floor and will order you to pick them up. You cannot take the key in your hand!!! I will explain why later.

2) First entrance in the cell. At the beginning you will enter the so-called transition cell for the duration of 7 days. You will be with someone whose situation is very similar to yours, it's going to be someone who was jailed a very short time and is a "rookie" like you, but he already knows the basic things. The "transition cells" are made for the arrestee to get used to his new situation and the thought of being in prison, and for the other prisoners and the guards to observe his behaviour.

Before you will use plates and forks, you should boil it in water: someone has used it before you. A i said, somebody who was in the cell before you came will probably tell you what you are allowed to do and what you aren't. For example you are not allowed to use the toilet container when anyone is eating or drinking. You have to wait until everybody is finished with their meals.

Just as everywhere else, divisions exist in the jail. The administration lets you know about it at the beginning, but not always. The other prisoners who have spent some time in jail will explain it to you on the first occasion, which is the first promenade. The basic groups are: the "Grypsera" - they think thy're better than others, the "dumb-asses" - which is everyone who is not in the first group, but are not bothered by anyone, then there are the snoops, and the "Cwele" which means homosexuals - groups with the lowest status. The two last groups stay separately from the first two, although there are some snoops among the "Grypsera" too.

From the "transition cells" you will be moved to the general cells As soon as you come in, you'll hear the question "what are you in here for?". You should answer everything without trying to chat, because the other prisoners will ask you to show the document on temporary arrest. After that, you will be explained the rules that you still didn't learn in the transition cell. You have to remember and respect those rules, because everyone is subjected to it. Then you have to learn a special parlance called "bajera". It's a special prisoners slang, as you are not allowed to use most of the words you used as a free person inside the walls. Many of the words you have used commonly at home has an offensive meaning in prison. You are not allowed to use words which are associated with women. It's impossible to give a whole list, but i will try to give a few examples: [translator's note: i have skipped the examples, because it's impossible to translate - in general it's any names of objects which would associate with genitals, or any statement which can be associated with the sexual act.] You just have to learn it, it makes life in prison a lot easier.

At some point there will be a time when members of the "grypsera" will ask you if you would like to be one of them. They will try to convince you that it's full of advantages. It's empty talking. The "grypsera" had relevance under the communist system, it was a tool of total conspiracy and resistance to the prison administration through all means. As communism has gone, the "grypsera" has changed. It's no longer "all for one and one for all", but "everyone for himself". The custom subsisted as a mere subcultural game with language.

The "grypsera" believe to be better than others and don't shake hands with anyone outside their circle. Even two people were best friends outside the walls, but inside if one of them is in the "grypsera" and the other is not, they will not shake hands. Today it doesn't pay to be inside the subculture anyomore, as it is put aside by money and power. But if someone wants to join, he has to learn much more rules. Before he is generally accepted, he has to spend time being "one for himself". During this time, he is not allowed to use other people's objects, cannot eat at a common table with others, etc... The others keep him under scrutiny and try to collect as much information as possible - if he was ok as a free man, and whether he has ever denounced anyone to the police.

If everything is allright and the individual is positively verified, he receives general acceptance and is allowed to join the "grypsera". It happens though that the information about past wrong behaviours is known afterwards. In that case the incriminated person can get a warning, or a so-called "buffet". It's sort of a time given to prove one's innocence.

If one is not able to prove his innocence, the membership in the group is canceled, or the person is degraded to a status where anyone is allowed to insult him. But if the accusations against that person were false, the accuser himself receives the humiliating status. Very often prisoners try to settle the accounts for their old quarrels outside the walls using this method. The "grypsera" has visibly degenerated, and you have to think twice if it's worth to join it. Personally, i think that today it has no advantages anymore, whereas it can also harm you, because it's more difficult to have parole if you are a part of the subculture. But everyone should decide by themselves.

3) If you don't wish to join the "grypsera" you become a so-called "dumb-ass". But this name is no longer used that much. You just have those who are in "grypsera" and those who aren't. If you don't want to be a member of the subculture, but you respect yourself and are ok for the others, you will be respected by both of the two groups. If you don't allow others to manipulate you or influence you and if you will be able to say your own opinion, you will get respect in time. But you have to know that the beginnings are not easy, because thare are people who will try to use you, scare you or break you. It's psychological pressure. Show that you have a mind of your own and you're not afraid to say it, and the attitude of others will be more favourable to you. But if you will continue to change what you say depending who you're talking to, don't expect to be respected. Someone like that will never be treated as equal. Remember that those who are not in the "grypsera" are not considered less worthy, even if some people will try to convince you of that.

4) Don't ever engage in discussions with the prison employees of your own initiative. Limit your conversations with them to what's necessary. You have to remember that you're not allowed to repeat to anyone (it concerns other prisoners as well as guards) what is going on in the cells. Never ask the guards for help if you are having a conflict with other inmates. This includes all situations, except when medical care is necessary. But even then pretend not to know anything when asked. There is a saying: "Always know what you are saying, but don't always say what you know."

If you follow this rule, nobody will be able to reproach you about anything. Remember not to trust anyone. There are no friends inside the prison. You can have pals, but treat them with distance. You'll have a lot of friends if you receive a lot of packages from outside, but be warned against those who will try to use you. If you have nice clothes but no cigarettes, some people will try to barter, but the exchange rate will be so low it doesn't make any sense. Some will offer to borrow you cigarettes, coffee or anything else. But there's an interest rate to this kind of transaction. They will soon come and demand two times as much in return. Don't gamble - unless you're really good at it. Don't boast to know any martial arts if you do. Use your abilities when you need to, but try to avoid fighting unless your are in a no-exit situation.

Another thing are tatoos. Don't get excited about that idea, very few people know how to do them right in prison. Don't believe people who tell you that if you tatoo military rank on your shoulders, everybody will respect you! The times when this worked are long over.

Now i will get back to the reason why you can't take the key into your hand. It's a humiliating object in prison. If you take a key into your hand, you become an enemy of all other prisoners. It means you become "shot across" - degraded to the lowest status. In general you can't take anything directly from the hand of a prison guard. If he gives you an aspirin, he has to put it in your open hand. If he wants you to pick it up from his hand, never take it. There are many other things you have to learn once you are in prison, but i have presented the most essential, which will help those who are the first time in prison.

I wish none of you ever gets in prison and has to learn what i write here!

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