Are you facing a prison sentence? Scared? You should be!

This hub is to help you survive that prison sentence. If you are a "baby-raper" or a "snitch" too bad for you; I can't help you and probably wouldn't if I could.

As a Christian, the first thing I will tell you to help you is get on your knees and pray for grace and mercy through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how "bad" you are, God loves you and sent His Son to be crucified for you.

The rest of this hub will deal with the reality of getting through prison--I am not putting Christ on the back-burner, but I know many are not at that point in their lives yet.

I entered prison before I accepted Jesus, so I will explain how I survived in that atmosphere.

I will first give you my background. 

As a minor, I was terrible. I lived in many different places and was in and out of boy's homes, delinquent center's, and ranch's. Many used to call me Houdini because I would escape from every place they would put me in.

At one point in my life I lived in Denver, Colorado.The group I ran with would do everything. We stole vehicles, robbed people, and my specialty; burglaries. I was in Denver Juvenile Hall for a major burglary and a big Indian kid and myself actually escaped. It was unheard of as it was just like a county jail.

I was finally facing adult charges. They gave me one last shot at probation after they caught me again. I was on probation in Denver and had no one. Escape artist that I was, I decided to fly the coop again. Off to Nebraska! 

Mom was living in Fremont(on map). I tamed down and moved in with her. I was turning 18 and knew I better slow my life down or I would go to prison.

I met a lovely girl and ended up getting married. I worked hard but I did smoke a little "pot". Life was good but our financial situation was terrible. My sweetie was pregnant and we were living with her Mom and Dad. I needed fast money so I bought 30 Lbs of marijuana and started selling. I was careful but not careful enough. One day a person I had been selling 1/4 Lb's to all the time called wanting 1 ounce. He was wearing a wire and 34 days later I got "busted".

They stuck it to me. I wouldn't tell on anyone. The judge handed down a 3-6 year sentence for $40 worth of weed. 

I have several suggestions to get you through it. I got through it and learned a lot.

In these lesson's please understand that prison is it's own place. You cannot survive there the same way you do out here.

First and foremost,You must not care if you live or die! If you are white, only stay around the whites. If you are black, only blacks and so forth.

No matter a man's color, don't trust them!

I found that the administration want's to think they rehabilitated you. Your first few months should show the hardest side of you. I myself, would fight at any moment. I sold drugs and smoked "pot" in prison. Pick a "bigshot" and fight them. I chose a guy they called "crazy" because he had killed another inmate for smiling. Hit him with a ten lb weight and killed him dead. I got my ass kicked, but I gained much respect!

After you have shown that "bad" side, start attending all the self-help groups you possibly can; A.A., drug courses, prison fellowship all are part of that. If you can, sign up for school courses. When you go to the parole board, they will see how you were terrible and then suddenly rehabilitated. Can you say early release? Your odds will be good! 

I suggest to not gamble in prison, you WILL lose.

Make sure and show respect to cell-mates. Don't fart and only take a crap when they are out of the cell.

It will be scary, but you cannot show that fear.

Last, but not least, if the group you run with asks you to do something, I suggest you do it--You will be alone and a sitting duck if you don't.

When in prison most inmates are given jobs to do. Aim for a powerful job! I worked for the chemical dependency program towards the end of my release. You can use your position to gain other favors.

Always remember that there are way more convicts than guards. In all actuality the inmates do control the prison.

It has been years since I was in and I am getting prepared to file for a pardon, but prison life will never change. Remember, as I said at the start of this hub, Jesus is the way to get away from that lifestyle.

Follow these simple rules and they may help your stay in the "bighouse".

Most experts say that about 70% of inmates return to prison--Don't be one of them, when you do get out, do it right! Get help if you need it.

I made it through it, all intact! Yes, rapes do occur, but usually to those that ask for it and are "pretty". I fought! No one would take my virginity--It'll stay that way until the day I die.

I got through it; You can too!!