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Life after prison can be hard and frustrating, especially during the transition phase. There are times that people may not fully accept you once you get back to the community. The stigma might always be there. That’s why it’s important to know how you can adjust and have a better life after serving time in jail. Here are some tips on how you can prepare for adjusting to life after prison. Manage Anger Issues Prison walls are built with violence and fear. So, we understand that your aggression and anger are your only methods of protection. However, these attitudes are not acceptable outside prison. You will need to find a way to control this anger so you will not push your loved ones away from you. Expect a Culture Shock Being locked up in prison for so long can make you feel left out once you get back home. Change is the only constant thing, so you need to expect that things may be unfamiliar to you once you go out. You may notice new technology, new trends in fashion, and even a new language once you get out of jail. You may need to ask for some guidance from […]

We all have different ways of how we will interact and discipline our kids. But did you know that how you treat your child will, later on, have a great impact on their adult life? You may notice that some find it difficult to interact with others, while others do not. According to studies, a daughter’s actions depend on how their father treats them. You may not realize it, but your daughter’s behavior depends on the relationship she has with you. Treating your daughter right will benefit both of you. You might not see it now, but you’ll see the outcome once they start their adult life. Steering clear of “toxic dad” traits is one thing that can help you be the father your daughter wants you to be. Here are the types of toxic father-daughter relationships you should avoid. The Absent Dad This is the type of dad who walks out on their family’s lives. In general, a father who leaves his family can be very unhealthy. This can develop a fear of abandonment and cause emotional stress for your daughter. It can also apply to dads who are in prison. Their children grew up without a fatherly figure. […]

We all know him as the greatest basketball player of all time. But for the past few years, a persistent rumor continues to haunt his public image. According to many internet sites, Michael Jordan had invested millions of dollars in private prison stocks. Though not a stranger to intrigues and conspiracy theories himself, this particular news came as a shock to many people of color. After all, minorities make up most of the country’s prison population. And private prisons are seen as a contributing factor for the mass incarceration problem in the US. Predictably, this earned him a backlash from the African-American community. But before we start hurling hate words at him, let’s step back and see how true this rumor is. Here’s what we found about the truth behind Michael Jordan’s private prison investment news. Michael Jordan vs. Michael Jordan Yes, Michael Jordan did indeed invest in private prison stocks. BUT not the Michael Jordan who’s flying and slamming balls in hoops. It’s the Michael Jordan who works for the Bureau of Environmental Services in Portland, Oregon. In short, it’s a case of mistaken identity. They are two people from very different backgrounds who just happen to share the […]

In the US, inmates are not allowed to receive calls. They can only make outgoing ones. Some facilities impose a limit on how many minutes of calls an inmate can make each month. Others let them call whenever they want as long as they don’t hog the phone to themselves. If your loved one is inside one of these prison facilities, it is but natural to want to know who they’re calling. After all, you don’t want them to end up talking to people who might be a bad influence on them. Or if you’re in a romantic relationship an inmate, you’d want to find out early on if they’re cheating on you. So how do you know who an inmate is calling? To that, there is no definite answer. But one thing is for sure, it won’t be easy. It might even take some detective skills on your part. First, let’s refresh our knowledge of inmate call policies. Who Can an Inmate Call? Though inmates are allowed to make outside calls, they can’t just call whoever they want. Policies vary per facility but one common rule is that inmates have to register the people they want to call. Then […]

Getting charged with a traffic violation can be really bothersome. Instead of doing something productive, you’ll have to appear before a traffic court judge and plead your case. But it can even be worse when you miss your court date. In general, the court only recognizes three valid reasons for missing a court date. One is if you’d been incarcerated before your scheduled trial. Another is when you’re called to military duty. The court also considers medical emergencies or hospitalization. Excuses like “it slipped my mind”, “I had to work” or “I was out of town” are definitely not acceptable. So what should you do when you miss your court date for a traffic violation? First, let’s look at what punishments you can expect after missing your court date. What Happens When You Miss Your Court Date? Punishments for missing court dates typically vary per state. In general, the most direct consequence is missing the opportunity to defend yourself. With no one to challenge the ticket, you’ll most likely be automatically found guilty of the traffic violation you’re charged with. In some states like North Carolina, the courts allow you up to 20 days to make up for your actions. […]

The US holds just 5% of the world’s population but it has the unfortunate reputation of having the most number of its citizens in prison. Yes, mass incarceration in the US is real and it should be a cause for great concern. As of 2018, around 2.2 million adults are locked up in US jails and prisons according to the Bureau of Jail Statistics. That’s about 25% of the country’s total population. For the past 50 years, the number of incarcerated has grown to a whopping 700% – the fastest in the world. Here are five other things you didn’t know about mass incarceration in the US. Money Decides Who Gets Out The thing with mass incarceration is it hits the poor harder than the rich. It is estimated that around 600,000 people (or 2/3 of the total inmate population) have not been convicted of a crime. They just can’t afford bail. So, the bottom line is money decides who gets out and who doesn’t. For those who have the financial capacity to post bail, getting out of jail is a piece of cake. Otherwise, they get stuck inside or forced to avail of a high-interest bail bond. Blame It […]

Prison life is hard for everyone. It’s a world completely unlike the one we know outside. It operates on different rules and social hierarchy. For first timers, it can be totally overwhelming. That’s where prison consultants enter the picture. They prepare their clients on how to cope inside the prison. Their services can range from giving tips on how to avoid being caught in prison riots to making prison delicacies. In short, they make prison life easier for those who can afford to pay for their services. Yes, a prison consultant’s services is invaluable for a new inmate. But it comes with a steep price tag. Service fees could go as high as $550 an hour. No wonder most of their clients are white collar criminals, celebrities, high-level drug dealers and politicians. Here are other things you didn’t know about prison consultants: Most of Them Are Ex-Convicts Themselves There’s nobody better qualified to give you prison advice than someone who once did their time too. For this reason, many ex-convicts who have turned their life around are making money as prison consultants. Some previous jail officers have jumped in on the bandwagon too. But a lot of people think that […]

Time and time again, we hear about celebrities getting arrested for bad behavior. DUIs and drug charges are quite the norm in Hollywood. One proof that fame and fortune just doesn’t sit well with everybody. But for some celebrities, being wealthy and famous have got nothing to do with their jail stint. In fact, they probably never thought they’d one day be famous while slugging it out inside. Through luck and determination, they managed to turn their lives around. Now, they are some of the biggest names in the industry walking on red carpets around the world. Let’s look back at what these celebs did that landed them behind bars before they even set foot in Hollywood: Mark Wahlberg Now a successful actor, songwriter and businessman, Wahlberg had a troublesome teenage years. At 17, he was arrested for assaulting two Vietnamese men in his hometown in Boston. Wahlberg reportedly beat up the first Vietnamese man with a large wooden stick till he fell unconscious. On the same day, he punched another Vietnamese man in the eye which almost made him blind. He was also heard to have called them “Vietnam fucking shits” and other unsolicited racist remarks. He pleaded guilty […]

Seeing a loved one in handcuffs and carted off behind bars is very tragic. It’s even more so for the one facing incarceration. The threat of losing your freedom and everything that comes with it is enough to send someone into a deep abyss. Figuratively and, sometimes, literally. The American Psychological Association reports that around 10% to 25% of prisoners in 2014 suffer from serious mental illnesses. Some even endure major disorders such as schizophrenia. Alcohol and drug dependence is also very high among inmates. A lot of prison support groups are available for those who have to cope with a loved one or family member being incarcerated. Yet, not so much for those who are in jail. Inside the thick walls of penitentiary, inmates often rely on outside emotional support. Every month, each prisoner gets only a total of 300 minutes talk time. Divide that by thirty days and they only get an average of less than two hours each day to talk to friends and family. A single call can last no more than 15 minutes and they have to wait for another 45 minutes before their next call. It’s not much but it will have to do. […]

If you think you already know there is anything to know about inmate calls, you better think again. The prison calling system in the US is a web of complicated policies. Each state makes their own rules which accounts for most of the confusion. What may be applicable in Florida might be frowned upon in Washington. Yet there are also regulations that holds true for the whole country. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about our country’s inmate telephone system. You Can’t Call an Inmate You read it right. You cannot initiate a call with an inmate. Rather, it’s only them who can call you. This makes a lot of sense when you look at it from a security officer’s point of view. We all know that prisoners are kept in their prison cells away from the telephone booths. In some cases, the phone is in the warden’s office. Now, imagine if family members would just simply call prisoners whenever they please. Jail guards would have to escort the inmates from their cells to the phone booths from time to time. That is a security risk that most jail administrators are not prepared to take. Also, the facility […]

The Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee recently made headlines for executing another death row inmate – its third this year. David Earl Miller holds the record for the longest-serving prisoner on Tennessee’s death row. He was executed on December 6, 2018, almost 37 years after he was arrested for the murder of Lee Standifer. He was 22, she was 23 and they were dating at the time of the incident. The murder was brutal. Miller was convicted and sentenced to death a year after his arrest. He also admitted responsibility for Standifer’s death. With Miller’s death, maybe you can say that justice is finally served. But, is it? Or is there more to this than what the records say? Who is Lee Standifer? Court documents revealed that Standifer was born with a “diffused brain damage” and “mildly retarded”. Family members, particularly her mother, remembers her as a positive and happy person. She was good with certain things like reading but other tasks remain a challenge for her. Despite her condition, she was able to finish high school in 1976. She soon found a job at a chicken packaging place and moved to her own place in downtown Knoxville. […]

Marrying the love of your life is everyone’s dream. But what if the love of your life is set to spend the next few years (or their entire lifetime) behind the cold bars of jail? Will you still marry them? This was the dilemma faced by the brave souls who have shown the world that love knows no bounds. They married inmates and proved that not a thousand mile distance, handcuffs, nor society’s disapproval can hinder love. Incarceration in the US Prison is often described as a cold and depressing place. A seemingly apt punishment for people who have broken our laws. A place where we banish people we don’t want to live among us. Yet, not all prisoners are guilty of the crimes they are imprisoned for. In fact, the US has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. It houses only 4.4% of the world’s population yet it’s prisoners account for around 22% of the world’s total number of inmates. As of May 2018, the country has 655 prisoners for every 100,000 residents. Canada, it’s neighbor, has more than five times lower incarceration rate. Prison Pen Pal System With these statistics, several initiatives have been made to […]

In the Netherlands prisoners are given keys to their cells as crime rates fall, prisons close, and inmate populations dwindle. This is all part of a rehabilitation scheme that aims to treat prisoners better and with more humanity. In Dordrecht, Heerhugowaard, Zaandam, and Arnhem inmates have keys to their cells where they can come and go as they please so long as they are back by 9:30pm. Additionally, they have a digital computer that lets them order things like groceries and make appointments with other prisoners and staff. Prison guards are no too keen on the move as they complain that there is too little supervision for the inmates. They also claim that the move fails to vindicate the victims of the crimes these inmates have committed. They are afraid that prisoners are using their newfound freedom to run criminal enterprises outside of prison. These complaints have found a home at the Dutch Department of Justice. It is not hard to imagine that criminal businesses are being run with the freedom these prisoners are afforded. Long periods of the day are spent in places other than their cell meaning criminal meetings and drug trades could be taking place regularly. The […]

Life inside a North Korean prison is far from ordinary and verges on barbarian. A former guard describes what life is like for the inmates of North Korea with grueling detail. They face beatings, starvation, rape, and summary executions for dissenting from the government or trying to escape. Lim Hye-jin has seen people set on fire, beheaded, and mass shootings in a group punishment after foiled escape attempts. There is no easy way to deal with the dissenters of the North Korean government as they sit on par with some of the most disturbing prison systems of all time. The prison guard Lim was herself imprisoned before she escaped after she was caught illegally training. She now lives in South Korea safe and home free. She escaped 15 years ago but the images of the treatment and punishments still make her uneasy. She claims she was manipulated to not feel any sympathy for the prisoners as they had committed great crimes against the government. She now says that they were in fact just normal people and she feels terrible and very guilty. In one extreme case a pair of brothers successfully bid for their freedom temporarily. Seven members of their […]

After a federal court overturned a national limit on the price of the calls, activists turn to state and local governments. Five years ago, when her nephew was sentenced to a second stint in prison in Arizona, Blu Dux began a twice-a-week ritual of talking to him on the phone. To make it work, Dux had to set up a landline to accept collect calls and pay an average of $5 per call — the expense totals nearly $100 a month. “I’m trying to create a bond with him, and it gets broken any time we don’t have communication,” said Dux, who lives on Kauai. “I know it helps his sense of support — being anchored by having somebody on the outside who is concerned for his welfare.” In Hawaii, the cost of a 15-minute call from prison can now be as much as $9.10, including the fees. Read more

Jeremy Barrett remembers very little of the assault that would change his life. He was at the end of a three-year sentence in a Florida state prison when he was caught stealing potatoes from the prison kitchen. As punishment, he was sent to confinement with a cellmate who, according to court filings, was “severely mentally ill.” The man attacked Barrett in a violent rage, ultimately gouging out one of his eyes. “I went into shock,” Barrett said.  When he got out of prison one month later, Barrett, 36, sued the Florida Department of Corrections for negligence. The department responded with a counterclaim or a “cost of incarceration lien” of $54,750 — the total cost of Barrett’s 1,095 day stay in the prison at $50 a day. “They charged me for me being in prison,” Barrett said. “Yeah I was surprised.” Read more here: