If you have been accused of committing a felony, you have to face up to the fact that you might well end up in jail. The prospect of serving time behind bars is depressing for anyone; on your first offence you will also naturally be apprehensive about what life in prison is going to be like for a first time felony offender.
Time in prison is supposed to punish the offender by taking away his liberty and, have no doubt, being locked up away from your friends and family is hard. In addition to this punishment you will have to face different types of danger including bullying, beatings, hostility from guards, and sexual assaults.
Prison is a dangerous place. Prisons are seriously overcrowded, and the guards can’t be everywhere at once; surviving in prison means you must protect yourself. The following tips will help you to survive your first prison sentence without becoming a victim.
1. As a first time offender, you might have the chance of avoiding a prison sentence or getting a reduced sentence by plea bargaining. Learn how this is done properly well before you are given a date to appear in court.
2. Make sure you choose the right lawyer. Don’t pick one at random from the yellow pages. You need someone who is experienced in criminal law procedure and has a proven track record as a defence lawyer. Don’t make the mistake of letting the court appoint an attorney for you; this is one of the most important choices you will ever have to make.
3. Learn how to behave during your first 24 hours in prison. The way you handle yourself at this time will affect the way other inmates treat you throughout your stay in prison.
4. Learn how to form associations and friendships with other inmates. You need to make friends with the right people and avoid troublemakers, so you should learn how to pick your friends.
5. Learn how to keep on good terms with prison staff without making other inmates suspect you of being a snitch. Just being seen talking privately with a guard can earn you a thorough beating from other inmates “just in case”.
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