In article <50n0bt$...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, pbo...@aol.com (Pbound)
writes:

I recently did a short stint in a federal prison for misuse of a credit
card.  While my experience is soemwhat different from yours, I can tell
you that it is perfectly normal to be scared of going to prison.  I was so
depressed and so scared that I took a massive overdose of morphine and
amitriptyline, ending up in the ER getting my stomach pumped (NOT a
pleasant experience).

It is scary, to see the days passing, knowing your report date is coming
up.  Prison is a traumatic, depressing experience.  I work now as a prison
chaplain, and I have not yet met one single inmate who wasn't scared when
they arrived.  Don't feel unusual, your fear is completely normal.

However, in most circumstances, the fear is unjustified, in that it is
based on TV and anecdotal stories rather than reality.  I say this with a
caveat that I'll get to in a minute.  Your first month or two in prison
will be very tough, emotionally.  You are surrendering the freedom you
have had your entire life for a very structured, disciplined and confined
life.  BUT, the better news is that after the initial shock of being
imprisoned wears off, and it will, usually in about a month, you will
realize that you CAN function in that environment.  I would caution you
that the best way to function in a prison environment is to make sure you
understand the rules and stick to them.  No smoking means just that, not
sneaking a few puffs after lights out.  Callouts for appointments must be
kept, respect must be maintained.  

Remember, you will meet many COs, and they are just like people everywhere
- some good, some bad.  Give them respect, and you will usually get
respect in return from them.

Now, the caveat.  You have heard correctly about prisoners who are
pedophiles or child molestors, or who have committed any sexually oriented
crime against children.  In prison "society", they are considered at the
bottom of the food chain.  I would STRONGLY recommend your not revealing
your offense.  If this means making up some story (although I usually
don't recommend lying), life will be easier for you.  Usually offense
records are not easily available to other prisoners, so your offense would
leak out only if you leak it.  Perhaps you could simply say you assaulted
some teenagers - regular assault, punching, etc; not sexually assaulting.

When I was in, our unit had one pedophile in it.  He freely admitted his
offense, and, while I never saw him come to any violence, he did not have
friends, he ate by himself, no one would sit near him, etc.  He was,
basically, considered "scum".  However, in counseling him, I found that he
was an intelligent, articulate, well-mannered person.  Unfortunately, he
had a personality flaw  where he "liked" young boys.

You may get responses with all kinds of horror stories.  I would recommend
you consider that some who respond may just do so to further their own
opinions of child-molesters.  Do not let them scare you any more than you
are already.

As an ordained prison chaplain, I would be willing to offer you some
counseling about what to expect.  I do not charge anything, and I have a
multiple degrees and experience.  Most of all, I have some understanding
of the basis for your fear.
If you wish to talk, send your telephone number to me by private email at:

RevJ...@aol.com

Good luck.  I will add you to my prayers.

Rev. James M. Sutter, D.D.  D.B.
Ambassador, Universal Life Church
Cleveland, Ohio  USA