"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment " Philippians 1:9

I hope you read this if you have any interest in understand what prison life can be like.  This is a small sampling of day to day issues you have to worry about.  Hopefully, it will help you better understand what your loved ones are going through and give you a better understanding of why a strong support network after release is pivotal.  God Bless! 

Spending nearly 4 years in federal prison and now running a nonprofit focused on lowering recidivism led to me recently being asked by a friend if there was any advice I could provide for their friend who was sentenced for a financial crime - He had to self surrender in less than a week at the time I wrote this. Going to prison is hard for anyone and the realities upon entry and successful integration depends on what you know. There are so many things society is unaware of in regards to our justice system. This individual was going to a low security prison or a prison camp. Might be interesting to those that have never been, helpful to ones that might be going. I am sure I am missing so much but wanted to get it done quickly so the guy had some time to digest it. I have started a nonprofit Christian ministry named Brand 316. 

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Please provide to your friend. 

I am sorry if this letter is all over the place, I wanted to try to cover everything I could that may be helpful and I did not have any specific order. I also wanted to get this done quick since timing is short. 

The low security FCI will be a low key environment, however it is important to figure out and follow all rules. There are two sets of rules, the handbook rules and the prison rules. The low security is a much safer environment because everyone that has been in prison has the goal of eventually being transferred there and eventually the camp. Restrictions are lighter, there are more freedoms. With that said it is still prison, everything is a hustle and you should not trust anyone, about anything. You are on your own and stupid things can lead to fights so the best rule is to mind your own business. People will approach you quickly upon arrival to ask if you need anything, these are typically the guys who run stores (prison stores are ran by an inmate, who buys stuff in mass and then sales it to other inmates on credit, charging anywhere from 20% to 100% fee. You usually pay the store man back by purchasing a list of commissary items, books of stamps, etc.)  Just wait until you can buy your own stuff, they usually charge double and it is not smart to get into debt with anyone at any time. 

You of course will develop friendships, but they are still rooted in the hustle. It is easy over time to trust people but you really need to be wise. People you are 100% sure you can trust, will spend years building that trust in the hopes of using you in the future, likely upon release because they will know your background. A financial crime will make you a target for hustlers, because they know you have money or friends that do. With that said, having money will also give you the ability to live better than most inside; because you can afford the commissary you want, better food, bigger portions, paying people to do your laundry and more. You will be surprised about the creativity of cooking in prison. Guys can make full cheesecakes that taste close to the real thing, off of just items from the commissary. I am going to list my random thoughts and recommendations below. 

• It is important that your family, the day you arrive add money to your commissary account. Your information will be added to the Bureau of Prisons bop inmate locater (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/) where they can get your register number, which is your ID. They can then add money to your account through western union, which is immediate. After that, they can add it easily through the BOP by mailing a check, but that turnaround time is weeks. Western Union will ensure you get money within a day. You should try to have at least $600 in your account initially, because you will want to buy decent tennis shoes, t shirts, sweat pants, underwear, socks, toiletries, food, etc. Do not forget to buy a lock. Everything provided to you will be dirty, not fit properly and it is important you try to be as comfortable as possible. 
• Immediately upon arrival get the visitor permission slip, so you can add your family and friends to your visit list, so they can visit you as soon as possible. That will take a few weeks to get approved so do it as close to day 1 as possible. Visits are spectacular and will make you really feel good – and give you multiple hours of time with people that care about you. Do not forget this is equally hard for your loved ones, so be sure to spend time talking to them, asking them questions etc. They go through a lot having to visit, with searches etc so be thankful and understanding if there are days they are not up for it. If they are not up for visiting you all the times you want, remember that they are handling all of the day to day life outside of the walls, worrying about you, likely scared for you etc. There is a lot of trauma for your family that you are not aware of. 
• Your phone time is limited to 300 minutes a month (might vary). It equates to about 10 minutes a day. Manage that time wisely – the phones will be super busy the first few days of the month so warn your family ahead of time. Make sure your family knows it will not be uncommon they don’t hear from you for days at a time due to lockdowns, etc. They charge about 3 dollars a call so you are aware. There are ways around that by using google voice numbers that have a local area code – which takes the price per call down to about .90 cents. There are also several services that offer local numbers which reduce the price of phones calls down significantly. Google is the best option though because it is free for your family to set up. 
• People will ask about your crime and want to see your paperwork. It is important you are upfront and quick to answer that your crime was a financial crime. I also recommend having your lawyer fedex your Court papers to you showing your plea deal which also shows your crime. People want to be sure you are not a sex offender or an informant (rat), meaning testifying against others. I also suggest the criminal lawyer prints off one of the articles about your sentencing from one of the online news sources, and mails that to you as well. It is important that they mark the folder “Legal Mail – Special Mail. Open Only in front of the inmate”. This will ensure you get it. People likely will have already researched you but this is good to have long term just in case. You need this also if you plan on filing an appeal.
• You should also ask people what they are in for as well (their crime) because you do not want to hang out with known sex offenders or rats – because you will then be associated with that. Prison is like high school and our judicial system – lots of gossip and lies – and half-truths. You want to be wise about who you associate with – if drama seems to always follow them you will quickly be involved in things that can only make your time in prison worse.
• Read the handbooks they give you front to back and keep it. It is important to know the rules. This will let you learn the things that will keep you out of trouble with the guards. The inmate rules you will quickly learn through observance. 
• I suggest spending a lot of time in the law library. You will be a natural fit their because of your education and start studying appeals, compassionate release, etc. This can be useful for you getting out early but also provide a value to others which can be beneficial to you long term. You never know when you might find a loophole or another case that might help you get a sentence reduction. There are several factors to review; I suggest looking in the appeals court in your district, for similar crimes. You need hobbies to keep busy, the law library and specifically researching/learning will keep your mind moving and give you some purpose inside.
• I suggest having your family, the minute they get your register number (prison ID ) order you a few books including the Bible. I highly suggest starting from Genesis and reading it through, and doing it over and over. You will never have the opportunity to get right with God more than you will in these next few years. It was the best investment I ever made, no pun intended. I would make a list of books and that way you can have them sent to you every few days. You will have time to read and it is good to have some handy in case of lockdown. I know you grew up Christian and try to learn to depend on God, pray, read the Bible. 
• In the low security you have a lot more freedom which also makes the environment feel more relaxed which in turn gives you the feeling that you can get away with more things. As an example, a cellphone is extremely common in prison. People will rent them out or sell them to you – but it is important to not take the temptation. When the cell phone is found, and it will be eventually -  the prison will electronically pull (from phone and subpoena phone company) all of the phone numbers called. If any of those phone numbers are linked to your approved list (wife, kids, friends etc) then you will be sent to a higher level facility, likely the medium prison after spending months in solitary confinement. They would also take away some of your good time which is 15%. The difference between a medium and low is significant – not worth the risk by any measure.  It is a whole different ballgame and worth avoiding. 
• Never change the channel on any TV. The TV’s will be owned by races usually. Everyone has their unofficial assigned seating. You will be given a chair by an inmate that is yours. If you end up sitting in someone else’s spot, they likely will ask you to move quickly. Just tell them no problem and don’t sit there again. If others are around I would ask ahead of time if anyone sits in that specific spot. To clarify, when I say spot I do mean the actual location where you put your chair. Changing the channel leads to fights, so what is on tv is what you will be watching. You will get in with a group but just be cautious and lay low until you understand all that is going on. The things that matter in prison are much different than outside the walls. Small things in the free world can lead to major issues in prison. Respect is huge!
• People will ask you for financial advice, etc. Give it; establish yourself as an expert to anyone that asks. This just adds value to yourself and something random to talk about. Of course be cautious and smart. 
• Not knowing you, so if this does not apply then ignore. It is common for people fresh off the street with financial crimes to act like they are more valuable than others and express how unjust your punishment is or unfair. You are the weak link in prison and they know it, so be respectful at all junctures and any ego you have, especially initially just leave it at the door. You will quickly learn how corrupt the system is and likely leave prison with a much better understanding of how the real world actually is. I learned more than I realize – I still notice things often.
• Take notes, as much as you can. Your experiences, the stupidities of prison, habits you develop, etc.  You will block lots of it out overtime but it is good to have upon release. It is good to remember the good and the bad – and hopefully you can use your experience to help others long term and help others realize details about your experience. Also, looking back at your notes sometimes is a good reminder of how bad it was – compared to whatever situation you are in upon release. 
• The food will be horrible – it is worse in county but very bad all around. Hopefully it will not be, and certain days are much better than others. Tuesday and Thursday are good chicken days for lunch (tenders on Tuesday, quarter chicken baked on Thursday), Wednesday is usually hamburgers which are hit and miss depending on the meat they have.  Those are usually the three best meals of the week. Some of the breakfast meals are good – the most popular is cinnamon rolls on Friday. 
• The prison guards will be disrespectful to you, treat you badly and antagonize you. Do not react to them, make snide comebacks or anything like that. Stay off their radar whenever it is at all possible. Also, unless they talk to you do not talk to them or have long conversations with them. Other inmates will notice quickly and you will be pegged as a potential rat. The guards are not your friends, no matter how nice they seem. With that said, they are not all bad and some will actually try to be fair which is all you can ask for. 
• You will meet several interesting people.  Remember to take some notes because it will lead to good stories years from now and experiences you really will not want to forget. 
• Get a routine as quickly as possible. Every day is the same in prison and the sooner you get on a set routine the faster the days will go by. The first 2 weeks will feel like forever, it really will go by much faster than you expect if your do not dwell in the past and spend time focusing on the future. You can make a significant impact when you get released on others if you use your time wisely.  Start thinking about your future now and write down ideas because you will have several – if you do not write them down you will not remember them all.
• When it is chow time, just follow the pack. In Fed’s it is called mainline. 
• Keep your prison id with you always, it is a habit that is easy to form and not worth the headache of not having it with you. Most guards will give you issues if you are not carrying it. It is a simple rule to follow and not worth the potential headache it can cause if you do not have it. Also, you have to have it with you to eat, etc. 
• Do not stay in bed all day, you usually cannot but wake up early, get a cup of coffee and watch the news. You likely will have to work a few weeks after you arrive. Find out what jobs are the best and try to get into that first. Go to the library and ask the guard how to apply for teaching jobs, because of your education level they may let you. 
• Shower every single day. Showers are not like the movies at most lows, there will not be open showers with 20 dudes in there. Think of showering at the gym, same layout. Also, buy shower shoes the first day; do not go in the showers bare foot. You will be showering in your sandals the entire time in prison. Not wearing shower shoes will get you some of the most funky infections you can imagine. It is a whole different level of gross. 
• I am not sure where you are at in your Christian journey, but I suggest really digging deep into the bible. I mentioned this already once but really feel it is important to mention again. You can use this time to better yourself. Romans 8:28 is such a powerful verse to know in your head, because something good will come from this if you let it.
• You also get an email system inside, where you can email people. They will have to login to a system to check emails from you, but it is a good way for almost instant contact. When you email them it will take 1.5 hours for them to get it, same when they email you. Anyone that you want to email you will have to add to your system, so create a list now and have your family mail it to you the day you enter. You will not be able to bring anything in with you, even if someone is telling you now that you can. 
• Have your family sign you up for magazine subscriptions, a few newspapers etc. I mentioned earlier but you will really enjoy reading when you are inside. 
• Keep your head up and never look vulnerable. Even though it is a low you have to be aware at all times. Do not talk politics or any hot points. One person feeling strong about something is never a good place to be in when you are on the other end. This goes back to minding your own business and keeping your opinions to yourself. 
• Do not forget that all calls and emails or very closely monitored. Your only confidential communication is with a lawyer or when your family visits face to face but even then expect it might be recorded. Also, if you call your lawyer on a recorded line it will be recorded. You can request a legal call in writing or your lawyer can contact the prison for the same. 
• Exercise daily if you are able. It is a good way to split up the day and good for you physically and mentally. 
• Fights happen away from cameras most of the time, usually in cells or dead zones. If they happen do not try to break it up, stop it, yell to tell them to stop or tell a guard. Do not intervene. Hard to do sometimes but it is not your business so you have to stay out of it, or it will quickly become your business. 
• Also, fights happen for the dumbest reason, usually just random things so just mind your own business and you will be fine. It is important though to not appear scared, it is a fine line. People have to know you are willing to fight if you have to which you can portray through your body language. If you make fun of someone, joke and they take it wrong or embarrass someone their only option is for you to say sorry and you did not mean it, and hope they accept that or they will fight. I doubt you will face anything like that but just so you are aware. If it comes to fighting go to your cell or their cell, with the hopes of not getting written up or caught. It is rare but if you keep your mouth shut and they do the same it is much more difficult to prove. But prison is full of gossip and people that love to tell the guards for whatever reasons they have. 
• There is tons of betting and gambling inside - do not get involved even if you enjoy it. If you win big and someone refuses to pay and you don’t react forcefully, you will be a target your entire time in there for not backing up yourself. If you lose big, same stuff. I have seen betting on everything from dominoes, sports to the kid’s board game of sorry. 
• If you have any medical issues, have your family also mail your medical records to you once you go inside. Sending to the prison it will get lost or take months. If you need medications, best to have your own paperwork to prove it if possible. And expect little to no help with medical issues. 
• You will be baffled by how inefficient the system is, how patient you have to be and how everything takes forever. The guards and staff will not care (again, for the most part) – do not become a burden to them because if you make them do extra work they will make your life more difficult.
• Whatever you wear when you turn yourself in will just be tossed or shipped back to your family. I suggest wearing old stuff you won’t need so they can just throw it away and so your family does not have to relive that memory. Do not wear a watch. I would recommend buying a cheap band for a wedding ring (if you are married) instead of wearing your ring if it has value.   

I know this feels and is scary. There is no easy way around - it is going to suck. Do not trust inmates and never trust the guards, several are worse than most inmates. You will get through this and as with everything you can turn this negative into a positive. The hardest part is being away from family and the impact it will have on them – so make it a point to send a sweet “love you” card once a month. I also suggest not just emailing your family, but also writing handwritten letters and tell them what is going on inside so they can better understand and not be as worried. (In your letters never say you saw someone fight or do something wrong etc, because they are monitored). If you have children write them fun memories and times for the future. I will personally be praying for you.  You will get through this and I pray you spend the time focusing on bettering yourself, (re) developing a strong relationship with Christ and focusing on the future. 

There will be several times that it feels hopeless and that there will be no real life after prison. It is important you realize that you have a future and importantly you can thrive upon release!

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David Phillips spent nearly 4 years in Federal Prison. Prior to his incarceration David founded and operated a digital marketing firm in Los Angeles, CA that handled marketing for hundreds of plastic surgeons worldwide. David’s testimony is unique and well worth a 12 minute listen! You can find that on 12 minute video on YouTube here: David Phillips Testimony. 

If you have a loved one currently in Prison that needs we encourage them to apply to be a part of Brand 316. You can fill out the information for them on our website. Send Brand 316 Application to a loved one.

Lastly, if you want to learn more about Brand 316, we have ample information on our website. We encourage you to learn more about Brand 316, a Christian Prison Ministry.