Respect in Prison: How New Inmates Are Received

When a new inmate enters prison, they immediately join a community with its own set of unwritten rules. One of the most crucial of these rules is respect. For those who do not value this respect, the consequences can be severe. This article explores what happens to a new inmate who behaves rudely, disrespectfully, and snobbishly, refusing to show respect to others.

Respect as the Core of Prison Culture

Inmates are acutely aware of the importance of respect. Being respectful is a matter of survival and social standing. Inmates often refer to the atmosphere within the prison as one where respect is given, and it is expected in return. The concept of respect is so ingrained that interactions within the prison often resemble those in the outside world, but with more emphasis on treating others with dignity and consideration.

The idea of respect is so deeply rooted that it has even influenced the way many inmates view their personal relationships. For instance, my husband, who has spent a significant portion of his life in state custody, has adapted this mindset. In his case, 'obey' was replaced with 'respect,' emphasizing the importance of valuing oneself and others. This respect-based culture extends to new inmates as well, making it clear that in order to survive and thrive in prison, showing respect is essential.

Just like in the free world, prison is full of all sorts of people. You'll find the backwards/shy people, the popular clique with all the friends, the jocks, the geeks, the brains, and of course, the stuck-up, snobby, narcissistic people too. Every single one of my six penpals that I write to repeatedly mention someone they call 'entitled Karen' in their wing/pod. They all try to avoid such individuals as much as possible.

The Entitled Karen: Bringing Inmate Uniqueness to Light

There are instances where a new inmate may come across as 'entitled Karen' - someone who behaves with an attitude of entitlement, rudeness, and disrespect. These individuals often believe they are better than everyone else and have a sense of superiority. While they may seem invincible at first, their attitude quickly turns against them.

Drama and Isolation: When the drama begins, most inmates simply ignore the entitled individual. Prison life is already tough, and no one wants to deal with the extra drama brought on by someone who is self-centered and thinks they are above everyone else. Over time, the entitled inmate will find themselves isolated and excluded from the social fabric of the prison community.

Democratic Nature of Prison Rules: Many within the prison community understand that no one is above the rules. They recognize the value of unity and support within the inmate community. This collective strength deters individuals from attempting to dominate or assert superiority. Ganging up on an entitled inmate is common, as there is a sense of fairness and the knowledge that everyone is equal under the rules.

A lot of people act like that. But they are usually quickly put in place because there are always strength in numbers and no one is bigger than the car. Most likely this person you are referring to would think they could go at it alone. But that would be a very rough stay and definitely wouldn't last long. They would have a hard time anywhere they went. And if it was in the FEDS when they transferred yards, people would already know on that yard. Most likely the person would have to be housed in the SHU, which is the hole. It's 23 hours a day lockdown with restrictions, no fun at all.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and practicing respect is crucial for new inmates, especially when transitioning into a life in prison. Failing to recognize and adhere to this key aspect of inmate culture can lead to isolation, conflict, and a difficult time within the prison community. The harsh realities of prison life, as seen through the behavior of entitled individuals, underscore the importance of mutual respect and cooperation within the prison.