How to Survive Supermax Prison: Rules, Politics, and Daily Life

Arrival and Segregation

• 🚨 Upon arrival, inmates are placed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU), a segregated section for disciplinary or safety concerns.
• 🍲 Expect the worst food imaginable, including bland slop or the infamous "nutraloaf," designed to meet nutritional needs but taste unpleasant.
• 🤫 Communication is limited to occasional showers and "kites" (messages passed via vents or strings), which are vital but dangerous to handle.

Prison Politics and Social Structure

• 👥 Prison politics are paramount, with gangs wielding significant influence and coordinating activities even during lockdowns.
• 🤝 Shotcallers, the leaders of racial groups, maintain order, and cooperation with them is often necessary for prison stability.
• ⚠️ Race relations dictate seating at chow and interactions, with strict unspoken rules to avoid conflict.
• 🤫 "No snitching" is the cardinal rule; revealing information to guards is a death sentence, while personal grievances should be handled internally or through shotcallers.

Daily Life and Cell Environment

• 🏠 Cells are small, often overcrowded, and require strict adherence to cleanliness to avoid issues with pests and corrections from other inmates.
• 👑 An "OG" (Original Gangster) hierarchy exists within cells, with the established inmate holding seniority and the bottom bunk.
• 🛠️ Improvised tools like "stingers" are used to boil water for cooking, highlighting the multi-purpose nature of cell items.
• 🚽 Proper use of the toilet and sink is crucial, with awareness of potential water shut-offs during inspections to prevent flushing contraband.

Navigating Prison Dangers

• 🚿 Showers are dangerous areas where fights can occur due to limited surveillance; always have a lookout and wear shower shoes.
• 🍽️ Chow time requires sitting with your own racial group, as mixing is generally not allowed and can lead to conflict.
• 💥 Violence is common and has rules; refusing a fight or quitting mid-fight results in loss of respect and becoming a target.
• 📦 "Suitcasing", hiding contraband in the rectum, is a common method to evade searches during movement within the prison.

Yard Time and Evening Routine

• 🚧 Yard time is segregated by race, with strict rules about staying within designated territories to avoid confrontation.
• 🏃‍♂️ Maintaining physical fitness is expected, as being out of shape makes an inmate a liability to their group.
• 🤫 Contraband is often buried in the dirt, making it dangerous to lie down in these areas, especially during cleanup periods when fights and stabbings can occur.
• 📞 Phone calls are limited to 15-minute chunks and require strict etiquette; misuse can lead to severe consequences.