Nobody wants to end up behind bars. But the fact is, it’s a reality for millions of Americans each year. Some ten million arrests are made across the country per year, and many of those people spend time behind bars.
How much time you’ll spend in jail depends on a number of factors. In some cases, it might only be a few hours, especially if you work with someone who can post your bail. But there are some scenarios that will result in spending much longer in jail. For instance, if the local judge decides that you should not be granted bail.
At that point, the experience becomes all about trying to survive in jail as a first-time offender. Spending months in jail might sound daunting, but with a little know-how, you can ensure that the time runs as smoothly as possible. In this post, we’ll run through everything you need to know, including effective coping strategies, how to build a support network, and some handy tips.
Navigating jail life: A first-timer’s guide
It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first or fifth time in jail: it will always be a harrowing experience. But it’s extra difficult when it’s your first time behind bars. At that point, the fear comes not just from being away from your loved ones, but, at the same time, trying to figure out how to survive in what is a typically grim and daunting environment.
If you have the option, it’s best to post bail. Financing bail is an option if you don’t have the cash to hand — as many arrestees do not — to post the full bail amount yourself. You’ll have to attend court in the future and may end up going to prison if you’re convicted of a crime, but posting bail will allow you to leave jail and return home until your court appearance. And that really is invaluable.
The bottom line? Don’t assume you’ll have to spend weeks or months behind bars. The bail system exists for a reason, and while bail values can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, there are bail bond loans you can use that can provide the money you need to gain your freedom.
For the rest of this article, we’ll assume that you’ve been denied bail and have to wait behind bars until your court appearance. Much of the advice we provide will also be relevant for individuals who are sentenced to prison, too.
Coping strategies for surviving jail as a first-time offender
As we said earlier, it’s never easy to be behind bars — but first-time offenders find it especially difficult. It can be disconcerting to find yourself taken out of your usual routine and flung into an environment that has no home comforts.
The faster you adapt to your new surroundings, the easier it’ll be. In the first few days, it’s recommended to do what you can to look after yourself, including eating meals, drinking plenty of water, and getting exercise. This will help to prevent a negative spiral that will make things much more difficult.
It’s also recommended to maintain perspective. You might be behind bars right now, but it’s unlikely to be forever. Remembering that you have some say in your future will make it easier to adopt positive practices.
Building a support network behind bars: Tips for first-time inmates
It’s a lot easier to navigate jail life — in fact, a lot easier to do anything — when you have a support network around you. Alas, finding friends behind bars can be a challenge. In some cases, it’s best to actively avoid other inmates who are trying to befriend you, since they may not have your best interests at heart.
That’s not to say that everyone who expresses an interest in you is doing so for nefarious reasons. We’re just saying that it’s risky to automatically assume that everyone is being genuine.
You can absolutely make friends in jail. In fact, most prisoners will be fine. It’s just a few bad eggs that you need to watch out for. Here are a few handy tips that’ll help you to slowly but surely make connections:
Be Relaxed
Being a good person — without going overboard — is an effective way to build your circle. Ensure that other inmates feel comfortable around you. The best way to do this is to just act like a minor character, one who’s not too intense or too withdrawn.
Be Respectful and Interested
Calling people by their first names, rather than their last names, shows respect. Taking an interest in their lives, the books they’re reading, or other elements is a tried and tested way to develop a respectful connection. However, remember that it’s taboo to ask why someone is behind bars. If they don’t tell, don’t ask.
Be Ego Free
Jail is no place to have an ego. You might be more successful than other inmates in the real world, but that means nothing now that you’re behind bars. Treat everyone as an equal.
Maintaining mental and emotional well-being in jail: First-timer’s edition
It doesn’t matter how strong of a person you normally are: when you find yourself behind bars for the first time, it’s inevitable that your mental and emotional well-being will take a hit. After all, virtually every aspect of normalcy will have (temporarily) left your life.
Jail is unlikely to ever be “easy,” but there are things you can do that’ll help to prevent you from spiraling. Some of the most effective methods include:
Remember: This Doesn’t Define You
Everyone makes mistakes. If you end up in jail, then you’ve probably made the biggest mistake of your life — and that thought can weigh heavily on your mind. While it might be difficult, try to remember that this mistake doesn’t define you. There are other, more positive aspects of your personality, too.
Practice Good Habits
It can be a challenge to be mentally and emotionally well regardless of where you are, be it at home or in jail. But it’s more difficult when you’re behind bars and don’t have access to the tools and resources you need to be the best version of yourself.
In jail, it’s best to simply do what you can. Many good habits require no equipment and minimal space. For instance, engaging in meditation, yoga, and calisthenics would all be feasible while behind bars. Make a habit of practicing these good habits, and you’ll be gently nudging your mental well-being in the right direction.
Do What You Can
It’s normal to feel a little powerless when you’re behind bars. However, while you won’t be able to do everything, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything. Life behind bars is difficult, in part, because there’s so little to do — for vast chunks of the day, you’ll be sitting there by yourself. This can be a curse or a blessing, depending on how you look at it. For instance, could you use the time to improve yourself in some way, say, by studying for a course? You could also use the time to prepare for your court appearance or to reflect on the things that put you behind bars in the first place.
First-time offender survival toolkit: Essential tips for jail life
People slowly figure out how to exist behind bars. But during that time, they can often make mistakes that make their experience more difficult. Below, we’ll run through some handy tips that’ll help prevent you from making some errors that you’ll have to correct later down the line.
Be Alert
Things aren’t always what they seem in jail. You might be approached by someone who presents themselves as a well-intentioned samaritan, but that doesn’t mean that’s who they really are. While it’s not always possible to prevent those negative characters from inserting themselves into your life behind bars, there are a few steps you can take that will minimize the risk.
It’s best to listen to your senses. If your intuition is telling you to be wary, then listen to it. You’ll lose nothing from politely declining a friendship, even if they do turn out to be one of the good ones. It’s not worth the risk.
Standing Tall
No one’s saying that you should be overly assertive in jail. In fact, that’s a tried and tested way to get yourself into trouble. However, it’s just as important not to present yourself as an easy target. Standing tall and walking with confidence — but not arrogance — will help you to blend in behind bars.
There may be times when you have to stand up for yourself, and you should. It’s all about quietly showing that you have character and courage.
Remember: The Guards Are Not Your Friends
You’ll interact with guards when you’re behind bars. However, keep in mind that they’re not your friend, and they’re also not your equal. They’re in a position of authority, and it’s wise to remember that. There are friendly guards and not-so-friendly guards, and it’s not always possible to tell which is which. You can speak to them, sure, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that they’re on your side — they won’t be.
Keep Your Head Down
There’s a lot of noise in jails. The best path is to block out everything else that’s going on as best you can, and focus on yourself. It’s recommended to make connections while you’re behind bars (if it’s possible, that is), but they shouldn’t become your lifeline. Those friendships are just connections that’ll make your time in jail more bearable. If it gets to the point where another inmate asks you to do something for them, say no. It could open up a world of trouble that makes your legal troubles all the more difficult to untangle.
Overcoming challenges: First-time inmate strategies for success
Finding yourself in jail for the first time often presents unique challenges that you’ve not experienced before. Even if you feel that you’re prepared for it, things will get tough once the jail door is locked and reality sets in. Some useful strategies for managing your time behind bars include:
Focus On Where You Are
Yes, you’d like to be in the outside world, spending time with your friends and family and otherwise doing all the other things you normally enjoy doing. But that’s not a reality right now. You’ll find jail much easier to bear if you’re not torturing yourself by dreaming of the outside world.
There will come a day when you’re free to rejoin society, but that is not today. Focus on the present, not on where you’d like to be.
Stay Connected to Friends and Family
You’ll be physically cut off from your friends and family, but that doesn’t mean that you must sever the connection entirely. Depending on the jail’s rules, you may be allowed to make regular phone calls to your loved ones. Use the opportunity! You’ll find that speaking with comforting voices helps to take your mind off your current situation.
Use The Time
Spending time behind bars isn’t all bad. It presents a great opportunity to read, study, and all-around improve yourself. You’ll need to be in jail for a set amount of time anyway, so you may as well use the time wisely.
Be Respectful
Finally, be respectful. We mentioned above that the guards aren’t your friends, but they’re unlikely to be your enemy. Additionally, the other inmates you meet will be unlikely to wish you harm, either. Having a respectful and polite tone will help to make your time in jail more civil.
Final Thoughts
You can’t undo the actions that led you to be arrested and put behind bars. Your experience will depend on how you respond. If you have the option, then look at posting bail; it’ll have you out of jail in a matter of hours. If you must stay behind bars until your court appearance, then take the steps we’ve outlined above. With the right mindset and approach, you can ensure your jail experience runs as smoothly as possible.
