What is prison life like?
Convicted criminals are sent to prison as punishment. They lose all of their freedom and have to follow very strict rules of conduct and order. They do retain some rights as granted by our state and federal constitutions. Prison is like a city within a city. There is a mayor (the superintendent), police (security staff), a jail (disciplinary segregation unit), laws (administrative rules), judges (hearings officers), a store (the canteen), houses (inmate slang for cells), medical care (infirmary), library (law, education and lending), civic organizations (clubs), worship (chapel), a park (the recreation yard), a cafeteria, and of course employment in various jobs throughout the institutions. There is no privacy in prison, meaning that inmates dress, shower, and use the bathroom in the company of other inmates. Inmates are required to make their bunks and keep their personal possessions neat and tidy. All inmates wear identical clothing. Most possessions allowed must be purchased from th
