Prison Survival Tips: What You Need To Know Before You Go

Antwaun Johnson has been in and out of prisons for decades but he’ll never forget how he felt when he first arrived: lost, confused, angry. It took him a while to assimilate—and he made a lot of mistakes—so now he wants to help others by offering the prison survival tips he wishes he’d had.

#1 Avoid Drugs!

Drugs are by far the biggest problem in prison. Period. I’ve seen and have witnessed firsthand that most of the inmates who come into the penal system fall victim to the woes of drug use. Allow me to break this down so it’s understood in such a manner that nothing is left to be misunderstood.

Drugs are an escape, both mentally and emotionally. It doesn’t matter whether someone is dealing with a long prison sentence or a death in family or losing a girlfriend or just living in a depression mode not knowing how to cope. Meth, weed, K2-sprayed paper, heroin or powder cocaine—it’s all a quick escape, aiding in survival in prison.

So when someone comes into the system and smells weed in his unit or he overhears others talk about K2 paper or he is approached asking if he wants to buy some, he’s risking his life if he does. Whatever drug he’s interested in, it could be fatal. There’s no way of knowing if any of these drugs have been cut or altered or laced with fent.

If that person has access to easy money and has the ability to get on the phone to call a loved one to do a Cash App then it’s going to be a long drive down a road he will eventually wish he’d never started. I’ve seen drugs consume people to the point they lie, steal or manipulate anything and anyone to get high. There are no morals, no principals, nothing—just like a crackhead on the street. Their time consists of waking up everyday then trying to get high. It’s not hard to understand. A 24-year-old who arrives in prison with a life sentence—what does he have to lose to do drugs?

Being young, you’re naive, not knowing all the manipulative ways and methods seasoned inmates use to keep the naive person hooked or to keep them spending money. Whether someone resorts to drugs when they arrive pretty much depends on the person and their will and discipline.

Get this: In my experience, if you take 10 inmates—no matter the age, race, whether they’re NEWLY incarcerated or repeat offenders—eight out of the 10 get high!

Allow me to explain: There are levels to drug use. I’m 48 years old. DO I DRINK? 100%. DO I SMOKE CIGARETTES?? 100%. I LOVE TO DRINK AND SMOKE A NEWPORT—but that’s it!!! I don’t smoke weed. I’ve never did meth, coke, or dope. I’ve never popped a pill. I’m just not into that and never have been. I haven’t even smoked weed since I was 14 /15 yrs old.

But I don’t judge, cause me drinking prison hooch doesn’t make me any better than the guy next to me who may sniff a little meth in his nose, or the next man who may take a little piece of a suboxone strip. It’s all considered contraband in prison. That said, understand there is a difference though, in my eyes. Those who choose to do hard drugs go down into a rabbit hole which leads to serious addiction, and stealing, selling their belongings—clothes, TV—lying, using violence or trickery, etc.—all in the name of survival. Those traits are dangerous and only lead to bad things happening. Even my drinking could lead to something serious beyond my control if I overdo it. But bottom line, drugs in prison pretty much control the majority of infrastructure in every shape and form.

#2 Beware the Gang Culture Inside Prison

Gangs control 80% of every aspect in Virginia prisons (and probably everywhere else) and I feel this is the second most dangerous thang a newly incarcerated inmate can fall into.

Gangs are responsible for 90% of all violence in prison. They’re much of the reason there are fights, stabbings, staff assaults, rival gang beefs, fighting over phone kiosk machines, property canteen, food, drugs, gangs trying to protect other members or gangs trying to control the narrative or or alpha male conflict. It reaches beyond the imagination.

And if someone likes attention or sees the potential for power, then they will be enticed to join a gang, not fully knowing everything that comes along with trying to uphold that lifestyle. Young guys who are weak or timid fall victim to joining gangs because they have never had friends growing up or any type of camaraderie. They’ve never had someone in their lives they could count on so the thought of having a group of loyal ma’fuckas willing to sacrifice their well-being for you is something most young men can’t resist. The allure of power or being a part of something is all they ever wanted and that’s mostly why they gravitate toward the gang life.

Those are the top two things to avoid in prison—whether you’re newly incarcerated or have been there a while. Those are Antwaun’s tips for prison survival.