What you need to understand and accept prior to entering any institution is that prison life is nothing like you are used to on the outside. You will find that staying strong mentally, while keeping a level head and making sure your temper is kept in check will serve you well while incarcerated. You will need to learn the value in “Doing Your Own Time” by staying out of other inmates’ business and their negative activities. You will find many days and situations extremely frustrating, and your temper levels will run high. Correctional Officers will not tolerate such behavior regardless as to whether it is directed at them or another inmate. You could possibly face an institutional charge, which will go on record showing your history of poor behavior while incarcerated. This record can be used against you when it comes time for any of your parole hearings. Whistling during your time in incarceration is frowned upon.
It will be to your advantage to always maintain a good rapport with all ‘Correctional Officers” “C.O.’s”, especially in your initial Provincial institution, also known as the “Bucket”. They will be your regular and only method for getting all your written requests delivered to the appropriate department. Like the outside world not all “C.O.’s” view their jobs in the same light or for that matter necessarily like their job or want to help the inmates in any way. What I would suggest is treat it the same way as how you would pick individuals that you want to associate with on the outside, mainly due to their personalities and the way they treat you. Do the same while incarcerated. Choose to communicate with those “C.O.’s” that you feel are trying to be helpful when you are requesting anything.
Departments that written requests can be sent to include: Unit Managers, Mail and Personal Property Managers, Trust Account Managers, as well as Nurse and Doctors’ Offices. When you move on to your “Assessment Institution” or your “Mother” institution, the Programs Department and Education Department will be added. Responses from any of these departments may or may not happen after the first request and you may find yourself sending off several requests before a response is generated. So remain calm.
B. Martin
Maplehurst & Workworth
