“My uncle spent over a decade in prison.
You couldnt tap him on his shoulder or approach him from behind.
He would turn to you quickly and already have a fist.”
Here are some of their most fascinating responses:
1.
“The dorm pod I was in had metal stairs that made loud noises when you walked down them.
To this day, I can’t fall asleep without peeing immediately before lying down.”
u/StubisMcGee
2.
“When my dad came home from prison, I remember him being very polite.
If you don’t, you are liable to get an ass whooping.
Also, you never approach someone from behind.
That’s another good way to get your ass beat.”
u/Ok-Run3329
3.
“My bedroom is basically set up like my old cell.
In my bedroom, I have everything at arm’s length.
I sit with my back to the wall when I’m out.
I still pace back and forth in small spaces.”
He said it helps him feel sane and in control.
I get it, though, and chill with him.
He has a six-bedroom house that he shares with his wife.
The shed is just a separate place for him."
u/SoulFinders
4.
“In jail, I learned the very useful concept of ‘program.’
All of these activities are what make up your life as you know it your identity.
Responsibilities and obligations are what get most people out of bed every morning.
Now, take all of that away.
You now have tons of free time and nothing to fill it with.
“Program is how to fill that time in a responsible and productive way.
When COVID lockdowns began, I wasn’t worried at all because I knew how to program.”
u/SirKedyn
5.
“I did 12 years in a state institution.
The only really strange thing to me was answering the telephone.
First off, you don’t receive calls.
u/LHDC417
6.
So, to spite them, I slept on the floor the whole time.”
“It took a good job and a nice apartment for me to finally sleep on a bed.
I haven’t slept on the floor in a long time.”
u/traderboi123
7.“Hypervigilance.
I size up everyone everywhere I go, especially on public transport and in public spaces.”
u/shep_ling
“I had an uncle who was like this before he had passed away.
He was in his late 70s and spent over a decade in prison.
You couldnt tap him on his shoulder or approach him from behind.
He would turn to you quickly and already have a fist.
u/enztinkt
8.
“My husband still makes ‘jail snacks.’
He also turns meals into sandwiches because bread was cheap and filling.
Spaghetti between bread slices is an example.
He’s very quick to anger/react if he feels disrespected.”
“I also know people who hide items they feel are valuable.
u/chut2906
9.
“Being entertained doing absolutely nothing, like staring at a wall I just dont get bored anymore.”
Im honestly never bored.
Im not someone whos really ever been bored much to begin with.
I would spend hours thinking about everything and nothing and staring at the trees out my window.
Very healing actually.”
u/mosesthekitten41
10.
“Flushing before it hits the water on every drop to mitigate the smell everyone has to deal with.
“And general toilet cleanliness etiquette, so its nice for the next person.
I dont want to clean up your nastiness; you dont want to clean up mine.
Its a good way to get into it with someone for the dumbest reason.
Just leave it nice.”
u/GRAVITRON_748
“My brother had a hard time closing the door to poop.
He said it felt weird to poop alone.”
u/-roarnation
11.
“My boyfriend was in jail quite some time ago and still holds onto his habits.
u/twinkies_and_wine
12.
“I can play Spades a bit better now.”
u/HGMIV926
“Man, I got really good at Spades in there.
u/chaktahwilly
13.
“Also, I’m quite good at hiding things and observing people noticing what people are doing.”
u/throwawaysmetoo
14.
“Save every extra sugar packet I come across in case I get hungry between meals.”
u/cbauser
“I constantly question myself before I throw something out.
Just finished a bag of chips and I go to throw it out nope, have to think twice.
Can I use this empty bag for something?
u/piperonyl
15.
Eat it as fast as possible this way.
Don’t let someone have the chance to take your soup.”
u/hungry_hat
16.
“If I don’t have dice but need dice, I just get toilet paper and toothpaste.
17.“Flossing.
“I learned some new free body workouts that are decent.
In jail, they use these combination metal sink/toilets that work like push-button drinking fountains.
u/Nation0fThizzlam
19.
“My friend’s ex was in jail, and he apparently learned how to give really good massages.
u/Fluid-Imagination301
20.“Reading.
I read hundreds of books while away.”
“I haven’t even cracked one since I got out, but I do enjoy reading.”
“That’s where I figured out how to read for leisure.
Also, how to be meaner in pick-up basketball games.
But the reading habit is probably more useful.”
And finally…
21.
I once got into a verbal fight with a guy because I looked into his cell.
Kind of set the pace, and it changed my perspective.
Whatever is going on is none of my business.”
“Respect is another one.
They just don’t get it because there are rarely actual consequences for disrespect in your day-to-day life.
u/sanct1x
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
