Federal Prison Survival Guide (For newbies)
- thatbopguy
- Sep 21
- 8 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
This is articlec 1 of 8 in a multi-blog series on prison survival
Your first steps into federal prison can feel like stepping into a different world. Here’s what to know before you walk through those gates and how to survive it without getting stabbed up.
There’s no sugarcoating it, the first days of Your Federal prison sentence will hit hard. Whether you're the one walking in, or someone who loves them, the system moves fast and explains almost nothing.
✅️ Tip 1: Forget what you heard
Many people will talk about the Feds like they have been there, but that's just them trying to impress you. This blog is the 1st of a series of articles written by a inmate (me) who is moving everything in writing about.
Most people have only heard from someone who heard from someone. Forget whatever you heard, your experience will likely be very different. Don't expect anything just keep your eyes open and pay attention.
ℹ️ Read: Prison Lingo for New Inmates
So let’s break it down in real terms: What happens when you transfer from county jail. What’s commissary really like? What’s the unspoken code inside? And how do you keep yourself (or your loved one) physically and emotionally safe?
ℹ️ Read: First Step Act (FSA) Simplified
Transferring from County Jail to Federal Custody
Once you're sentenced it can take two weeks - two months before you are “designated”. So, the wait begins. Your family will check the Federal Bureau Of Prisons website to see if you show up on it. 90% of the time you won't… Then one day, usually without warning, you're told to pack up.
Is There Really A Con Air
Yes, con Air really does exist! It's a large commercial jet (think 747) that transports federal inmates across the country. It doesn't look anything like the one in the movie but it's real, and the U.S.Marshalls really do stand guard with Assault Rifles as hundreds of inmates get on and off in shackles.
✅️ Tip 2: Don't eat or drink while transporting
Why? You will be shackled around your waist, hands cuffed a shackled at your feet. These won't come off until you reach your final destination. If you need to use the bathroom at all it will be in a cramped toilet WITH NO DOOR and all in shackles with a officer watching you. Save yourself the trouble.
Here’s what to expect:
Chains and transport: You'll likely be moved in shackles, maybe on "Con Air" (the BOP’s prison transport flights) or in vans/buses. Expect long waits, multiple stops, and little info.
Property: Nothing from county jail will come with you. No legal documents, just the clothes on your back.
No phone, no contact: Communication may be cut for several days. Families often panic — not knowing where you are. It’s one of the hardest parts.
You could end up at you final destination but likely you WON'T. Most inmates end up at a "tranfer facility" somewhere in Oklahoma. Some of them are Green County Jail, Cimarron Correctional Facility, or Grady county Jail. They all are at the center of the country and a perfect place to ship inmates to they're final destination.
✅️ Tip 3: Be Patient - Don't get your hopes up
Nobody will know how long you will be in transit. At this point you're primary goal will be to get to your final designated facility but you can't know when that will be. So accept it, don't stress about things you can't control. It could be a couple days or a couple months.
When you finally arrive at your designated facility weeks or months later, you're “the new guy”. You'll be tired, disoriented, and about to enter a place with its own rules and rhythm.
✅️ Tip 4: Cashapp is king - have it ready
I highly suggest you don't put a lot of money on your books. Just do the minimum to get basics OR send someone a cashapp and get food ans hygiene items without having to wait. if you order commissary you could leave before it arrives.
Jails don't tell you but you have 30 days to pickup commissary after you leave or they keep it.
How Long Does It Take To Get To The Designated Prison
There's is no straight answer. On average it can take 3 weeks to 3 months to arrive and your prison. The Buresu Of Prisons (BOP) is very inefficient, is not uncommon to get sent across the country for weeks.
✅️ Tip 5: Don't trust ANYONE starting now
How Can I Find Out Where a Inmate Is Going
You know I'm movies when the Feds take over a crime scene like bullies and don't share information work local police? Yes that's reality for everyone. The only people who will know where your going is the U.S Marshall's and they won't tell you. But you can use our Federal Inmate Search Tool to get notified the minute they are added to the system.
Sometimes attorneys are able to find out after sentencing but most won't know how.
Walking In: What Day One Looks Like
The first 24 hours are about processing and placement.
A&O (Admissions and Orientation): You’ll be screened, issued clothes and bedroll, and placed in general population housing.
Choose a "Car" or "Check-in"
When you enter a low security facility or higher you will be asked "where you from?" or "what type of time are you on?". What they are really saying is tell us more about you, so we can welcomeyou or point you in the right direction. This is where you choose a "car" which is a group of people you will belong with.
✅️ Tip 6: Choose a car carefully - You can't switch later
They are responsible for giving you the lay of the land and giving you basic stuff like hygiene and maybe clothes if you're lucky. If you ever need ANYTHING you start here for at lasts the first month. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE YOUR CAR ASKING FOR HELP UNLESS YOU KNOW THE PERSON FROM THE STREETS.
ℹ️ Related: Four Inmates Injured in Prison Fight
The alternative to choosing a car is checking-in. This Means you have ac reason to be worried for your safety on in general population so your "checking into" protective custody. So people do this because they are have helped the police in their case or nervous they are a "chomo". Learn all the common prison slang before you go, it will help you big time.
✅️ Tip 7: Have your "paperwork" ready - It's mandatory
Before they send you to GP they will check you for tattoos, gang affiliations and take photos. You will be asked to sign a document saying that you haven't worked with any type of law enforcement and that you will not physically assault any sex offenders while in BOP custody.
✅️ Tip 8: Watch and listen 2x as much as you talk
From the jump, people will size you up. Your race and your demeanor. Everything you do, so you talk to wool be watched and analyzed. People will make assumptions and act on them. It’s not always said out loud, but the unspoken rules begin immediately.
Your experience will vary DRASTICALLY depending on if your going to a camp, low, medium or high security prison.
Prison Essentials - Get The Basics
The inside world runs on routine There is a nationwide count everyday at 4pm. You will lock down 45 min before. On weekends and holidays there is a 10am and 10pm count everyone locks down for also. These are also nationwide and you must stand for each count. Commissary is survival so make sure you get some.
Inmate Spending Limit
The most you can spend per month is $360. The maximum you can spend per week is $90. This is BOP wide and will not change. If you want to order more you will need to wait until the next month and your revalidation date. The 1st commissary order is the ONLY time you can go over your weekly spending limit.
Don't know what a "revalidation"date is? Get Answers to this and more MUST know tips in our Discord. It's Free.
Commissary
Expect to spend $200 - $1,000 your first month to get "comfortable". You can buy hygiene items, snacks, soups, and clothes. Without money, things get harder fast.
Commissary is also a social hub. People barter, trade soups for favors, and form quiet alliances here. Respect it. If you want to start a quick legit hustle sell you commissary for "stamps". This is the most universal hustle in the prison system anywhere. They are know as the "store man".
Store day
Once a week, you’ll order from a limited list. Get hygiene and soups! Tough van never go wrong with noodles tonsillitis your belt on budget.
Hygiene
You’ll be issued the bare minimum, but it's often poor quality. Commissary lets you upgrade.
Laundry
Yes, you wash your stuff — but “clean” is subjective. Many people buy soap to hand-wash their clothes in the shower or sink. Others take their clothes to Laundry to have them washed in big machines with dozens of other inmates.
✅️ Tip 9: Keep your head down and be respectful
What Are "Stamps" in Federal Prison
I thought it was a joke when I first heard it.. Using stamps as currency, literally like paper money. But behind all and electric barbed wire fences; in every single one of the 122 Federal Prisons all 155,000 plus inmates recognize stamps as real money.
There is an entire economy of commodities, workers, consumers, drugs all of which have supply and demand. They're is also a black market. In order for everything to work there needs to be a way to trade value. This is a simple book of postal stamps that are just 20 individual postal stamps. Never buy these off commissary. You will be able to send somone a cashapp and they will give them to you.
A book of stamps cost $5 when you buy them of the "land" but this value varies depending on the prison. If you buy them off commissary they cost $14. Do you see how you loose money? They are only worth $5 to inmates.
If you're on the outside wondering how to help, read our full guide on the 7 BEST Ways to Support Someone in Prison.
Lingo and Unspoken Rules
Welcome to the real Fed Dictionary. Here's just a taste:
Shot: A disciplinary write-up
Chow: The cafeteria and mealtimes
The SHU: Segregated housing (solitary)
Gump: Someone with a sex offense
Car: Your racial or regional group — often your social circle and fallback.
Get Answers to Over 100 Questions Our Free Discord Community
🚨 Respect the culture, even if you don’t agree with it.
Disrespect, snitching, or violating someone’s space can get you labeled fast — and that label sticks.
✅️ Tip 10: Get yourself some stamps ASAP
Safety Tips for New Inmates
You don’t need to be scared, but you do need to be smart. Here’s what every new person should know:
Don’t get in debt: Never borrow what you can’t repay. That includes soups, stamps, and favors.
Watch your paperwork: If your charges are questionable, people will find out is nothing to get you googled.
Stay busy: Idleness is dangerous. Take a job, go to the yard, read, or program.
Avoid gossip: Even if you’re just listening, it can come back on you.
Stay clean: Physically and otherwise. Drugs, gambling, and drama bring problems.
And for the families? Support helps more than you know. A simple message, a photo, or a few dollars can make the difference between sinking and surviving.
If you’re still learning how to support from the outside get REAL tips and advice from people with loved ones locked up.
Real Talk for Families and First-Timers
The truth is, the system rarely gives you clear answers. You’ll have to fight for updates, deal with fear, and learn as you go. The BOP is a clunky, rusty ass outdated machine. It's fast from running smoothly or even consistently.
But you don’t have to do it alone.
👉 We've broken down topics like
all in plain easy to understand Discussions. Get everything you need to know in one place our Discord.
Final Words
The first few weeks are disorienting, but they’re not forever. Stay grounded, stay safe, and keep showing up — whether you’re inside or loving someone who is.
We’ll walk this with you.
