30 Things We Only See In Prisons

The Unmistakable Jingle of Keys

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The constant sound of jingling keys is a daily reminder of the strict security measures in place. These keys, held by guards, symbolize both authority and confinement. They serve as a rhythmic backdrop to life behind bars, echoing through cold, echoing hallways.

Contraband Creativity

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Inmates display remarkable creativity in crafting contraband items, from tattoo guns to makeshift chess sets. When resources are limited, ingenuity thrives. In the shadowy corners of prison, you'll find ingenious contraptions — homemade tattoo guns constructed from everyday items, intricate chess sets carved from soap, or even radios fashioned from discarded electronics.

The Communal Dining Experience

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Meals are served in a communal setting, often a stark contrast to the outside world. In prison, dining isn't a solitary affair. Inmates gather in large, noisy cafeterias, where the clatter of trays and the hum of conversation create an unusual camaraderie.

The Smell of Disinfectant

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Prisons are kept clean, but the scent of disinfectant is pervasive. The unmistakable odor of disinfectant permeates prison corridors, a constant reminder of the relentless battle against germs in a confined space. While cleanliness is essential for maintaining order and health, the pervasive scent serves as a reminder of the institutional environment — sterile, controlled, and devoid of the comforts of home.

Inmate Artistry

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Inmates often express themselves through art, painting murals, or creating sculptures. Behind the concrete walls and barbed wire, a vibrant world of creativity thrives. Inmates channel their emotions and imagination into art — vivid murals that adorn prison walls, intricate sculptures sculpted from scraps, and thought-provoking drawings that offer a glimpse into their inner worlds.

Uniform Sea of Jumpsuits

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Inmates wear identical jumpsuits, stripping away individuality. In prison, there's no room for personal fashion statements. Inmates don the uniform sea of jumpsuits, each color signifying their status or security level. In a place where individuality is often sacrificed, these jumpsuits become a badge of confinement.

The Infamous "Lockdown"

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The entire prison can go into lockdown at a moment's notice, causing uncertainty among inmates. When alarms blare, and the announcement is made, a sense of tension grips the facility. Inmates are confined to their cells, their movements restricted, and communication halted. Lockdowns can be sparked by various reasons, from security concerns to emergencies outside the prison walls, leaving inmates to wonder when normalcy will return.

Steel Toilets and Sinks

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The absence of porcelain is a constant reminder of confinement. Unlike the familiar porcelain fixtures found in most homes, prison cells feature stainless steel toilets and sinks. These functional but uninviting fixtures serve as a stark reminder that everyday comforts are a distant memory. The harsh metallic surfaces emphasize the minimalism of life behind bars.

Count Time

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Inmates must line up for count several times a day, ensuring everyone is accounted for. Count time is a ritual that punctuates the daily routine. Inmates stand in silence, waiting to be counted by correctional officers. The process is meticulous, ensuring that no one has slipped out of sight. These routine counts are essential to maintaining security but also serve as a reminder of constant surveillance.

The Chatter of Collect Calls

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Inmates rely on collect calls to communicate with loved ones outside. The hum of payphones becomes a lifeline for many incarcerated individuals. Collect calls are their means of connection to family and friends in the outside world. While the calls can be expensive and time-limited, they offer a precious opportunity for inmates to maintain relationships and seek support.

The Sound of Slamming Cell Doors

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The echo of cell doors closing is a harsh reality of prison life. Every entrance or exit from a cell is accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a heavy metal door slamming shut. This jarring noise serves as a constant reminder of the confinement endured within prison walls. It's a sound etched into the memory of anyone who has experienced incarceration.

The Buzz of Razor Wire

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Razor wire surrounds the perimeter, a stark visual of confinement. Beyond the prison walls, a formidable barrier of razor wire glistens ominously. Its presence is a powerful deterrent, a reminder of the boundaries that separate inmates from the outside world. The buzz of electricity running through the wire reinforces the sense of isolation and the difficulty of escape.

The Clatter of Cafeteria Trays

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Mealtime is marked by the cacophony of trays and utensils. As inmates file into the cafeteria, the clatter of trays being stacked and utensils clinking against plates fills the air. It's a stark contrast to the quiet of the cell blocks, a reminder that, for a brief moment, they are part of a larger community.

Gang Tattoos

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Tattoos often tell the story of an inmate's affiliations and history. Behind the inked symbols and intricate designs lies a complex narrative of an inmate's life. Tattoos serve as badges of honor, marks of affiliation with prison gangs, or records of personal struggles. Each tattoo tells a unique story, from a teardrop representing a lost friend to intricate designs that serve as a roadmap of an inmate's journey through the criminal justice system.

The Hum of Security Cameras

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Surveillance is constant, with cameras tracking every move. In prison, there's no escaping the watchful eye of security cameras. These unblinking sentinels record every action, ensuring that nothing goes unnoticed. Inmates navigate the facility under the ever-present gaze of these electronic witnesses, a constant reminder of the loss of privacy.

The Squeak of Rubber Shoes

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Inmates exercise in the yard, their sneakers squeaking on the pavement. The rhythmic squeak of sneakers against the asphalt echoes through the prison yard as inmates engage in their daily exercise routines. It's a peculiar soundtrack of freedom within confinement, a reminder that even within the constraints of prison, individuals seek solace in physical activity.

Censorship of Mail

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Incoming and outgoing mail is often censored for security reasons. Privacy is a luxury in prison, even in correspondence. Inmates' letters are subject to meticulous scrutiny by prison staff, who censor content that may pose security risks. This intrusion into personal communication is a stark reminder of inmates' limited autonomy while incarcerated.

The Medley of Regional Accents

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Inmates hail from diverse backgrounds, leading to a mix of accents. Prisons are melting pots of regional diversity. Inmates come from all corners of the country, bringing with them their unique accents and dialects. Conversations in the common areas create a medley of voices, a testament to the prison population varied backgrounds and life experiences.

Solitary Confinement Silence

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Inmates in solitary endure eerie silence, isolated from others. Solitary confinement is a harrowing experience marked by deafening silence. Inmates are isolated for extended periods, deprived of human interaction and the usual prison sounds. This silence becomes an oppressive force, heightening the psychological toll of isolation, and serving as a haunting backdrop to their days.

Inmate Work Details

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Some inmates work in prison industries, like license plate production. Inmates assigned to work details perform essential tasks within the prison. Among these, producing license plates is a common job. The clatter of metal and the rhythmic stamping of numbers and letters fill the air as inmates meticulously craft these essential items. It's a unique contribution to society from behind bars.

The Clang of Cell Doors Opening

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Releasing an inmate from their cell is a precise process. Even within the confines of a prison cell, freedom is a carefully controlled experience. When an inmate is released from their cell for meals, recreation, or other activities, the process is marked by the deliberate clang of the cell door opening and closing. It's a reminder that every movement is regulated.

The Crackle of Walkie-Talkies

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Guards communicate using walkie-talkies, maintaining order. Walkie-talkies are the lifeline of prison security. Guards communicate seamlessly through these devices, ensuring the orderly operation of the facility. The crackle of voices over the airwaves is a constant presence, a reminder that the prison environment relies on vigilant communication to maintain order and safety.

The Drone of Industrial Fans

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Large fans keep the prison environment well-ventilated, providing a semblance of comfort in the stifling heat of summer or the chill of winter. Their constant drone is a reminder that even in the most confined spaces, efforts are made to ensure basic living conditions. Inmates often find solace in the soothing hum of these mechanical companions.

The Clanking of Chains

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Inmates are often transported in restraints, with chains clanking. The clanking of chains is a disheartening soundtrack to an inmate's journey beyond prison walls. Whether it's for medical appointments or court appearances, restraints are a stark reminder of the limited freedom. Each clink symbolizes the heavy burden of confinement and the anticipation of returning to the familiar sounds of incarceration.

The Rumble of Laundry Carts

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Inmates do their own laundry, pushing carts through the facility. Laundry day is a familiar routine in prison life. Inmates gather their soiled garments and push laundry carts through the echoing hallways to communal washers and dryers. The rumble of these carts serves as a reminder of the mundane chores that punctuate their days.

The Whisper of Visitation Conversations

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Visitors and inmates speak softly during visits. The visitation room is a rare oasis of connection, where loved ones share moments through reinforced glass. Conversations are hushed, whispers carrying heartfelt messages and longing gazes. The soft murmurs and the longing in their eyes speak volumes about the human need for connection, even in the most restrictive environments.

The Shuffle of Card Decks

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Card games are a common way to pass the time in prison. In the common areas, the shuffle of decks and the slap of cards on tables punctuate the days. Card games provide a semblance of normalcy and camaraderie amid the stark prison environment. Whether it's poker, spades, or solitaire, cards offer a brief escape from confinement.

The Hiss of Pressure Cookers

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Inmates get creative with prison recipes, sometimes using pressure cookers. Culinary ingenuity is on full display in prison kitchens. Inmates use pressure cookers to whip up inventive recipes, turning basic ingredients into surprisingly delicious (or not really) meals.

The Echo of Footsteps in the Yard

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The prison yard echoes with footsteps as inmates exercise. The yard is a sanctuary for inmates seeking fresh air and exercise. Footsteps echo against high concrete walls as individuals walk, jog, or play sports. It's a chorus of determination and resilience, a reminder that even within the confines of prison, physical activity provides a fleeting sense of freedom.

The Beeping of Metal Detectors

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Inmates pass through metal detectors daily, a routine security measure. Security is paramount in prison, and metal detectors are a ubiquitous presence. Inmates pass through these devices daily, their belongings scrutinized for hidden contraband. The beeping and buzzing are a constant reminder that security measures are always in place, ensuring the safety of inmates and staff.

Whistling or singing isn't that common

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Any noise like whistling or singing is just annoying - and the other prison inmates will let that person know that that's definitely the case! So if you were thinking whistling might have been a great group activity to keep spirits up... nope, sadly not. Though we're sure there's sometimes a hearty song or two.

Some prisons don't even really have bars

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When you think of a prison, the image you conjure is probably a long corridor with bars on cells. But in reality, it's mostly plexiglass that's used in prisons in modern day rather than the bars on both doors and windows. Doesn't really have the same effect when you're staring through, though.

It's very boring

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Apparently nothing can beat the boredom that most prisoners feel in prison. We suppose it all depends on the sentence length, of course, but we imagine doing the same thing every day - even if it passes the time - can get very very boring, very very fast! Even if you decided to read a good book to pass the time you'd have it finished in a day.

A lot of inmates actually want to work

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The inmates in prisons actually love working - and want to work - and mainly because it's so boring (as we mentioned!) that there's nothing else to do! Any sort of work keeps them busy, and they're going to be happy about that. Hard work surely makes the hours fly by faster.

A big reason that inmates fight can actually be over jobs

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Because it can get so boring - and because prisoners actually want a job or two to fill the hours of the day - they can actually fight amongst themselves about who gets the job! In an ideal world to pass the time, they'd all get a job to do, but if there are more prisoners than there are jobs, then inevitably people are going to want to fight it out over who gets them.

And they're so desperate the jobs they're fighting over are pretty gross!

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Inmates might be so happy to take out the trash they'd even fight other inmates for the privilege. This puts it into perspective how boring it can be, and how important those little jobs can be, because even a 10 minute job to the dumpster outside to put some bags in can be something worth fighting over.

Prisoners can't light up whenever they want

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Despite what movies and TV shows might show you, there's actually a strict rule about smoking, as some prisons can be completely smoke free - meaning inmates have to have designated smoking breaks during the day, and can't smoke at any other time, and especially not just chilling in their cell.

Most inmates actually want to behave and go free

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Most inmates just want to keep their gold record going for as long as possible so they can just get on with it, and hopefully get out there early if good behavior means their sentence might be reduced! Apart from fighting over bin duties, of course - because it's apparently so boring you'd risk it all for that, at least for some inmates!

There is only a certain type of criminal that would be targeted for prison violence

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A lot of the time you see the nervous prison newbie being bullied by the old-timers, but in reality it's not really the case. Most prison violence is targeted at a very specific criminal, so you're not just going to get beat up if you're in there for petty theft. The biggest targets can be members of gangs who are targeted by rival gangs.

The 'dropping the soap' thing is just a misconception

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This whole thing about dropping the soap definitely needs to be put to bed, because according to some ex-inmates who have been there and done that (prison we mean, not dropping soap) it just doesn't happen the way the movies have you believe in the shower room.

And there's typically less s*x-related violence than you'd think

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In reality, and especially in male prisons, it doesn't happen, and according to a former inmate, it's rare for a man to go after another who isn't interested. That doesn't mean there still can't be violence in this way, but it usually has another reason behind it - like teaching a lesson, or revenge for something.

They let prisoners wander about more than you'd think

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In real prisons, inmates are allowed to stroll about on their own or make their own way around more than you'd expect, with guards giving them a bit more leeway. We guess if the outside walls are impenetrable, there's not many places they could go part from wandering around inside where they're supposed to be anyway!

Most inmates in a prison are there for minor crimes

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Most of the inmates you'd find in a prison are usually there because they got involved with a bad situation, or made one mistake, and that's also why they just want to keep their heads down and do their time before going back out into society! That obviously applies to the general prisons, and not those high-security for the worst kind of crimes.

A lot of prisoners will share good advice with each other

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It's not unheard of for prisoners to band together and actually show compassion, as well as sharing real life advice. Especially from older prisoners who have been in there longer, sharing what they've learned to younger/new prisoners who might have just made a mistake on the outside.

Prisons can have a lot of mentally ill people

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As we know, mental illness is a struggle a lot of people have on the day to day, and prison life is no different. In real prisons, there are so many people struggling with mental illness that the majority of the prisoners will actually be struggling with mental illness in some shape or form.

Sometimes, there aren't actually toilets (yikes)

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This is one thing you'd think that actually movies would tone down for dramatic effect (like in reality every prison has a shiny new toilet, whereas in the movies they only have a hole in the ground and it's awful). But the truth is, some prisons in real life don't always have a proper, workable toilet and - yep - it might just be a hole in the ground.

And prisoners don't try to clog toilets for a distraction

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The toilets are built to withstand more than what you throw at your average toilet, which means they're definitely not easy to clog! On top of that, inmates in real prisons don't win a lifetime supply of toilet paper, so they definitely wouldn't have enough in one go to clog a toilet.

Cops don't usually have a weapon in the interview room

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Most cop shows or interview scenes from movies will show the cop with everything he usually has on his person. In reality, a cop would have to turn that all in at the front desk before entering the interview room, and would especially have to turn in their weapon at the front gate.

Guards are actually kind to those prisoners in trouble

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Most prison guards - if not all - will actually care about prisoners who are suffering. If a prison isn't eating and intentionally starving themselves, they'll try their best to get that prisoner to eat and coax them through the door. Likewise, they might also be concerned about any mental health struggles like depression and try to talk it out.

There are a lot of wise old-timers

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Most depictions of prisons in media will see us with an old-timer who knows everyone, everything and how it works - usually giving advice to the newbie, and getting along with the guards. This actually happens in a lot of prisons, with a wise 'old-timer' knowing what they're talking about.