| Going to jail for the first time | | | | Another common misunderstanding that most first-time |
| Going to jail for the first time is difficult - especially if | | | | inmates have is that they are different from |
| you come from a very conservative background and | | | | everybody else who is in jail. While it is true that some |
| have not had a chance to meet anybody who has | | | | offenders (especially repeat offenders) may not have |
| been incarcerated before. My goal is to share a little | | | | learned lessons from their jail experiences, most |
| information about the process of incarceration so | | | | people who are incarcerated are really trying to |
| first-timers can know what to expect. | | | | become better people just like you are. You will |
| Everybody makes mistakes | | | | definitely meet people similar to yourself in jail - try to |
| If this is the first time you have been to jail you | | | | be the type of friend to them that you are looking for. |
| probably feel like you have made a bigger mistake | | | | This will make your time go a lot faster. |
| than anybody else in the world, or that you are one of | | | | Try to find something that will help pass the time |
| the few unlucky ones who actually got caught. Don't | | | | Some inmates prefer playing cards or reading books. |
| worry, this isn't true - in fact, chances are that you | | | | Some jails have Jail Industries programs that allow |
| have known a person who has been to jail at some | | | | inmates to learn new trades, skills and even make |
| point in their life. Going to jail is not something that | | | | money. Some jails offer college courses to inmates. |
| people typically brag about and it is surprisingly easy to | | | | Take advantage of all of the opportunities available to |
| keep a secret. Everybody has made a big mistake at | | | | you and you will find that the time will go much faster. |
| some point in their lives and just as most people learn | | | | Whether you are doing one month or five years you |
| to overcome these mistakes in judgement, you will one | | | | will get through this trial and, if you work toward it, one |
| day come out of this experience a better person. | | | | day your life will be better than you ever anticipated it |
| Remember that other inmates are not that different | | | | would be. Keep your head up and try to be better |
| from you | | | | person for the time you do. |