Surviving in prison can be difficult if you are a non-gang member. Non-gang members face a lot of difficulties in prison such as operations, physical violence, and even sexual abuse.
My experience as a non-gang member
I experienced a lot of physical abuse during my time in prison, but as I got used to the environment, I developed survival skills. I discovered that to survive, I had to study the surroundings and learn the rules. I only spoke when necessary, which helped me gain respect. This approach protected me, as gang members eventually left me alone and even protected me from others.
Staying low-key and knowing my rights also helped me survive as a non-gang member. Showing respect to both gang members and non-gang members alike earned me respect in return. Avoiding attention was important, as it kept me from becoming an easy target. If confronted, I always asked myself whether it was worth fighting back, but most of the time, I chose to walk away to avoid trouble.
Keeping busy also kept me out of trouble. While joining a gang may provide security in prison, it can have serious consequences later on. If you’re not physically tough, using your brain becomes essential to protecting yourself.
Factors leading non-gang members to join the number
Non-gang members often join gangs to seek refuge and gain protection in order to earn respect. Some join for companionship and what is referred to as brotherhood in prison. Inmates with longer sentences often join gangs to pass time and alleviate boredom.
Access to material things, such as clothes, shoes, and food, also motivates inmates to join. By joining a gang, one gains the power to deprive non-gang members of these items. Additionally, some inmates join to access free drugs and engage in illegal activities like smuggling phones, which only gang members can facilitate in prison.
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