Week 15 Orange is the New Black - AZ Prison Visit

This is definitely not a first that I aspired to have but it is one none the less. My brother is in an AZ St Prison for DUI charges and I went to visit him this month.   Since this was my first time in a prison I did some research and I have to say it is not easy.  I want to give a shout out to one blog I read that did help me http://www.jessicasoperationorange.com/faq 

She (I am assuming through her family and friends since I cant imagine that she has access to the internet)has answers posted to the simplest questions. What to expect, What to bring, and What to wear. With all that valuable knowledge it still took me 3 tries and two trips to  Walmart 2 times before I got in. Looking, I might add, like the poster child for Walmart as well! lol

 My first set back was my V neck shirt.  When I mentioned that it doesn't stipulate no Vnecks on their website, and that when I called no one told me I couldnt wear one, the guard looked at me and said, " Well honey, I am telling ya now."  Soooooo off to Walmart I went! haha

Me (above) in the Walmart bathroom changing into prison attire... seems that the hooks from my bra set off the metal detectors, so I decided to change 100% of my clothing so I didnt have any other issues.  3rd time was the charm! 

The 2nd day I saw him I wore the same outfit but with sneakers (flipflops in the car just in case).  You only have one failed attempt through the metal detector or they escort you out and you aren't permitted visitation that day.

The only things you can bring with you are 30$ in quarters in a plastic bag for the vending machines, your drivers license and the key to your car (with nothing else attached). #azprison #orangeisthenewblack #visitinginprison

So I had 8 hours with my brother the first day and 4 the second. Lots of Mountain Dew and vending machine junk food.  To be honest, that $30 goes pretty quickly over 8 hrs! 

There were loads of visitors wearing jeans (with buttons and zippers!) and tight clothes.  No "V" necks though lol.  I changed one small thing each time I went to visit him and on my final visit the 2nd weekend, I was in jeans, Toms, a tee with a cardigan over it. Dare I say I looked nearly normal! lol 

The stories he had were so interesting.  He never has felt unsafe thankfully and flies under the radar as much as possible. The gang mentality of life in prison helps with order and safety.  How everything is ordered is generally by race and the inmates rule the roost.  I learned some new terms like PCing (Protective Custody - when an inmate fears for their life due to getting in trouble with other inmates  for things like getting caught snitching or not able to pay off debts.) They are then immediately put in "the hole" and then transfer to another prison.  Getting a "Hot One" or invited to the back to get beat on for a minute or 2 in order to teach a lesson (ie wash your hands after you use the toilet, dont embarrass your race doing something you shouldn't etc.  Keistering... well you can guess that one... up the butt to smuggle in drugs, phones, nearly anything! 

One of the most interesting experiences I have had in a while.