How to properly enter a hut in prison and in a zone in 2021? What should I say?

Advice for newcomers arriving in not so remote places in 2021

In the cells (huts) there is always some supply of money, food, medicine, drugs, and cigarettes. This property is managed by the cell leader or the camp leader. If a newcomer or any other prisoner takes something secretly from the common fund without the permission of the elder, he will be mistaken for a rat, a morally degraded convict. Usually such prisoners are severely punished or such living conditions are created for them that they will involuntarily have to turn to the administration.
One of the first questions a newbie is asked is about the article. You need to answer it the way the guilty person answered during the investigation. Articles on sexual crimes and other cynical articles are not welcome here.
Under no circumstances should you relieve yourself while your cellmates are sitting at the table and drinking tea or eating. This is considered an insult.
You should always thank a prisoner for the service he has provided, even the most insignificant.
According to prison etiquette, prisoners can and should address each other on a first-name basis, even in relation to those people who are much older and more authoritative.
Under no circumstances should you borrow money from fellow inmates. An exception is card debt.
You should never make promises, for example, to return money or something to the common fund. You can only promise what is actually achievable, otherwise you will have to pay for not keeping your promise.
In captivity, you cannot boast about your financial situation, saying that in the wild you have a good car, apartment, business. They don't like people like that there. It is best to pretend to be “average” or poor.

Why you can’t establish close contacts with the administration

You cannot establish close contact with the administration. Otherwise, cellmates may decide that such a person writes denunciations, and his life will become unbearable - constant insults, isolation. Prisoners are divided into three categories: men - prisoners who work in production, do not cooperate with the administration, and are serving their sentence peacefully; red – administrative assistants, informers; thieves - they don’t work, they come into conflict with the prison administration. There is another “caste” - devils, people who have a weak character, are either broken or homeless. And the lowest “class” are the so-called “lowered ones.” There are 6 “never”s in prison: Never make excuses Never complain Never brag Never discuss others Never ask for something if you can do without it Never lie.

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First days

Any newcomer is a tasty prey for people who are already tired of a boring and stressful inner life.

Therefore, many will try to have fun at the expense of the newcomer, and at the same time find out how dangerous or beneficial he can be for the tester.

the “examiners” will not go beyond what is permitted , unless, of course, the newcomer provokes them with his behavior and statements.

How are newcomers welcomed?

By asking questions.

Based on the answers and behavior received, they will judge who the newcomer is and what place he should be given in the local hierarchy.

They will definitely ask:

“Who is this and who is he in life.”
“Why were you imprisoned and for how long?”
“How I got my food in the wild.”

How to enter the house?

What is the correct way to enter a house in the zone on the first day?

Calmly, politely, showing respect for those living in the cell, but without currying favor with anyone.
Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself by name.
Do not extend your hand, do not shake someone’s hand in return - not a single prisoner will do this from the heart, only with forgery.
Tell the cell leader under what article he was convicted.
Do not agree to any games. Over time, you can figure out what's what and which of the entertainments you can really afford, and which will only bring trouble.
If you are forced to play, be sure to first say in front of witnesses that you personally are “playing without interest.” This way, those forcing you to play will not have the opportunity to force you into some kind of debt.

Greetings

A simple “hello” is enough. The ban on handshakes has already been discussed above.

How should a first mover behave?

Not fawning over anyone, not trying to gain the favor of superiors through snitching , not showing concern for the fate of others.

In prison it is vitally important to be calm, abiding by internal regulations, polite and indifferent to others.

How to survive?

How to survive in prison as a newbie?

Respect internal laws, do not try to seem like an experienced lesson.
Never take someone else's. Left unattended can be a bait for inflicting reprisals for violations of “concepts” or for the sake of entertainment. In addition, a nobody's item may belong to someone from a lower caste. And one touch will be enough to find yourself in it without the ability to correct the situation.
Watch your appearance.
Don’t talk too much about yourself, don’t ask strangers about their lives.
Do not accuse anyone of anything without hard evidence. Unconfirmed information will cost those who spread it dearly.

What happens next?

After a general greeting for the first mover, a variety of developments may follow . Much also depends on what kind of house the first mover ends up in - a normal (correct) one or a gopnik (cattle) house.

In the first of them, they mainly live according to concepts; the main core of the inmates in them are men, over whom there is a so-called overseer from the thieves. In the second, there is a group of thugs and lawbreakers who have no real power in the zone, but pose a real threat to newcomers.

Cattle are not characterized by anything human - neither feelings, nor sympathy, since they first of all think only about themselves, they will rarely miss to humiliate and mock a defenseless newcomer. You need to be especially careful with gopniks.

In the right huts it is unlikely that tests, which are called registration, will be carried out . But the gopniks can arrange it. But in any case, you cannot refuse it. But in a cattle house, tests can begin immediately after a newcomer crosses the threshold of the cell.

But everything is in order: first, about what should follow after the welcoming words. After the greeting, if there is no reaction from the prisoners, the newcomer needs to loudly say the article under which he was convicted.

There is no point in lying here, since the inhabitants of the hut are most likely already informed about this. Therefore, the article should be named in its entirety, down to the part and even the paragraph, if there is one. In addition, indicate the period that you received.

What questions can be asked to the first mover in the house, and how to answer them?

After the newcomer has said hello, questions may follow in any house , each of which must be answered honestly and clearly, without hiding the true state of affairs. You need to understand the moment that everything secret in the zone will soon become clear. And if you lie, you may later regret it belatedly.

So, common questions for first movers.

“What are you convicted of?” or “Why did you get caught?” As mentioned above, the correct answer to this question is the true article, according to which the newcomer arrived in the colony.
They may ask about the term received in court. Brief answer.
"Who are you?". The question means who the newcomer considers himself to be, considering. of course, the article and my “purity”. The answer must be truthful. If the newcomer has not soiled himself anywhere, and the article is quite decent (without rape and child molestation or other crimes that are not particularly revered in prison), then you can answer “man.” A thief, who has found himself behind bars not for the first time, usually answers “a tramp”, and a despondent one – “a despondent person”.
“What was the driving force?” You need to say a nickname, and if it hasn’t existed since birth, then come up with something suitable. Otherwise, the prisoners themselves will give you a nickname, but you may not always like it. It’s also better to think about this in advance.

After these questions (if the beginner is not lowered), they usually take him to the inspector and he determines the bunk and shelf. where you can put your things. They may invite you to the table to drink tea. Over tea, most likely, they will ask in more detail about life in freedom and about the conviction, in order to finally understand for themselves what kind of person is in front of them.

Test with a towel - is this how they greet newcomers now or not?

There are few zones left where a new arrival is thrown a towel at his feet at the entrance to find out how he will do.
This is a kind of test to find out whether a person is familiar with Zonov’s unwritten traditions, laws and rules. This tradition existed in Soviet times, but currently remains only in colonies for young children and in some general regime zones, and then only in cattle huts. But if this happens, then there is no need to stew over it. The right thing to do in such a situation is to stand on a towel, dry your feet and move on.

Is there a custom of registration now?

Registration once existed, but now it remains with minors , in huts with criminals or gopniks in a general regime zone. It is a test of a beginner's “liceiness” and intelligence. Difficult questions or problems are asked that need to be answered or solved.

Often questions have two answer options, and tasks have one or two. And all options, if chosen, are losing for the subject. the point is that you need to find an answer or solution other than those proposed in order to win.

For example, if they ask, when giving dominoes “five-six”, what he chooses – five or six, then you need to answer – the line between them. If you think with your head, you can always find something to answer. And the “five” symbolizes the lowered one, and the “six” symbolizes the chatterbox and slanderer.

If the first mover does not pass the test, then he is given the opportunity to correct the situation next time. But if he doesn’t pass the second time, then he is given a choice: to join the omitted or the Chukhons. You can avoid this choice by ransoming or working off.

What are the conditions in prison?

Tough , but, according to eyewitnesses, allowing you to survive and maintain your dignity.

Here every man for himself is an unspoken rule.

As well as the need to watch your words , so that something said in the heat of the moment does not become a reason for others to make claims or demand the performance of some unpleasant or even illegal actions.

In places of detention, everything said out loud is equated with actions. And it is evaluated accordingly - as something done.

In prison, a person is practically deprived of the right to free movement : due to overcrowding of cells, even inside the premises where prisoners are kept, it is not always possible to simply walk back and forth several times in a row.

Firstly, because it’s cramped, and secondly, the “athlete” will quickly cause someone to have an attack of irritation, which is guaranteed to result in a conflict and subsequent troubles with both cellmates and caretakers. Therefore, it is possible to somehow warm up only on walks and while exercising.

There is no possibility of complete privacy in the cell: you are in full view of everyone all the time, just like everyone else. Even natural needs have to be met practically in the presence of strangers - the latrine is usually fenced off with a rag or a partition made from improvised material.

In 99% of cases, prison cells are overcrowded. Due to the lack of a high-quality ventilation system, the forced need to take care of yourself in the same room where you and the rest of your cellmates live, the atmosphere of the room is a specific aroma that does not promote health.

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Surviving Prison: What You Should Never Say or Do

A person entering prison for the first time will without hesitation call the first week the hardest time in prison. He, who had previously had no idea about prison laws, will have to not only get used to the surrounding environment during this time, but also accept the existing rules and his new status. From the first step into the cell, he will need to establish himself so that the first impression of him does not negatively affect his further stay in the place of detention. Therefore, it is better to ask in advance what rules of behavior should be followed so as not to antagonize the inhabitants of the prison “hut”.

First steps

When entering the cell, you need to greet as clearly as possible in a manly manner: “Hello, people!” (or "boys")

Those entering the cell are given a mattress, which must be thrown on the floor away from the toilet upon entering the cell.

There is no need to rush to extend your hand for greeting (not everyone can shake hands in the cell).

In no case should you “show off”, try to look like a seasoned person who has seen the world of “zk”, anyway, over time, your inexperience will be “seen through”, so it is better to behave naturally.

You just need to admit to your cellmates (without “show-off”, but also without excessive politeness) that you do not know the prison rules, but are ready to take them into account if you are prompted by a respected person who will tell you about the procedure adopted in the cell.

The respected experienced person - the supervisor, to whom your cell neighbors will direct you, usually belongs to the bottom bunk located by the window.

Under no circumstances lie in a conversation with an observer or another experienced person, do not try to appear knowledgeable, you will not be condemned for asking naive questions, but a lie that surfaces can ruin your reputation forever.

Your genuine human interest in prison rules (but not fawning!) can arouse the sympathy of others, since it will show your willingness to live by the rules accepted here.

In the case of questions about your previous life, lying is also not recommended, except in cases where before imprisonment you worked in the police, were an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or were convicted of pedophilia or perversion.

Those who served in the army are not treated as outcasts, but they should not expect any special honor in the cell.

Cellmates may ask you the most unexpected and, perhaps, not always convenient questions, and you need to answer them with a certain degree of caution, since the words you freely said in freedom may have a completely different meaning in prison. Therefore, in order not to be misunderstood due to a careless word or not to create a wrong opinion among prisoners about themselves, it is better to show restraint in conversations. Words spoken by a prisoner are equated with deeds committed and are judged just as strictly.

They may, for example, ask whether you have ever communicated with former prisoners; you must answer truthfully, but not name names.

You should be very careful in answering questions like “Who are you in life?” If you were imprisoned for political reasons, say “political”; no, say that you yourself are still thinking about this question. When the questions asked do not concern you personally, you don’t have to give specific answers to them, you can say “I don’t know,” and if they ask about a specific person, politely answer that you can only answer for yourself.

You can answer an awkward question with an evasive joke that is not offensive to the interlocutor. Wit and a sense of humor are prized in prison, but wise caution must also be exercised here.

In each cell, most often, by agreement, there are forbidden and open topics for conversation. Open ones include political views, art, economics, if they are not touched upon in the context of prison life. You will most likely be informed about taboo topics from the very first days of your stay in the cell.

Prisoners try to adhere to the traditions of internationalism. It may happen that you will be asked how you personally understand the meaning of this concept, to which it is advisable to answer that part of the word “national” means only the spiritual community of the people of the country. At the same time, racist ideas are prohibited in prison.

Remember, your cellmates understand better than any psychologist that it is in a conversation that you can get to know a person better, they will not even listen as much as they will observe your actions, so try not to avoid communication, behave naturally and be yourself, especially if you newbie. Usually, newcomers, being extremely excited about the events that have happened in their lives, can willingly and a lot talk about themselves, not always controlling what is said. And experienced inmates try at this time to learn as much as possible about the person (the main thing is whether he is an “informer”).

In prison etiquette, it is customary to address people as “you” even with those who are older and more authoritative than others; the use of nicknames and diminutive forms of names is permissible.

Politeness is very important. She should not be ingratiating, but a friendly attitude, honesty and kind deeds will not go unnoticed and will definitely return a hundredfold. Try your best to learn to understand the people in the same cell with you, to find a common language with them. However, it is better to replace words of politeness accepted in the civilian world with synonyms accepted specifically in prison. For example, instead of “thank you” - “thank you” or “appreciate”, instead of “please” - “if possible”.

Try to politely but firmly refuse offers to “play for fun”, even if you are 100% sure of winning. It’s one thing to play outside, another thing to play in prison, and in this case cheating and deception are encouraged. But it is unlikely that you will be able to beat a professional cheater or reasonably convict him of deception. So it’s better not to gamble at all than to make your life in a cell unbearable due to unpaid gambling debts.

You should not use a mobile phone unless absolutely necessary, because you will need to pay for the call and put a certain amount into the common fund.

Under no circumstances take more funds from the common fund than you can deposit. Sooner or later you will have to pay for unfulfilled promises.

Never promise things that are obviously impossible to fulfill (large investments in the common fund, etc.).

Don't get into debt, financial or otherwise. Prison laws only recognize gambling debts.

Examples of dangerous words

There are words in the prison lexicon, the use of which can even threaten life-threatening consequences, since the meaning of ordinary words here acquires its own extraordinary concepts. Let's look at some of them.

“Ask” is one of the most dangerous words that can be used for provocation. According to prisoners, in prison you should not ask, but be interested. And “asking” in prison means holding someone accountable or punishing them for something.

You cannot use the word “offend” and all words with the same root. The word “offend” in the criminal world means “to put down”, so it should not be uttered in prison.

You cannot say “witness”; it is better to replace it with the synonym “eyewitness”.

Once again about “thank you” - it’s better to say “thank you” or “from the bottom of my heart.”

The word “I will prove” is dangerous; in response they may say: “Are you one of the lawyers?” It’s better to say “justify.”

You cannot say “goodbye” and many other polite words that can be listed for a long time.

Prison hygiene

Even to relieve yourself in a prison cell you need to be able to politely. Typically, each cell is equipped with a hygienic corner where there is a toilet and sink. The inhabitants of the cell often try to isolate it from the rest of the cell space with curtains, which, of course, cannot prevent the spread of sounds and smell, but create at least a visual feeling of a secluded place. That is why, during inspections, security guards tear down homemade curtains so that the prisoner can fully feel the “unhomely” environment. But this is also done for safety reasons - so that in a secluded space no one tries to open their veins or hang themselves with a curtain rope.

Prison etiquette requires that you thoroughly wash your hands after using the toilet. Washing hands in a prison environment is almost ritualistic in nature: if hands touch the genitals and are not washed, not only the hands, but also all the objects they touched are considered “washed” or “washed.” A prisoner who shakes such a hand becomes “offended,” and a slob who has not washed his hands can be “slapped” with a fist without explanation (especially if this is not the first time this has happened).

When one of the cellmates relieves himself, no one in the cell should drink or eat. Even if there is candy in your mouth at that moment, it is considered “dirty” and must be thrown away immediately.

Conversely, if they are eating in the cell, visiting the hygiene corner is prohibited, except in cases in cells that are too large (sometimes 50 or more people), where it is physically difficult to adhere to such conditions.

The main rule that should be strictly adhered to in prison is not to get into trouble and not to go against the rules accepted by its inhabitants.

Source

How to properly enter a house in the zone?

When entering a prison cell, you need to loudly greet everyone. There is no need to stand at the entrance, stomp around or look around. You need to determine the criminal corner and go to it. If someone is in the way, then you need to politely move him, without bothering to apologize.

At first, it will be difficult for a newcomer to understand what the jailers are talking about. However, you should not try to invent or think out what they are talking about yourself, otherwise you may misinterpret the meaning of the conversation.

Therefore, it is better for a newcomer to ask his comrades every time what it means and what they are talking about . And you don’t have to worry that someone will laugh at the newcomer and his ignorance of prison laws.

Such an expert is immediately silenced, saying that everyone was once a beginner and learned, learned the new laws of prison life.

Under no circumstances should a newbie show off . All the same, defenselessness and prison inexperience will manifest themselves in the future.

You need to politely explain to your neighbors that you are a newbie and don’t know the laws. You should definitely ask who you can talk to to find out about the rules and customs by which prisoners live.

If such a question is asked, then the newcomer will be led to the most respected prisoner in the cell. He always sleeps on the bottom bunk by the window.

When talking to the beholder, you need to tell the truth about yourself. Lies will always come to light. There is no need to lie about work at the top, that is, in ordinary life.

However, you can still lie only if the newcomer worked in the police or if he received a sentence for sexual perversion.

To the question: “Who are you in life?” you need to answer very carefully . If a newcomer was put behind bars for political reasons, then you need to say that you are political. In other cases, you need to say this: “I’m still thinking about this question.”

Don't push the conversation. Be careful not to tease you in a camouflaged manner. I have seen a first mover be told that the rule is that until the next newcomer arrives, you wash the dishes and the floors. Answer that you have not heard of this, and consult with the “supervisors” or the authority of the prison. Don’t be complex, say that the dishes will be washed by the person who offered this to you.

Do not panic when the inspector on the evening round calls your name through the door and assigns you to duty. It is possible that the prisoners will begin to lie, as if you are obliged to do something. In fact, the cops appoint a person on duty to be present and be the last person on infrequent patrols. The maximum that you will face, for example, if you discover a sharpening device for cutting bread, is placement in a punishment cell (punishment cell - punishment cell). And don't put on a show without signing the decree if you don't agree with the placement there. This is just an introduction paper. In the punishment cell, from wake-up until bedtime, writing materials are provided. File a complaint with the prosecutor's office.

No one is safe from the SLIZNYA, but try not to get into trouble, not to violate discipline, earning cheap popularity from your cellmates. All your punishment cells are recorded on a card. If you get into the zone, you will immediately be listed as “negatively inclined.”

Depending on the severity of the article, you can be released on parole or replace the colony with a fine, one-third, one-half, two-thirds of the term. That is, he won’t survive for many years. If there are violations, this is impossible. They need to be removed.

There is a small chance of ending up in a lawless or press hut. Know: to break from the cell to the bastard. But this is for an insignificant reason. If you encounter the Makhnovists and they beat you, ask the employees to be transferred to another place. Just never pawn: say that you don’t get along. Usually this explanation is sufficient.

If they don’t transfer you from the press hut, you’ll get your forehead bled until the cops make their rounds. Ask your lawyer to resolve this issue with the head of the detention center.

You can change the rules yourself. I remember that after the “dog walker,” I, the first mover, was lifted into a hut—six bunks, ten people. A complete madhouse. The Georgian Neiman felt the most at ease of all. Day I looked at all sorts of tricks. Later, on a walk, I asked the healthy but calm Shurik from Borovichi if he was tired of living like this. He asked for physical support in case of a crisis. In the evening I explained to my neighbors that we would live in a new way. When they sleep, do not scream. Smoking in groups of two by the window. Don’t “run into” new people. Neumann was indignant. I had to hit him in the beard. Order reigned. The air is relatively fresh. They cleaned up one by one. Products from the transfers were divided equally. They stopped pretending to be hardened criminals and lived in peace. Just don’t think that I only sat in this hut and fell for the “suckers” - in twelve years I replaced more than thirty of them and established human rules everywhere.

Of course, I don’t urge you to impose your own rules; not everyone will succeed. But behave decently and they won't touch you. Respond to humor with a joke. For rudeness - rudeness or a blow.

True, through ignorance you can get into trouble. Not knowing that outside and in prison, some words have different meanings. I remember once. I’ve already settled into prison, I’m lying under the covers, dreaming. A young guy, wanting to start a conversation, asks: “Are you racing?” I thought he was wondering if I masturbated. I hit him hard. It turned out that in the jargon, “you’re driving” means “you’re worrying.” You see: I insulted a person for no reason.

So talk less in the beginning. Until you master the vocabulary, jokes. Be especially careful with those with previous convictions.

Although some are to blame for the fact that they are laughed at - they fall for all kinds of stupidity. The oldest and most popular trick is to announce to a newcomer that the cops are letting them go to the market and now it’s his turn. Give money and things to sell. Teach him to knock on the door and demand to be taken to the market. And they seriously demand it!

Or give the first mover a kettle on bath day and tell them to get kvass for everyone after washing. They believe too.

In the cell we made fun of the newcomers a little. At the same time, we checked who was in front of us. Especially the young ones were played. On the day of adulthood (18 years), youngsters are raised to the “adult” level. They have heard enough about the prison of horrors and feel the “shoals” behind them. After all, what is the norm there is lawlessness in the right house. But they don’t ask the boys for this if they didn’t personally touch anyone. There are cells where they “excuse” a person who did not come from his own free will. We looked more during the communication process. The main thing is that there is no “rooster” - after all, some did not show up. We tested this (a rooster is not a rooster) with black humor. A boy comes into the hut, stands in the doorway, nervous. You ask him: “Is everything right in your life? Aren’t you “offended”? He answers: “No.” You wonder: “How did you get to us? There’s a cockerel here.” He begins to burst out of the hut in horror - that means he really is the right one. You explain that you were joking.

How to enter a house in prison: a test of strength

Any newcomer is tested to see how well or poorly he knows prison life, its laws and rules. To do this, experienced inmates arrange “sneak pranks” - tests.

If a newcomer passed them, it means he deliberately committed a crime and was prepared for the fact that he might end up in prison. And this means that they will treat him as an equal.

If a newcomer does not know about the dirty tricks, then he may face humiliation from the experienced inmates.

There are many different checks. Here are examples of the most common:

Reacting to a thrown towel. Many pioneers do not know how to properly enter a house if there is a towel at the entrance. Someone picks it up, someone wipes their feet on it. If the newcomer knows the prison laws, then he will have to step on a towel or other object deliberately thrown by the prisoner and wipe his feet on it.
“Pick up the soap.” Sometimes a guest, when handing soap to a newcomer, deliberately throws it at the feet of the new prisoner. If a newcomer raised his soap, it would mean that he bowed to the guest. The rule in prison is: “I didn’t drop it, so I shouldn’t pick it up.”
Games involving physical impact on the newcomer. There are many games. A person who has never been to the zone before is unlikely to know about them.

Games with the new prisoner

A common game in the zone is called “Cunning Neighbor”. The newcomer is blindfolded, and one of the cellmates begins to hit him on the head. He will need to determine who is using force against him.

The trick is that a newcomer will never guess who is hitting him on the head if he does not know all the prison laws and rules. The fact is that he will be hit on the head by a completely different person who does not participate in prison games - the manager.

If a prisoner knows the customs and rules in prison, he will immediately guess who hit him on the head.

Another testing game in the zone is called “Count the Stars”: a new person is blindfolded and placed on a chair. Then someone knocks the chair out from under his feet and asks: “How many stars did you see?”

In accordance with the mentioned figure, he receives the same number of “carrots” - blows with a wet towel rolled into a tourniquet. A knowledgeable person, even before the start of the game, declares that he will not see any stars, and he is exempted from such a game.

If a newcomer fails the test, then he is classified as a “chukhanov” . Under threat of death, such a prisoner is offered a choice:

clean the toilet;
eat soap.

If he agrees to wash the “bowl”, then he is included in the category of “dustbins”, “spoon washers”. In the second case, he becomes a “crap”.

About the nickname, the chaser

When a prisoner arrives in his cell, they begin to ask him about his life: what he did, who he was friends with, where he grew up, whether he has a nickname, etc. If he has a nickname, then the new guy grows up in the eyes of the inmates.

If there is no call, then the prisoners throw “tails” . This means that the prisoner must shout out the window: “Prison, give me a shout!”

If he agrees to such a humiliating act, then the experienced inmates give him a nickname. As a rule, being bullied by such a newbie will be humiliating.

Meeting a new person in the zone sometimes occurs with complete indifference. In general, prisoners are greeted differently, and everyone enters in their own way.

Special etiquette: 5 words that cannot be said in a Russian prison

Ignorance of words that are unacceptable to be uttered in prison does not excuse one from responsibility. Today Faktrum introduces readers to five words that cannot be said in a Russian prison, and talks about the punishments that follow for violating unspoken etiquette.

Photo: Andrey Lukovsky

"Thank you"

Our usual way of expressing gratitude in prison is strictly prohibited. Prisoners inextricably associate the utterance of a word with the ostentatious politeness inherent in law enforcement officers and intellectuals. Neither the former nor the latter are respected in prison.

Instead of “thank you”, it is recommended to use the words “thank you”, “sincerely”, “from the heart”. Prisoners also consider the word “please” to be a sign of ostentatious politeness. Such words, which are commonly used by cultured people in normal life, are prohibited in prison - both in spoken and written language.

"May I ask?"

Newcomers often turn to experienced prisoners, beginning a sentence with the words: “Can I ask?” In prison, the verb “ask” changes its meaning. As a rule, the word implies a question, the answer to which is intended to help. Prisoners ask not about something, but from someone. Thus, a request for help turns into a presentation (to use prison jargon). When a seasoned prisoner hears the phrase “May I ask?” he first of all thinks about the fact that claims are being made against him. So much for the conflict.

"Resentment", "to be offended"

The ban on using this word also lies in prison psychology. The “offended” in prison are a separate caste. This layer includes the so-called “devils”, “roosters” and other prison vermin. As a result of using the word “offense” in relation to himself, the newcomer automatically classifies himself as a caste of the “lowered”. To call an experienced prisoner “offended” is like death - in prison it is considered a gross insult. Typically, prisoners express extreme disappointment using the verb “to be upset.”

Photo: Andrey Lukovsky

"Listen"

The history of this appeal resembles a pun. It’s easy to see that when pronounced, the word can be recognized as a combination of “from skis.” Most likely, this feature became the reason for the acute dislike of the prisoners. In prison, those who want to get concessions from the guards in exchange for information about their cellmates “get on the skis.” They don't like informers in prison. So if a newcomer immediately addresses his fellow sufferers with the word “hear,” he publicly declares his intention to knock. In this way he earns the acute dislike of his fellow sufferers. Conflicts in most cases serve as a reason for transferring a prisoner to another cell. It is noteworthy that no one likes prisoners who often change their “place of residence.” The “skiers” are subjected to cruel humiliation and are gradually relegated to one of the disrespected prison castes.

"Place"

At first glance, the innocuous word “place” can also cause negativity among inmates. The director of the film “Gentlemen of Fortune” accurately conveyed the meaning that the word takes on in a prison environment. “You don’t think your place is near the bucket,” this phrase has become iconic. It is with the bucket that prisoners associate the concept of “place”. Therefore, it is not surprising that a newcomer who asks where he has been allocated a place will quickly find himself near the “long distance” (the same area near the bucket, next to the “lowered ones”). As a rule, newly arrived prisoners ask the question as follows: “Where can I fall?” Not a word about "place".

How do short and long dates go?

The duration of meetings with loved ones and the number of such meetings depend on two reasons : the severity of the sentence of the convicted person and his behavior in the correctional facility.

The more lenient the sentence and the more exemplary the life of the prisoner from the point of view of his caretakers, the more privileges.

Short visits last 2-4 hours, in a room designated for meetings, with the obligatory presence of a caretaker or several.

It should be borne in mind that it is strictly prohibited to transfer anything to a prisoner during such contacts.

In a number of institutions, meetings take place in the format of telephone communication , through a transparent partition that allows people to see each other.

During long-term visits, the prisoner is provided for uninterrupted presence with a loved one for 3-3 days, in a meeting room equipped at the expense of the institution and located on the territory controlled by the latter.

Long visits are not allowed if the convicted person is serving a sentence for a particularly serious offense or has repeatedly violated the regulations of the regime.

What to say when you enter the house?

Common polite words such as “Thank you” and “Please” should not be used in the zone. But you can replace them with the following words: “Thank you,” “If possible.”
A beginner should not use obscene expressions and swear words in excess. When a newcomer masters the vocabulary that has developed in the house, then no one will react negatively to his speech.
You should not use words such as “I want to ask” in your vocabulary. In prison lexicon, this phrase means to bring to justice for violating the rules of life as a thief, which in itself is a serious insult. In prison you need to say this: “I want to inquire,” and if a newcomer is asked for what purpose he is interested, then you need to answer like this: “I wanted to inquire for myself.”

You can't "chatter"

You can’t “talk a lot and not to the point, trying to pass for “your guy.” There is no need to give unnecessary information other than your first name, patronymic and the reason why you stopped by. You can’t talk a lot about yourself, especially in the first days, when it’s not clear who is who. Those who have been in prison for a long time are good “psychologists,” but a newcomer, excited by recent events, may say too much, for which he will then have to answer. If they start talking with aplomb, saying “you don’t respect me”, this is just a provocation, which is better not to fall for. It’s better to listen to what the prisoners say, or in prison language, “work for the reception.”

“Registration” or “punching”?

Today there is no registration as such, that is, beating. But there is another concept - punching . This is when the newcomer begins to be asked various questions. If he answers them clearly, doesn’t fuss, and carefully laughs them off, then he can amuse people.

If someone insulted you, then you do not need to remain silent or laugh it off; you should answer the offender in kind. If someone hits, then you need to hit back.

There is no need to be afraid of getting hurt . Anyway, after the brawl, the cellmates are separated. Often the elder says: “Don’t be angry, bro. We just punched you through.”

Another important point during “punching through”: if a newcomer is offended by something or does not want to talk about some topic, then he does not need to let others understand this. Otherwise, his cellmates will pester him with this at every opportunity.

There is not much to do in prison, so prisoners often chat. And often their conversations turn to women and sex. If the newcomer is uncomfortable with such chatter, then he should politely say that he does not want to dwell on this topic.

If he is nevertheless drawn into the conversation, then he must talk about his adventures . Moreover, you can tell both real and fictitious stories. However, experienced jailers warn: under no circumstances should you talk about oral pleasures.

How do people live there?

Submitting to two statutes at once : official and internal, established by the so-called supervisory and criminal laws.

At least somehow, no one is allowed to ignore these two regulations except the most privileged representatives of the criminal world, who have more than one year of imprisonment behind them and are respected by both prisoners and the management of correctional institutions.

But trying to impersonate such an important person is dangerous not only for health, but also for life - the deception will be revealed within an hour and the person caught will be punished in the most cruel way, regardless of the circumstances.

Therefore, in prison you need to be yourself , without trying, as they say, to show off.

The life of someone in prison is very simple : you have the opportunity to eat food parcels, and you can give your portions to less fortunate cellmates.

You need to look after yourself as carefully as before your first date with a girl: a person who does not adhere to the rules of basic hygiene will be included in the caste of the so-called “chushkas,” who have a little more rights than the so-called “roosters.”

Greeting upon entering the house

In the colony, as in ordinary life, it is customary to say hello when entering someone’s home. Therefore, when standing in front of the door to a hut, you should not prepare long speeches or gestures to greet its inhabitants.

It would be better to remain yourself. You need to pull yourself together and, despite the terrible stress, maintain your sanity and self-esteem.

In most cases, none of the future bunk neighbors are going to subject the first mover to humiliation for anything . There are people in the hut that are unfamiliar to the newcomer, so you should greet them in a simple way, without unnecessary words or body movements, while observing certain rules.

Correct greeting options

When entering a house, it would be correct to simply say “Hello” - not “hello”, not “hello everyone”, much less “good evening/afternoon” (we will talk about this in the section “incorrect greetings”).
Exactly “hello”. The most neutral thing you can think of. There are more “advanced” options:

"Peace to your home!" Perhaps this greeting is not entirely appropriate for a first-timer, but it will not cause much indignation on the part of the prisoners. This is how people who are no longer new to such places usually greet each other.
“Hello honest lads!” The emphasis in the word “honest” must be placed on the last syllable. In this case, “lads” means the entire worthy population of the hut.
“Salaam is common to people!” A common greeting recently. The lowest color (“chushka”, “rooster”) is not considered to be people in the zone, so it turns out that the newcomer does not greet them.
“Good health to the people!” A completely neutral option that does not raise any questions.

It is better, of course, to find out about the current greetings before entering the cell or barracks, if somehow you succeed. And not only about the “correct” ones, but also about the unacceptable ones. After all, with time everything changes, both in ordinary life and in the camp.

How should you not greet inmates?

You should not say, when addressing your future cellmates, such variants of greeting words that may provoke additional questions or turn out to be unacceptable for individual residents of the hut. Some of them are best thrown out of your vocabulary.

For example, the following greetings are not recommended:

“Great, bro!” In the hut there can be a variety of social strata in accordance with the unwritten prison laws, including the omitted and the sixes, who cannot in any way be classified as part of the concept of “lads”. Such a greeting, as well as “Great, guys!”, is a mistake, which consists in leveling everyone in the hut, which in the zone is considered a jamb on the part of the newcomer. And the thieves, the highest caste, call themselves “brothers” in the zone.
“Great, guys!” In general, a normal greeting, but applicable only in cases where a person is addressing specifically a group of this stratum of camp society, which is the second most important caste after the thieves. Representatives of a higher caste may also be present in the hut, and they may be offended that they are ignored. Again, a jamb may appear.
"Good afternoon, people!" This seemingly harmless appeal can provoke a completely reasonable question from some prisoner in a bad mood regarding the word “kind” - for example, why is there a scare in captivity that suddenly makes this day or evening kind. This will confuse a beginner and he may say a bunch of unnecessary words, the meaning of which will seem unworthy to someone for a proper conversation.

But judging by the revelations of those who have been to such places, each zone receives people differently. Sometimes just saying “Hello!” is enough. – and no questions arise. In addition, and everything else that many have heard about, in modern zones they are treated differently than they were in Soviet times.

Others who have recently served their sentences share memories of their first day in the hut and say that upon entering, almost no one even paid attention to them. Some nodded in greeting, showed a free bunk and went about their business. We had to ask ourselves what the rules were in the house, in the zone, and who was watching.

What is “Evening at the House”?

An expression from thieves' jargon: “Evening in the hut!”
- nothing more than the wish of the prisoners to each other to have a pleasant period of time in the zone, which begins at approximately 20 pm and can last until the morning (as suits it). This is due to the fact that at this time of day the control of the administration and colony guards over prisoners is reduced; in fact, in their huts they are left to their own devices. It is then that all sorts of entertainment and business relations begin, both between cellmates and between neighboring huts. For example:

gambling and harmless games: homemade backgammon and cards, chess and checkers, games with dice and more;
drinking chifir with philosophical and business conversations;
homemade creativity and self-education: drawing, reading books and magazines, making various crafts;
establishing “connections” with the population of other cells or barracks, transmitting and receiving necessary information and exchanging valuables (food, cigarettes, tea);
some settlement of relations and other current issues.

The greeting must be answered . The answer may vary. Some of them are:

“Chifirok for sweetness!” – the most common response to the wish “Evening at the house”;
“Mother luck, one hundred aces in the deal!” - a frequent option for continuing a wish, if, of course, the person answering it knows about the prisoner’s intention to play cards.

Separately, it should be noted this - complete - greeting of the thieves: “AUE! Evening in the house - life for thieves! The abbreviation “AUE” before the wish means the expression “The Prison Code is One,” that is, a certain sense of unity of the thieves’ community.

In addition, the abbreviation simultaneously serves as a cry of joy in greeting one thief to another. “Life for thieves” most likely means imprisoned vagabonds respect each other and indifference to the law.

But again, if you are reading this article and soon, unfortunately, will move towards the colony, it means that you are not familiar with the ways of thieves and it is better not to show off, not to use any “evening in the hut” and “AUE” (which has become so popular in youth circles in 2019).

How to greet other prisoners?

Having arrived at the zone or prison (that’s what the prisoners say - “in the zone”, “in the prison”) and greeted correctly at the entrance to the hut, as described above, the first mover should stop there. You shouldn't expect any handshakes from anyone - it's not customary to greet strangers like that here.

Moreover, you cannot accept them from anyone, and you cannot extend your hand yourself. Even if a person you know by choice (neighbor, classmate, co-worker, former colleague, etc.) happens to be in the house. There are several reasons why this should not be done.

It is unknown which camp color this or that prisoner belongs to. Even a prisoner you know, who had a lively character in freedom and was considered a leader, may find himself in the ranks of the lower class, with representatives of which it is impossible to shake hands, much less shake hands. Such a mistake can immediately lead the “dunno” straight to his place under the bunk – this is where the so-called roosters, scallops, and daisies sleep. Here, shaking hands with the downtrodden or offended - the lowest castes - means “finishing up” and losing respect for yourself.
Representatives of the caste of hard workers (men) will not shake hands with the newcomer, since they do not yet know who he really is. Perhaps he committed a crime while free, for which, according to camp laws, he is sent to the cock row, or led an incorrect life, which is not approved by the prison community.
The thieves generally consider it beneath their dignity to shake someone's hand. Among them, this is rarely done, and not only in prison, but also in the wild. Most likely, this happens because they are more often than others “in places not so remote,” where any mistake can be fatal for a thieves’ career, and therefore As far as possible, they get rid of other fraerish habits that could accidentally interrupt it. And anyone who forgets about this may be in serious trouble. Especially from castes lower than the thieves.

After the newcomer’s social status is determined, he must greet other prisoners.
Respect, kindness and friendliness are welcomed in the zone. But this must be done without excessive servility, sweetness and intelligence. In addition, you must adhere to the following rules:

greet strangers with only a verbal greeting, without a handshake;
It’s better not to greet “goats” at all, that is, those who are suspected of informing the administration on their own cellmates, especially through a handshake, since there is a risk of becoming the same in the eyes of the prisoners, although in fact they are by no means one;
in your social environment you can say hello in any way;
A man should never greet the downtrodden and offended with a handshake.

Instructions: what not to say in a Russian prison

Many people consider the idea of prison, or rather of being there, not such an absurd thought. Surely, you are interested in the question of what made you think about this and gave rise to such interest in the prison that is located here, in Russia. If you may have noticed, many men, and sometimes women, love so-called criminal songs, chanson, and also like to use prison slang. Surprisingly, such phrases can be heard from people who occupy senior positions in government agencies, saying that it is easier for them to conduct a conversation in such a language. It’s interesting that we, from somewhere, know what they say in places of deprivation: free, but many people don’t even suspect what they can’t say there.

First of all, these are obscene expressions. You just can't talk like that in prison. If you repeat the word “thank you” or “sit down” several times in the zone, nothing will happen to you. But if you say something obscene, then this is not good. If a person finds himself in prison for the first time, he will simply be given a warning and explained that this is not how they speak in these places. But if an experienced caregiver expresses himself in a way that is not intended, then trouble will inevitably follow. At the same time, it is dangerous to remember your mother in places of detention; no phrases are allowed; it is best not to mention this word at all. Without thinking, you can offend a person and get caught for it.

Further, one of the worst things in the zone is to throw phrases into the wind that a person cannot fulfill for one reason or another. It sounds something like this: “Are you in charge of the market?” In such places of deprivation of liberty there is a rule “you must answer for the market.” If something is blurted out, then you need to do it, no matter what. No amount of talking will help here, he said - do it!

And last but most important, what not to do. Don't say certain words. You need to take into account who you are talking to, especially keep your mouth shut if the dialogue is with an authoritative person. Beginners are explained at the very beginning what not to say, they remember this forever. Under no circumstances should you say “sit down,” because everyone is sitting anyway. It is best to say “take a seat”, it will sound more polite and will not violate the law of the zone. The word “offended” must be replaced with the synonym “upset.” An offended person in a prison zone is one who has been released, and there is nothing worse than this in places of deprivation of liberty. You cannot immediately ask “where is my place”; the prisoner will immediately be shown the place where everyone relieves themselves. A better phrase would be “where should I fall?” You shouldn’t say the phrase “let’s go and ask,” it’s better to say “let’s go and ask.” The word “ask” in the zone means a claim for some kind of misconduct. Also, the best word of gratitude in the zone is “thanks.” It sounds more beautiful and correct, unlike “thank you,” which cannot be used. You can simply nod instead of saying thanks. If they want to know how they are feeling, they ask “how are you?”, but you need to forget about the phrase “how is your health” once and for all. And you also cannot say the word “prove”, otherwise you will run into provocation. If you pronounce something incorrectly and then say that it is not so and there was an error, the word “prove” will follow, i.e. you will have to prove that this is not so.

This concludes the instructions on what you should not say in places of detention, but the best advice is not to remember what was written here. Advice - avoid temptations, behave in such a way that you do not have to remember words that in no case should be uttered in the zone. Only in this case will your life be significantly better.

What does the zone and cameras look like inside?

If the institution is recently, or relatively recently opened, then the appearance of the premises is quite tolerable, but, naturally, without frills.

The walls of the corridors and cells are whitewashed and covered with paint to a height somewhat greater than human height for reasons of hygiene - such coverings are easier to clean from most types of contaminants.
The furnishings of the premises are also spartan: simple bunk beds or bunks, the same simple tables and benches for them.
The doors to the cells are reinforced with metal plates and simple but reliable locking mechanisms.

The older the premises under the management of a correctional institution, and the less its material support, the more difficult the living conditions of incarcerated people.

Under such circumstances, shabby walls with stains of various origins, furniture with “fragile health” are quite common occurrences . Just like the plumbing, which “remembers” the times of Stalin.

First day in prison: what awaits the newbie pioneer?

The first day in captivity seems to be the most difficult for a newly arrived prisoner. And if he has never been in prison before, then it will be doubly difficult for him, since he will have to learn not only the rules of survival, but also prison laws.

When a prisoner is brought into a cell, he will definitely need to say hello to other prisoners. How to do this correctly?

You cannot greet an unfamiliar audience in prison with the following phrases:

“Great, guys!” – for a certain category of those sitting, such words may be offensive. It would be more correct to say: “Hello!” or “Good afternoon”, “Good health”. Although some prisoners can get to the bottom of these words, they say, why on earth is it a good day. Therefore, it is better to use the following expressions: “Hello honest lads!”, “Peace to your home.”
“Great, guys!” – the phrase is also incorrect in the prison world. It cannot be used against strangers in the zone.

There is no need to rush to shake hands with every prisoner . In prison there are certain castes and colors whose representatives cannot be shaken hands. This will be considered humiliation.

But this does not mean that you need to sit silently. The prisoner must be polite and restrained, but should not be overly polite.

Such qualities in a person as friendliness and goodwill are valued in prison, but sweetness and excessive intelligence are not welcomed. Ingratiation is accepted by prisoners as a weakness of character, so they despise such people.

Words that should not be used

Some words cannot be used. Words of politeness: “thank you” - replace with “thank you” or “appreciate”, instead of “please” - “if possible”. You cannot use the word “ask” because in prison it means “to hold accountable.” In prison you can only be interested. You can’t say “offend,” because in prison language it means “put down.” It is better to replace the word “witness” with “eyewitness”. You should not use the word “I will prove”, it is better to “justify”. “Goodbye” is also considered a dangerous word of politeness.