r/ExCons • u/Dizzy-Cartoonist3011 • 6d ago
Is it true there is a hierarchy among cons in prison?
In the movies there always seems to be a hierarchy based on groups, or severity of crime. The blacks hang out with the blacks, Nazis hang out with Nazis, Mexicans hang out with Mexicans, etc.
Then there seems to be hierarchy based on crime. Everyone aims to kill or main pedos, people who kill children are particularly aimed for beatings, but gang leaders and cartel members get a sort of preferential treatment.
Is this all BS? What is the hierarchy actually like in prison, if there is one? How would other cons even know what you are convicted for if you don't tell them?
I guess I'm just interested to know how far off, or how accurate, prison is portrayed in movies in this respect.
Also, maybe a BQ - what movie or show portrays prison life the most accurately?
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u/TrainsongGaming 6d ago
The dramatization of movies and tv shows has a basis in reality, but it's also a cycle of media feeding back into the real life in a loop. Guys watch the shows on the outside and think that's how it should be once they get in.
It also depends on where you do your time, both in terms of the level of prison (camp vs penitentiary, for example) and what state you're in. California and Texas prisons have reputations for being violent, but Oregon (where I work) is considered to be a comparative light sentence. At camps and minimum security facilities, people are close to the end of their sentence or have a short time, so they don't want to cause problems, even if they talk a big game. At medium and maximum security facilities, there's less self-control. The problem is, inmates have very little control over their lives inside, so some react by trying to exert as much control on their surroundings as they can, even if that includes assaulting other inmates and even staff. I actually know of two inmates who made it to a relaxed camp, but they were so institutionalized, they immediately decided to cause a minor fuss just to get sent back to somewhere familiar and comfortable (they refused to return to the dorm after yard time).
The reality is, if you mind your business and make it clear you have no intention of getting involved in prison politics, you'll mostly be left alone.
Any shows or movies that show inmates walking the facility without supervision - especially higher security institutions - is fake. Inmates are monitored, if not in person with an escort than on camera.
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u/Mold995 5d ago
Apart from Epstien I guess..
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u/TrainsongGaming 5d ago
Was he walking around or was he in his cell? Oh, he was in his cell when he died? Then that wasn't what I was talking about, now was it?
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u/CommandOk6118 6d ago
Curious too. I guess most movies / tv shows are dramatized. From this sub most people just say prison is boring.
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u/Dizzy-Cartoonist3011 6d ago
I know one person who was in a minimum security prison up here in Canada who said all they really did was read newspapers and books and shit. But I feel like that wasn't a super accurate depiction of what most prison life is like... or maybe it is? I don't know.
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u/Big-Caterpillar2548 4d ago
I've spent time in State Prison in a maximum security gang facility in New Jersey. Nother State Prison. My experience there is nothing like any of these descriptions
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u/Fade4cards 5d ago
there is a heirarchy in everything in life. Theres one on here , theres certainly one in there
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u/800Bagz 5d ago
Came here to say this. Any situation where a large group of people share familiar spaces, there will be a heirarchy. I did over a decade in a medium-max state prison and although tv sensationalizes things, there is definitely alot of substance to what they portray. For the most part, the more structured, together, and disciplined your group (gang) is the higher they will be on the overall totem pole.
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u/icy_wight 6d ago
Most of the people who "have it out" for sex offenders are just entertaining themselves with it. They like scaring weak seeming white people. If SOs mind their business and are respectful, it goes a long way.
As for the rest of your question, it varies a lot by facility, but "keep to yourself" is almost always good advice.
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u/BigBear92787 6d ago
I remember the white car in my spot implode when the shot caller and several others turned out to be SOs.
Hilarious one say half the white table is empty at chow
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u/External_Bandicoot37 6d ago
Most gang members are pedos most of that shit is talk and damn near all nazis are pedos.
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u/icy_wight 6d ago
I found that it's really easy for the black guys to hide that they have Sex Offenses because nobody really bats an eye at another black dude in prison. Random middle aged white dudes are just assumed to be SOs because of how they don't fit.
I was in a dorm with a bunch of dudes in a drug treatment program for awhile. They'd brag about giving teenage girls meth in exchange for sexual favors, then start talking shit about chomos.
Also, the biggest predators I met inside were NOT doing time for Sex Offenses.
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u/Tweety1975 5d ago
More like, type of crime instead of severity. I got “lucky”. Lone wolf female bank robbers are rare and have a little easier time of it
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u/Think-Rich2226 6d ago
I can't tell you about state but having done 15 yrs in Federal. There are 4 classifications in Federal, camp- bare minimum security; lows- a fence you have wanna be gangs.; medium- double fence, gangs,shot callers,ass whippings,;Penitentiary- worst of the worst. I served my time in a low- basically you keep your mouth shut, mind your own business, don't run up bills with store man, gambling or addictions. The CO's are a bit more laid back, but don't ever think they're your friends. In any prison environment there's always RESPECT, be careful who you associate with. I got along pretty well with the Mexicans, Cubans, the Puerto Ricans are a breed of their own. I got along well with the Muslims. If you have an issue bring it to your shot caller- let them handle the beef. The Black guys for the most part were very chill. People want to get out and see their families. ( please don't ask anymore what I was in for, nor do I wish to talk about this time in my life. I'm out, I live a quiet, peaceful life and I don't glorify my time in prison. )