The Unwritten Rules

Alongside the official rules, every wing runs on unspoken ones: keep to yourself, don't take what isn't yours, don't borrow, don't ask a man what he's in for. Picking them up quickly makes life smoother. What helps: watch and listen for your first week or two, and lean on the men who show you the ropes — small courtesies like waiting your turn for the phone or knocking before you step into a cell count for a lot. The hard truth: these rules are about respect and self-preservation, and the real risk is being drawn into things that aren't yours — a debt, holding something, taking a side. You're never obliged to get involved in anyone else's business, and it isn't your job to police the wing. If you're being pressured or feel unsafe, telling staff about your own safety is sensible and allowed — that's not the same as informing on someone, and your safety comes first.