MCF-Stillwater - looking for info/support

[scorpiomom]

My son, age 25, is in Stillwater prison for quite some time. I would absolutely love to hear from any inmates or CO's for that matter, about life in Stillwater. Basically how an imate spends his time, how life is truly like in a prison, are there assaults, fights etc? How are inmates treated? Is there a racial barrier? (He is white) Is there drugs in prison? What would be some good tips to manage ones time and stay out of trouble? He is on B-East right now, tho I think that is temporary.

Thanks so much. I have so many questions. I would love to get some clear answers. Plus I would like to write to anyone who has a loved one in Stillwater.

[concerned other]

Hello Minnesotans. I too have a family member in Stillwater and have the same questions as Scorpiomom. Specifically about predatory behaviors and gang activity as my family member reports he needs to buy protection. Please shed some insight. Thanks.

[Kindbeats]

Hey,

My good friend has been in stillwater for the past couple years, he's out in 44 days.

In the pod/wing he is in he has never had any problems at all, he is 28 white male, kinda slim.

He said it is all who you choose to associate with, if you get caught up in prison gossip, run your mouth ect you will have problems.

He said all the people around there call it sweetwater, he is out of his cell most of the day and free to roam around, he also attends classes to stay busy but didn't ever work.

He applied for a single sell a long time ago and got put on a list and has had one for long time, he has a color tv with satellite and satellite radio.

If he needed protection he may have not stood his ground or if another inmate was staring he may have looked away, its important to maintain i contact and show no fear, if someone sees fear there is another person waiting right behind to also instill more fear.

Prison is what you make of it, surround yourself with positive people and it will go along way, he associates with alot of lifers who provide good support.

[lylehasmyheart]

do any of you know about the minimum security part of the prison?? The farm??

[newprisonwife]

Originally Posted by lylehasmyheart

do any of you know about the minimum security part of the prison?? The farm??

The farm is not as regimented as the prison apparently you and your incarcerated one can actually sit next to each other rather than across from eachother.

[lylehasmyheart]

Hi, thanks for writing me back....I swear to God nobody knows anything about the details of the farm in stillwater. Do you know if they are ever permitted to leave the grounds? With some sort of pass or something? I heard they can get like a day visit home or something? Does the farm help speed up the time you have to serve? I heard if you do good you get out quicker there....? I just have SO many questions about it

[crow57]

Originally Posted by scorpiomom

My son, age 25, is in Stillwater prison for quite some time. I would absolutely love to hear from any inmates or CO's for that matter, about life in Stillwater. Basically how an imate spends his time, how life is truly like in a prison, are there assaults, fights etc? How are inmates treated? Is there a racial barrier? (He is white) Is there drugs in prison? What would be some good tips to manage ones time and stay out of trouble? He is on B-East right now, tho I think that is temporary.

Thanks so much. I have so many questions. I would love to get some clear answers. Plus I would like to write to anyone who has a loved one in Stillwater.

From my experience being there.

There is little racial segregation in Stillwater. There are always people who will be bigots, no matter the race. Stillwater has controlled movement, and one wing does not travel with another. Flag (time out of the cell) is controlled, and movement on the tiers is controlled.

The phones are closely monitored and few problems happen there, inmates must display their IDs to use the phones. The showers have a gaurd posted so that there are no sexual assualts there, but it can be a bit embarrassing when the gaurd is female.

Stillwater is a closed facility. It is far safer for an inmate there than in a medium facility like Moose Lake which is a gang training ground, Faribault which is a gang training ground, Lino Lakes which is a battleground of crimes (property criminals preying on SOs) or even St. Cloud, where movement is not well controlled and all the youthful offenders battle for position. Stillwater is a more aged and settled population.

There is more 'freedom' at a medium, but Stillwater is safer. It also has more jobs than other prisons, and anything to stay busy makes the time go faster.

Hope this helps.

[Sad4Now2010]

My Guy is in Stillwater with 10 more months to go.



For the most part it is decent. He knows how to act and what and what not to do so he is cool. He says there are a lot of young guys there and they are the ones that start most of the trouble.

There are fights and there have been a few lockdowns. If your guy stays clean and keeps to himself he should have no problems.

When I visit the gurards are nice and I feel pretty comfortable going there. My guy does complain about the rooms being too hot or cold but that is it.

[Villa Girl]

Originally Posted by Arimesis

From my experience being there.

There is little racial segregation in Stillwater. There are always people who will be bigots, no matter the race. Stillwater has controlled movement, and one wing does not travel with another. Flag (time out of the cell) is controlled, and movement on the tiers is controlled.

The phones are closely monitored and few problems happen there, inmates must display their IDs to use the phones. The showers have a gaurd posted so that there are no sexual assualts there, but it can be a bit embarrassing when the gaurd is female.

Stillwater is a closed facility. It is far safer for an inmate there than in a medium facility like Moose Lake which is a gang training ground, Faribault which is a gang training ground, Lino Lakes which is a battleground of crimes (property criminals preying on SOs) or even St. Cloud, where movement is not well controlled and all the youthful offenders battle for position. Stillwater is a more aged and settled population.

There is more 'freedom' at a medium, but Stillwater is safer. It also has more jobs than other prisons, and anything to stay busy makes the time go faster.

Hope this helps.

Stillwater is better than Faribault? I can't even tell you what a relief that is because my man is about to be transferred from Faribault to Stillwater and I thought that was gonna make things a lot worse for him. I'm glad to know that he'll be better off there. Thanks

Another question though: do you know what kinda programs they have there? We both want him to take anger management, is there anything else I could suggest to him? I really want him to do some kinda AA but the counselor at Faribault said he couldn't because he doesn't have withdrawals so he's not really an "alcoholic" (I think that's bull but w/e), but do you think there's any chance he could get involved at Stillwater?

[scorpiomom]

Thank you Arimesis. From the sound of it, you know how the prison system functions. Your answer definitely does help and provides some reassurances regarding the safety issue I was concerned with. Have you been employed at a prison or been an inmate? Just curious because of your inside knowledge. It is always helpful to get "good" information.

Originally Posted by Arimesis

From my experience being there.

There is little racial segregation in Stillwater. There are always people who will be bigots, no matter the race. Stillwater has controlled movement, and one wing does not travel with another. Flag (time out of the cell) is controlled, and movement on the tiers is controlled.

The phones are closely monitored and few problems happen there, inmates must display their IDs to use the phones. The showers have a gaurd posted so that there are no sexual assualts there, but it can be a bit embarrassing when the gaurd is female.

Stillwater is a closed facility. It is far safer for an inmate there than in a medium facility like Moose Lake which is a gang training ground, Faribault which is a gang training ground, Lino Lakes which is a battleground of crimes (property criminals preying on SOs) or even St. Cloud, where movement is not well controlled and all the youthful offenders battle for position. Stillwater is a more aged and settled population.

There is more 'freedom' at a medium, but Stillwater is safer. It also has more jobs than other prisons, and anything to stay busy makes the time go faster.

Hope this helps.

[crow57]

I am sorry for not answering this prior to this time, have had a lot going on with cancer surgery for my spouse and financial problems, but I will get back to you now. I was an inmate there. I have been out for six years now and have my life and civil rights back.

If there is anything else I can help with, let me know.

Arimesis

[DsGurl23]

My experience has been good at STW as well. The only prison I've had to know. My guy, like many of the smart ones, doesn't associate with bullshhhh. He keeps to himself and handles his business. The guards can be micro managers, (they once said he was hugging our niece too long at the end of a visit), but what choice does one have but to deal with it?
Everything that exists in the world exists behind the wall. Like others have said, it's how one CHOOSES to carry and handle themselves that will determine his experience there.

[DsGurl23]

I don't know who told you that id's have to be shown for phone privelages and that the guards are on protective duty outside the showers. Maybe my man is in a different stw....

[Sad4Now2010]

The farm is still prison but with looser rules. You can go outside together and eat as well. I am sure there is not a day pass though but it is less strict then the prison. At one time I was told you could order pizza but not sure about that anymore. My guy is trying to get on the farm!

[Turxx]

I did time in Stillwater, was also in St Cloud, Appleton and Faribault(pre "K" buildings). Prison is not a nice place to be. While i have seen fights in all the facilities ive been to, Stillwater was the only one i seen anyone cut in. _BUT_ it was also, imo, the easiest time i did. Stillwater is a lot of old schoolers, many of them not soon to be released. Respect is very important there. As any of them, but guys dont like being locked down, so stuff doesnt kick off lightly. There are gangs, but to be honest they do more for keeping the peace then anything else, stupid stuff is bad business. Stillwater was the only one i personally didnt need to fight in. There was alot of good wisdom shared here by Arimesis. A lot has to do with your crime as well, if youre in for hurting children you dont have alot of options that youll like as far as how to survive. Buy protection or go into protective custody. Most will choose protection if they can afford it, at least that way you can have a life. Theres the other option as well, fight, which is maybe the best option, imo, you dont have to win. People just need to know you will, then it becomes more trouble then its worth if you are otherwise quiet and respectful. There is very little real violence in prison, and it is never simply random. Not in Stillwater anyhow. They send the young violent types to Rush City, aka Gladiator School. Bottom line, do your time, dont let the time do you, get a routine, find a hustle, keep your mouth shut and your head up. And if you love someone in prison, make sure they have things like a TV(with quality earbuds), a fan, bought shoes, a couple other creature comforts they choose and a little money each month they can _count_ on, as little as 20$ is huge. And send them regular mail, letters and pictures from home mean more then you can know.

[scorpiomom]

Turxx: Thank you so much for your reply. What do you mean by "buy protection"? Who would you buy it from? My son is in for an adult CSC. I have sent him money because he is "buying hot food trays so he can avoid the chow hall". Do you think this is true? I am going to reply more later regarding all the information you gave, Im just short on time right now. Thanks again, sounds like you are doing well.

[oldnumbermn]

Lets see, maybe this will answer some of you questions. I was in for a stretch back in the 80's, got out in 89, I was sentenced on wed was in stillwater the same day, they took all my stuff,. Tried to take my wedding ring, couldn't get it off, convinced them that it would be way to much work to remove then to just let me wear it, got to keep it. I was 6'2' and 240, mean as hell back then, even so - I was lucky I got a hack that was to lazy to do his job. . Got there just as they were finishing lunch, had to wait for intake, got searched, full body strip search and cavity search. Showered and pictured. Filled out a ton of paper work, then got sent to stores. Got issued a mattress, pillow, 3 shirts and 3 pants, pillow case, two sheets - flat, flip flops, and a winter coat and some small bars of soap. Then got sent to e-house, orientation. Got the rules book that same day, right in it it said you are not a free man anymore. You property of the state, they mean it.
locked in for 24 hours, quarantine. Next day saw the doc and the dentist, good health. Funny story there, about two years into my stay got sent to the prison psych, he diagnosed me with manic depression, made me take lithium, funny I am still on it and never been back, haven't felt like kicking the shit out of anybody since. Any how, I had some money with me, got to go to canteen, bought a notebook of paper, a carton of gigs, camel straights, back then a pac was 50 cents, and 2 rolls of coin(tokens). Got back to my cell, then went to supper, came back and all my shit was gone except for 4 pacs of smoke. Some ass had broken in to my cell, we had padlocks for our cell back then. Probably a trustee, never did find out who, at least he left me some smoke, prison generosity, nice hah.


When I got my transfer to a west, they called me out, told to go grab shit and be at the station in five. As I was walking in to the new house, heard all kinds of shit, people yelling newmeat, and all kinds of shit like that. got a cell on flag, I lied and told them I was afraid of heights, so I pulled a flag cell, pissed people off to no end. Anyhow, five minute after I got there some stud walks in and says I owe him rent, two cartons of smoke and a package of cookies and 1 joint on his bed before chow or else. Remember, I had been in the cloud before so I new all this shit, so I grabbed up my lock and sock, and proceeded to beat the shit out of him, it wasn't pretty, and the trip to seg wasn't great, if ya fight them they cuff you ankle and foot and carry you there, and they run your head into everything they can on the way. But it was worth it, no more demands for rent. Remember this, above all else, once you give in, you are just their bitch. Win, lose or draw, stand up for yourself, or you are just meat.


3 days later the reps for the nations and the angels stopped by on a recruiting swing, told them I was a lifer ( lie, but I acted it like it, but if they think your in for a life beef, they leave ya alone, I later payed the house clerk a pac a week to keep my jacket from getting out,) and didn't want to do anything but my own time. Lucky me they listened and let me alone when I told them no. later on tho I did have a beef with the nations, a guy named sticks ripped me off, borrowed a pac of smoke, never payed me back, I was running a two for one then, so I did what I had to do and rushed him in his cell, flushed the toilet with his head in it and took all his canteen. He went whining to the nations about it, I had to forcefully explain my position, once we got high enough they lay-ed off, then I beat sticks again for running to the nations.


I spent time in every house, except honor and pc, never check into pc, once there you are forever f**ked, and honer house was mostly a old mans house and a unofficial pc. Stay away from both. I went to school, got a degree in small business admin from Rasmussen and some other credits, then I worked the kitchen for awhile, hated it, then laundry and back to school for the rest of my time, got 35 cents an hour for school, didn't need much, and there is less shit going in school. Intelligent punks are easier to explain the facts of life to.


I got a tv within a month, made the time go faster, got into school and made liberal use of the library, went to services and joined the bonsai club. Other wise stayed to myself. Best think you can do. Keep your mouth shut and never ever see anything.


In my time there, there was 4 suicides, ( official report was suicide, I believe that for 1 one of them), 3 murders ( the fox murder of the baby raper in the green house, made the papers), several dozen beat downs and one flier, a flier is some one dumped off the top tier, real messy. Lost two guards to prosecution for smuggling and got talked into running contraband for the mafia, a made man named eddy. Good pay, but got out as soon as I could. Had one escape, thunder - the blind black guy, escaped from hcmc on a med check, got shot for taking a steak knife after the cops who braced him at his home, made the papers.


There was one female guard that had a rose tat on her chest, she used to sell herself for cash mailed to her, don't know if she ever got caught. Then there was the nurse who gave freebies. And off course the rapes and if you were so inclined you could get payed cash or sex for protection. Not many payed, most could walk the walk. Mostly baby rapers payed.


In all the the time I was there, I had just two visits, not because she didn't want to visit, but because it hurt to much, hearing she was coming, waiting till she was there, then only getting an hour to see her and the kids, bullshit. I told her never to come again after the second vist, told the system to refuse all visits, I did talk to her on the phone allot. To the kids to. Man what a day we had when I got out. I think the bed is still on fire. The next day me and her and the kids went to como and just enjoyed the freedom.


Okay here are some simple rules to live by in prison, should be still good even today, follow these and your life should be okay you may get hurt or lose some good time, but any other way and you end up a bitch or in pc.


1 – never make friends, there is no such thing as a friend in prison.
2 – never ever talk to a hack. Ever – easy way to catch a snitch beef. Don't do it, hacks aren't there to be your fiends, remember that. They can never be your friend, someday they will want something, and the next thing you know your a snitch. Don't do it.
3 - never except any thing for free. Ever. If you do, you will have to pay it back, double........ or else, that is how they start taking you in, there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.
4 – never ever pay rent – unless you want to be somebodies boy for the rest of your time.
5 - never ever see anything, always see everything, you got to protect yourself, but never drop dime on it. Just answer every question with Schultz's favorite words, “I see noting!” I don't care if ya see your best bud take a flight from the tier, you saw nothing, nothing nothing. If your really mad at that shit, wait for it and shiv the f****er later.
6 – never use a two for one, it is not good for your health, if you don't pay me back, I have to take from you, it will not be pretty. I don't care how big or who you are, there is only one of you and many of me, there is no honorable fight, just a beat down. Period.
7 – no gambling, if you lose you lose more then your shit, you could lose your life.
8 – your case worker is not your friend, she/he is there to just toe the line and get her paycheck. Period.
9 – mind your mouth, and your manners. Don't be intruding on other inmates lives, don't be playing the radio all hours or strumming that guitar, you ain't that good.
10 – never tell any body what your in for, especially if your in for a csc beef. You will get the short end of the stick. See my other post about what happened to kohout.
11 – do get acquainted with the house clerk, and pay him well, he can hide your jacket, and make life easier for you.
12 – no whining – ever, there is nothing worse then a whiny little baby, people just like to use them as punching bags, don't, don't ever cry in public. Take the pain, lock it away and only look at it at night after count in, in the safety of your house. If your are unlucky enough to pull a two man house, be prepared to never let it out. And if he was there first, he runs the house, unless you bounce him out the door.
14 – go to school, learn, take advantage of any treatment programs, remember you are not innocent and if you want to break the cycle, you have to do it, rehabilitation is a farce. Prisons are just warehouses now, they don't care about you at all. You have to do it your self. Period. Stand on your own two feet, become a man, and walk out better then you did walking in.


That's about it, just mind your own business and see nothing, just do your time, only fight when you have to, and remember its just time.


Hope this helps some one, any questions just ask.

[oldnumbermn]

one other thing, probably one of the most important things - Never let out that you are short, people just love to f**k with shortimers, so don't tell anybody, look and act like ya got years left.

and don't get into the drug shit - bad juju.

we didn't really have any gangs then, at least here in minnesota, but i can assume we do now, my advice is to not let on you are part of that shit. if ya can hide it, do so, if ya havto tho, well do what ya gotta do, maybe you can refuse, doubt it. just hope ya don't get dragged into a big fry pan.

any body out there know any better advice about gangs than that? hows that working now, i hear gangs are taking over pretty much everything? true? i know my brother said it was so in Texas.

later, oldnumbermn