Convict vs Inmate by: John

[BJ2010]

Convict vs Inmate

By: John Sanders
E.D.C.F.
P.O. Box 311
El Dorado, KS. 67042

Convict... or inmate??? This is a question that has been asked by many, for many, many years. The one, you cannot attach one simple definition to, the other, you easily could, however, each are defined by their own essence. SO... I will attempt my humble best to give a feasible definition- Nee description, to each.

First of all, the two are definitely not, in anyway, synonymous. The first is a state of being- who you inherently are; the second is a being of the state- who you are told you should be. Let's take a look at the actual definitions in "The American Heritage Dictionary":

*Convict- A person serving a sentence of
confinement.

*Inmate- A resident of a dwelling that
houses a number of occupants,
especially a person confined to
an institution.

Even in the definitions you can easily see the differences. But... I'll begin by describing what, and who, an inmate is, because that is definitely, by far, the easiest.
--An inmate is pretty much as I stated in paragraph two above, and that defined by "The American Heritage Dictionary" all rolled into one. An inmate is a being of the state, put into an institution with a bunch of other individuals, who have to be told each and every day what, and who they are expected to be, and how they are supposed to act- and yet, they still don't get it. An inmate is only out for one person, and one person only... THEMSELVES. Maybe that's why the very word "inmate" begins with the letter "I". An inmate does not confine himself to doing his time; he is constantly sticking his nose where it does not belong, and for some reason, feels compelled, or sees it as his right, to try to "manage" how others should do their time. However, an inmate is merely a nobody, lumped in with a bunch of other nobodies. That is what an inmates is. And, oh yeah... believe me, you can spot one the second they come through the door- and many times, you can even spot them long before they come through the door, because you can hear them.

-- Now... the harder part. A convict has many layers. First of all, like I said, it's a state of being- who you inherently are. An inmate cannot learn to be a convict; a convict is defined by who they are inside. And like the definition stated in "The American Heritage Dictionary", a convict is a person serving time, but he is not defined by the time he is serving. And when a convict walks through these doors for the first time, he instinctively knows that he is there to do his own time, no one else's. While a true convict will always be aware of his surroundings- whether a given situation involves him or not- if a given situation does not directly involve him, a convict will not stick his nose in it; he will keep moving on, minding his own business- until such time it does directly involve him. A convict knows how, and when, to sow respect, and he is given that same respect in turn. Now, he may be there to do his own time, but that is not to say that he is only out for himself. Quite the contrary-- if a fellow convict, or a friend, needs help, a convict will willingly step forward and offer the help needed (if he can)- never having to worry about any strings attached at either end... because there are no such strings. A convict has honor and integrity, and treats his fellow convicts with the same. And yes, you can see a convict too, but usually they breeze on by, and you have to do a double take to be sure they did in fact pass by- because you do not hear them. A convict does not need to make himself known-- they are known by the aura, and how they carry themselves.

So... as you see, a convict and an inmate are two separate people- inherently different in every conceivable way. As I said, an inmate cannot learn to become a convict, but sadly, a convict can reduce himself to an inmate- a sad fact that has been taking place far too often lately. A true convict is a dying breed, and the prisons are being all too quickly filled with inmates. Oh... now that is not to say convicts do not exist anymore. Oh yes, they definitely do. You still have alot of good, sound, old-school convicts doing time, and yes, there are still some convicts trickling in- but not many. Sadly, alot (not all) of the "new" convicts trickling in are giving up all too easily, and adapting themselves to the inmate ways.
Okay... there you have it. Keep in mind, while one is easily defined, a convict is not. While you may spot, and easily know, an inmate, knowing a convict is extremely difficult, because it can be extremely difficult to get close enough to a convict to get to know him. To put it in another context; I once read a quote by a convict that went something like this-- "Some people put up walls not to keep others out, but to see who cares enough to tear them down." Well, a convict will put up his own walls, not to keep others out, but to see who is smart enough, not to tear them down, but to find the door, and simply walk in.

Well, I hope I have somehow, however humbly, helped someone. If you are still confused-which hopefully you are not- here is a small, simple test. Two incarcerated individuals come onto your life at the same time:
#1- Constantly brags and boasts loudly of all his past exploits (real and imagined), all the dope he's sold, all the money he's made, and all the women he's had in his life, and how he's always gotten the shaft, then asks you to send a money order....
#2- Talks (or writes) to you about who he is inside, what his hobbies are. He talks about his family, and his friends; he asks about you, and what your likes and dislikes are and tries to get to know you, while letting you know the real him- all keys to building, and sharing a true friendship, a strong relationship....

So... which is the inmate, and which is the convict??? If you chose #1 as the inmate, and #2 as the convict, well... then you'll do alright. An inmate constantly concerns himself with what was (real and/or imagined). A convict concerns himself with today, and what's to come.
So... you inmates out there, keep on squandering your time, and those of you who are due to go home anytime soon, well... we'll see you when you come back. You righteous convicts... reach high, for stars lie hidden in your souls; dream deep, for every dream precedes every goal.

01/26/2010

[bamasweetness]

I love that! always wanted to know the difference.

[wvdonovan]

Awesome post

[Annabelle]

I sent this to my son and he thanked me for it.

[NoOne1994]

Wonderful! I'm going to send it as well. Thanks for sharing!

[mkc'swife]

great thread!

[KandiB]

Awesome! Sending this to my convict.

I am sending this to my husband. He will enjoy reading this. Thanks

[LovingMomofRyan]

Awesome. Thank you for taking the time to really put this into a perspective that even I could understand.

[Bear's woman]

thank you that was awesome

[drearalphy]

well spoken ;]

[Valkyrie2011]

I know this is old, but I stumbled across it and wanted to post so that maybe some others would see it! I have noticed that my man never refers to himself as an inmate, he says con, or convict. There are others that I have heard him refer to as inmates. Now I know why.

[utahndolce]

@ valkyrie2011 me too! this is the best way those 2 terms have been explained.. thanks for this useful thread

[Britrdazahead13]

be that as it may my Sweetheart considers himself a "Prisoner" not an inmate or convict. He is old school. He explained it once but I don't remember... Ugh!

[montysmom]

I have been a member of PTO for a year and just read this post...........it is awesome!

Proud to say my son is definitley a Convict.

I will be sending this to my son, he will enjoy reading it.

[TZT4$ure4Life]

I loved this post... The writer is so correct with everything he was saying..
I have always always said there is a big difference between an inmate and a convict.... cause there is!!!
And if you look and listen closely you will even see that there is a difference between an inmates spouse and a convicts ....
Its true.... love this!!!!
It needs to hang in every dorm around the DOC's system...
Then maybe they would understand...

[Mrs.Bazan]

This so true, my husband is a convict. Im gonna have to send this to him. Me and our 3 boys miss him so much. Hes got 4 yrs left.

[LilSunshine]

Mine calls himself a prisoner as well... He fits the description of a convict though. Hes very much respected among his fellow prisoners.though for being real as they tell me.

[msgreenthumb67]

Mine is a convict/prisoner. He used to be an inmate but God got to him and now he realizes how much of a cycle he was in and how very dead end it was. Now he is respected. He has had released convicts AND CO's call me when he needed to let me know he was ok and had no other way to reach me at the time. I am no longer surprised when someone calls me and tells me he loves me and talks about me all the time, etc. Seriously!! The day he was detained at his NEW (they had never met) PO's office, one of the PO's called me for him to let me know he was going to Alhambra so I wouldn't think he had abandoned me. THAT is LOVE!!! I LOVE MY CONVICT....who does NOT plan to EVER offend again!!! He is AWESOME!!!

[P'sWoman]

You really clarified for me that my man is a "convict." Used to take offense to the word but your explanation has given me another reason -- as if I needed more - to respect him.