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Vladimir Borz · #1 02-17-2005, 04:14 AM

Hello all. My name is Vladimir Borzov and I found this site through someone who told me about it. In advance, please exuse my English, as it is not my native language, though I learned it well enough during 4 years in American prison - my only good experience.

I want to tell you about my experience in American prison. If I can describe in one phrase: I am shocked. Let me explain. I was in prison in Russia for about 2 years before and you would think that is bad.

In Russia, the prison (never been to camps in Siberia though) is very different from American prison. When I first arrived to prison in USA, I was shocked with lack of rules. And I dont mean official rules. You see, in Russia, the prison operates under unwritten prisoner rules and there is strict criminal "underworld" hierarchy. Any action against those rules is punished, but if you obey those rules, nobody has right to attack you, or worse to try to rape you or steal from you. Anyone who breaks unwritten rules (called "ponytia" in Ruissian) will have to answer to prison-local criminal authorities and punishment is severe. The only way someone can be beaten or raped if he is a pedophile, a police informer or he steals from other prisoners. Now let me tell you about my experience in America and how much different is was.

When I first arrived to unit, there was no such rules. There were fights often and prisoners had very little respect of each other. There was a lot of racism, and a lot of gangs. Nobody ever bothered me, or even looked at me, but I think its because I am 6'5 and 320 pounds and former profesional boxer. (Looking at someone in the eyes in prison is a sign of respect in Russia, not disrespect) After I was in prison for about 5 months, a new kid came to prison. He was about 18-19, white, he looked very young and scared. A week after he was there, he started having problems with some gang members. They beat him up very bad twice and it looked like they wanted his money or to rape him. They were up to no good.

This is why I was shocked about the American prison system. Why is there no agreement among prisoners to live with respect and dignity? That prison felt like school all over again, and many of the prisoners were rather young. It is not in my nature to allow such thing to happen, so I tried to protect that kid. One of the gang members tried to resist me, so I had no choice but to hurt him. That night, 4 other gang members came for me, but they underestimated me, and all 4 got injured. I though they would try to come for me again, so I had to watch my back, but nothing happened for rest of my time in Prison, for which I am thankful to God.

What I am trying to say, why is there so much racism and so little respect for each other in American prisons. Prisoners need to unite and keep violent and rapists in line. Anyone agree/disagree?

With much respect,

Vladimir

titantoo · #2 02-17-2005, 06:46 AM

"why is there so much racism and so little respect for each other in American prisons."

Perhaps because there so much racism and so little respect for each other in American society and even more racism and less respect in the penal and judicial system!

Retired-17 · #3 02-17-2005, 06:53 AM

That was interesting to read, thank-you. I like to read about social comparisons, especially between countries.

And titantoo, you are so right! Maybe there is so much hatred, racism, and disrespect in prisons is because it's so prevelant in American society. Nice call.

haswtch · #4 02-17-2005, 07:35 AM

Dear Vladimir, I agree with the previous two posters. It is because we live in a badly fractured society in the first place. Glad you're out of it! and thanks for sharing your observations
Anne

Phil in Paris · #5 02-17-2005, 07:45 AM

Zdrastvoue Vladimir

Welcome to the PTO family.

Thanks for sharing your experience, and I would tend to agree with titantoo even though I don't live in the US.

May I ask you a question ? Wasn't there any kind of racism in Russia between Russian and Chechen prisoners for instance ?? Just curious.

Welcome again.

Phil

AEMS · #6 02-17-2005, 07:45 AM

Thank your for sharing your story. And I have to agree with everyone else on this one. There is so much racism and disrespect in our society how could prison be any different?? I see what you are saying and how life would be easier if it were that way, but unforutunatly it isn't.

FoundLove · #7 02-17-2005, 08:07 AM

Hello and welcome to PTO!

Thank you for sharing your story!

Anja

NYYankee · #8 02-23-2005, 04:32 PM

It's been happening for years and now Omerta is dead. What next?

Do you think the fact that most of the newly incarcerated are drug addicts instead of criminals this might be a reason for the lack of Code Ethics? I don't have any facts or numbers on this but I feel the new generation of incarcerated people are part of the product of so many fatherless homes also.