Where Has the Respect Gone? It's Rare in Michigan's Minimum Security Prisons

 I've noticed a significant difference in the type and "quality" of prisoners since coming to a level one minimum security prison. For years, I've heard that level one prisons were laid back, but that stealing was a big problem. What nobody told me, and perhaps because it's new, is that many of the prisoners in low levels have little to no respect for each other. 

When prisoners have spent time in higher security levels, levels 2 and 4 especially, they live among lifers and prisoners with long sentences. These long-term prisoners set the tone for the culture among prisoners. Disrespectful behavior and attitudes are not often tolerated. Young prisoners are schooled on how to behave with respect, and more of the older prisoners already show respect for others. 

At Parnall, the level 1 prison where I am currently housed, young prisoners especially, but older ones too, lack respect for others. A significantly different culture exists where prisoners think very little of others. These problems exist at higher levels, for sure, but not as a predominant part of the culture.

Disrespect for others shows up in several ways. Simple things, like not saying excuse me, not paying attention to where others are walking and failing to "yield" as you approach (including on narrow stairs), and ignoring when someone's sleeping and yelling in front of his cell anyway are just a few examples. In the chow hall, it shows up as reaching across another person's tray or cup, bumping into other prisoners while they're eating, spilling food on a seated prisoner, and hollering across the table to offer trades to other prisoners (e.g. "juice for milk!").

Recently, a neighbor of mine had a problem in the chow hall when the prisoner who had sat down right before him put a napkin in the spot where this other man's tray was to set. My neighbor flicked the napkin on the floor, and the other guy was furious, even though he had intentionally put the napkin in the way. It led to an exchange of heated words, and then, shockingly, the guy flung a spoon of butter at my neighbor, hitting his shirt. This incident would have certainly led to a fight at higher levels, but here it ended with an exchange of heated words. Such petty things are common causes of arguments and even some fights in prison. 

Gossip also runs more rampantly at a level 1 prison. False rumors about good time bills passing and masses of prisoners being released on tether circulate every month or two. These rumors swirl with the fervor of a wildfire, and then fizzle out for another month or two. Petty gossip about other people's cases also ripple through the population at times. Prisoners with nothing better to do have their families look other prisoners up online, or they get officers to print out news stories that are then passed around. 

Being a rat in prison used to be a huge no-no, but now it seems cool and acceptable to cozy up to the officers. Prisoners who tell on other prisoners often do so with no gain to themselves. It's mind boggling to me. Other times, prisoners rat to have another prisoner moved out of the way (for a desirable job, cell, or officer favor), as retribution for some perceived slight, or simply to try to garner favor with the officers. 

I never thought I'd consider myself an "old school" in prison, but this new type of prisoner is way different than I've gotten used to. When I first came to prison, I'd hear older prisoners talk about how prison used to be. Reminiscing about the "good ol' days" in prison never made sense to me. Prison sucks, whether with "old school" values or with the new brand of disrespect. But I can't help wishing that, with the time I have left in prison, people would show a little more respect for each other.