Michael Kaplan

You don't have to be a tough guy to survive-but you do have to be smart. There are some simple things that you can do in prison which will usually keep you out of trouble. 1) Don't do anything to draw unnecessary attention to yourself.  2) Figure out the zeitgeist of the prison, and try to blend in. 3) Don't ever brag about yourself. 4) Whenever possible, stay clear of the COs. Some are reasonable, but don't assume that's the case.  5) Never borrow anything from anybody. 6) If somebody does borrow something, assume it's gone. 7) Don't gamble. 8) Don't use drugs. 9) Make everyday count. Try to get smarter, stronger, and healthier every single day. That's your most important job. 10) Do whatever is necessary to maintain healthy relationships with those on the outside. You probably will never see anyone you meet on the inside ever again. 11) Be respectful of other inmates. "Please", "thank you", and &quo

Don't get sick in prison.  First the good news. I saw plenty of inmates that entered prison with chronic medical problems including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity that left in better shape than when they entered. They did this by assuming responsibility for their own well-being. With so little to do, there is an abundance of time to exercise every day. The food is not great, but most prisons afford the inmates the opportunity to eat reasonably well.       There are several reasons to prioritize fitness while incarcerated. michaelkaplanauthor.com Exercising will help combat depression, which is rampant in prison. It will help fill your day. You can potentially add years to your life to negate the years of your life that the BOP had taken away.       Healthcare resources are limited, the formularies are archaic, and providers tend to be truculent and abrasive. Your only chance as an inmate is to be polite, but also persistent. I witnessed countless tragic cases of in