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Can I pay another prisoner money to protect my nephew when he is sent there?

My nephew is only 22 years old and facing a lengthy stay in federal prison (he really messed up his life, obviously). He is not street savvy and has led a sheltered life. He sent a letter from county jail saying that if we pay $200 to another prisoner (he provided the prisoner number so that funds could be delivered to him) this will ensure that he (my nephew) isn't hassled by other prisoners once he gets transferred to federal prison. We have been providing my nephew with funds to buy over-priced items (deodorant, toothpaste, some snacks) for two years while he sits in county waiting for sentencing. I don't know what to make of this "protection money" request, though. Seems like a real scam. Anyone out there have any advice? I'd appreciate hearing from someone who knows what it's like on the inside.

8 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    What the other person said about your nephew trying to get you to pay his debt is probably true -- no offense, of course. But on the possibility that it isn't, you shouldn't give him the money. The $200 will turn into $500, and then the $500 to $1,000. This man, if he told your nephew he'll protect him for a fee, is lying. Prisoners may act like your best friend, but they will drop you like a dime, sometimes for no reason at all. I spent nine years in a state prison, but I can't imagine it being that different from a federal one. Most likely your nephew will be placed in General Population, where the majority of inmates are. If he discovers that it is hard for him to survive in Population, he can request a transfer to Protective Custody, though he will have to give the Correctional Officers at the trial a valid reason. It could either be denied or accepted. Or, if they see that an inmate is trying to shank -- kill, stab, etc. -- your nephew, either of them could be placed in Solitary Confinement, where there is no one but yourself and the guards to deal with. (Solitary Confinement is where I spent most of my time while incarcerated.)

    Loyalty does not exist inside prison walls. Even gang members, who swear to be loyal, are ready to turn their backs on their own kind for a better deal for themselves. You would only be sending money to a person that will take the money, lie to your nephew, and then send a kite -- a message -- to his gang saying they have to "get rid of" your nephew.

    Source(s): Nine months in a Juvenile Detention Center in Brooklyn, one year in General Population at Rikers' Island Jail, and nine years -- most of which was spent in Solitary Confinement -- in several maximum security prisons throughout the state of New York.
  • 5 years ago

    1

    Source(s): Criminal Records Search Database : http://searchverifyinfo.com/?IJOk
  • 4 years ago

    2

    Source(s): How Defend Yourself http://netint.info/UltimateSelfDefenseGuide
  • 10 years ago

    It is not protection money.

    Your nephew has conned you, he likes to play the par-la boards (Gambling on Games)

    It is quite obvious he is in over his AZZ.

    This puts a whole new terminology about one actually "Losing their Azz"

    If he does not pay the maker, he will be made to pay the maker.

    Protection is within the gangs. One joins for protection from a certain group by a certain group, SURVIVAL

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  • 10 years ago

    sounds like he 'owe's' somebody something, maybe they have given him something he 'thought' was free and they have taken it, or whatever he has done. if you don't give him the money he is likley to get hurt/beat up by the person he 'owe's' something to. i would give it to him but warn him that if he gets into a mess like taht again you are not going to be their to help him or he will contiune to do it and 200 dollers will turn into 2,000 dollers.

  • 10 years ago

    Sounds like your nephew owes some money to someone and is telling you this story to get you to pay it for him.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    i wouldn't bother, he can just be a butt slave to some other giant inmate.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Trollin hard as uck.

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