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[jail-snail]

Scams?

I have a special distaste for those in prison who scam people. Some of them scam people independently, with fellow inmates in their unit, or with a loved one on the outside. There are so many people incarcerated that don’t scam others, that don’t wish to scam others, but because of negativity bias, once someone is scammed or they see all the other horror stories from others that have been scammed, those that are genuine get grouped together with those that are not. There’s already a harsh, unfair stigma with inmates and former inmates. It’s already hard enough to try and better your life inside prison and once you get out. So, that’s why I have a special distaste for those who make it even worse for others. 

Take this post, along with everything else in life, with a grain of salt. There are short cons and there are long cons. Short cons are the easiest to spot. 

Usually, the scammer will not reveal too much of themself. They will either keep their answers short if you ask questions or avoid them (or some) completely. 

They will vaguely talk about themselves, their past, their goals and sometimes will just agree with things you say, to try to make it seem like you have a lot in common. 

It will be romantic from the very beginning. Either they will flirt with you heavily, do a lot of sweet talking, or they’ll just create a romantic air (inserting love songs into letters telling you to check them out and sending you love poems not meant for you but it was just a poem they felt like writing).

They will straight out ask you for things or imply they don’t have the resources or money to buy certain things, but they would never ask you though and then later ask if you can get them these things, but only “if you can”. 

Now, if you’re talking to someone and they only seem hard to get to know, but everything else is fine (they don’t sweet talk you, they don’t demand things, they don’t ask for anything) maybe it’s just because they don’t know how to have a conversation like you do; maybe they just have a hard time opening up because they have pretty bad trust issues. Maybe they even knew someone who got scammed by someone on the outside! That does happen also. Just because you get put in prison doesn’t always mean you get smarter. An inmate might trust someone who agrees to marry them for example and they give all their information away (including social security number) only to get had and left. 

Long cons are harder to detect, because by the time they run their scam you’ve already established trust. However, changes to personalities and relationships should tip you off. Usually. I really have to stress words like, maybe, usually, sometimes, might, because at the end of the day you really have to rely on yourself and your instincts and your common sense, not blindly go by a blog post or another person’s experience. That being said, some signs that someone may be running a long con are few and really depend on the person.

If you notice a hot/cold pattern. It goes from platonic to heavy flirting to platonic to not hearing from them then heavy flirting again. If this happens to you it might not even be a scam, but tread with caution. They might not be scamming you, but usually it’s not a sign of a genuine connection. 

If their requests become more frequent. It can be a totally platonic pen pal relationship, they don’t ask for money or things that require money to be had, but they’ll ask for you to print something or a blank card. It doesn’t cost anything or much, so you don’t think about it. Then they ask for something else that cost a little bit more, then they’ll ask for more things, then they’ll ask for you to look up things for them or for their fellow inmates and now in each letter there’s something they would like you to get or look up, “no rush”. This by itself might not be anything or malicious, but it’s something to take note of. 

Your relationship is good and feels solid, you have trust in this person, and suddenly you get in a relationship with someone else or you lose your job, you no longer have certain resources you once had, and/or you no longer are able to be romantically swayed. Then this once solid and trustworthy relationship begins to dwindle down and/or ceases all-together, you might no longer be a mark worthy of effort. Now, just this alone doesn’t always mean you were the mark in a scam, but it’s something to think about especially if this is only one of multiple signs you were talking to a master manipulator.

All-in-all, there are some signs whether it’s a short con or a long con or not a con at all, that everyone should heed:

If you refuse to give them material things, your photo, your phone number, and they stop writing you. If they write you again a couple of months later, you might want to ignore it. 

If they decline to hear “no”. If you tell someone you don’t want to use JPay and they keep bringing up JPay in each letter (”and if you want, there is also JPay so we can communicate on there”); if they keep asking you the same question over and over even though you’ve already ignored it multiple times or simply have stated you don’t wish to answer; if they ask for a picture and you refuse and they answer “that’s okay I’ll wait” and then asks again later. This person is not respecting your boundaries and that’s never okay in any relationship.

If they tell you conflicting stories or things start not to add up or make sense. If they say they aren’t writing anyone, but they start to confuse you with someone else. Don’t fall for gaslighting! Someone may slip up and accidently say something they didn’t mean to and then try to make you feel crazy or like you have just forgotten it. 

Manipulators are not geniuses. They are not supervillains. Manipulators cannot just manipulate anyone, they know how to spot those who they can easily manipulate. They plant seeds into your mind and watch their scam grow, tending to the scam when they need to. They rely on your doubt and insecurities. Trust yourself. And lastly, don’t let things or people make you bitter. Let the lessons you learn make you smarter and more observant and more confident in your gut instinct. There’s enough bitterness and hatred and judgement in this world already.              

[jail-snail]

“Trapped In a Cell With a Man”

My Name is Baruti Hopson aka Mak Lani.

I’m a prisoner in Washington State, and have been so since 2011. I truly am someone who shouldn’t be in prison, but I’ve long since gotten over the mixed emotions attached to being railroaded, and moved on with My Life.

I just had to let You know I’m not letting D.O.C. ruin My Life. I’ve used My Time and Abilities to write, in a way that will ensure that when I get out in 8 years, there’ll be no doubt that I am much better off than when I came in. So I can take that $40 gate money and give to a homeless person.

As far as prison goes. It has got to be just about the worst place to live. Especially for a Man like Me, who Loves to stay clean and have at least one Woman in My Presence, and keep a clean Dwelling. Of course You’re gonna encounter racism and inequality here, and staff members who abuse their authority, but I can deal with those bozos. The absolute worst part of prison from My Vantage Point, is being trapped in the cell with a man. Maybe for a gay or bisexual man, it probably wouldn’t be so bad… I say that because I imagine being trapped in a cell with a Woman, and doesn’t sound too bad at all to Me. So yeah, that’s why I said it. It really sucks too because I Love Silence, and Thinking, and when it comes to a man… I don’t want hear em, see em, and I damn sure don’t wanna smell em.

So if You’ve never been locked up before, but You out there committin’ crime, I strongly suggest that You reconfigurate Your Operational Plan, because being trapped in a cell with a man ain’t where It’s at My Guy. Stay up, and outta here.

written by Baruti Hopson #347630, WA

[jail-snail]

“The Book of Virtues” Review

⭐⭐⭐

This has only brief introductions to each virtue and a brief explanation before most of the inclusions that are written by the author himself, everything else within the book is drawn from other sources. The book is broken down into ten chapters and each chapter focuses on one of the following virtues: self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty, and faith. Each chapter is a lot like a public swimming pool. As you step into each chapter you start at the shallow kid’s end of the pool which consists of mostly nursery rhymes and fables. Then as you progress through the chapter the water slowly gets deeper and begins to offer short stories, mythological tales, and Biblical interpretations. Finally, you step into the deep end of the pool and find stoic philosophy, heart-wrenching life stories, and thought-provoking speeches. There is certainly something in this volume for readers of all levels. This book was designed to be read by families and applied to a family setting. It does not exclude the solitary reader though. It highlights a plethora of new books to be read and brings life to the old tales which we knew or thought we knew. This book also has a strong nationalistic undertone. You can see that the author clearly wanted to show how these virtues played a part in the shaping of America and that they were embodied within some of its greatest characters. This leaves the reader with a better understanding of how the small things we build within ourselves can alter the course of history and steer our world n any direction we truly will it to go.

written by Todd Jones #349692, WA

[jail-snail]

💌 you can write to him here 💌

Gabriel Salisbury #851555

Washington State Penitentiary

1313 N. 13th Ave.

Walla Walla, WA 99362

っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Color: Pink, Green

Movie: Step Brothers, Napoleon Dynamite

check out his profile

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Gerald Yanac #777097

Clallam Bay CC G-A-24

1830 Eagle Crest Way

Clallam Bay, WA 98326

っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Plant: Cactus

Band: Three Doors Down

Movie: The Town

Color: Green

Book: Game of Thrones series

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William Jackson #390646

Stafford Creek CC

191 Constantine Way

Aberdeen, WA 98520

っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Band: AC/DC

Color: Blue

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[jail-snail]

“Thank You For Arguing” Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank You For Arguing makes me wish that all textbooks were written like this! The author has a very smooth writing style, which he uses to create a personal connection by providing everyday examples from his life that really help each lesson stick with the reader. Another teaching trick he uses to aid retention is the use of examples from movies and the media so that a person can watch the skill being used in real life. This book seems to easily take the teachings of everyone from Cicero to Orphan Annie and blend them into a concise and cohesive rhetoric guide. The margin of each page includes word origins, definitions, and everyday ways to use whatever skill the chapter is teaching. In the back of the book, there are a series of tests and interactive examples called the Argument Lab to further instill the information and allow the reader to see what they may need to reread. As a whole, I found this book highly informative and readable, with an easy to understand-and-retain format. I believe that if the limits of one’s language truly mean the limit of their world, as Ludwig Wittgenstein once stated, then this book has the ability to stretch the reader’s world to epic proportions.

written by Todd Jones #349692, WA

[jail-snail]

💌 you can write to him here 💌

Benjamin Bass #408126

Olympic Corrections Center

11235 HOH Mainline

Forks, WA 98331

っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Movie: Four Brothers

[jail-snail]

Penpal in Solitary?

If your current or potential penpal is in solitary, they can receive snail mail only usually. However, if they had access to an email service like JPay then they will again have access once they are removed from solitary (the hole). 

[jail-snail]

WASHINGTON STATE

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2021

“AN ACT Relating to drug offender sentencing; amending RCW 9.94A.662; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.660, 9.94A.664, and 9.94A.030; and providing an effective date.”

[jail-snail]

“Dis-ease of Addiction”

I’m in prison for getting in a high-speed chase on icy roads in a stolen Dodge pickup. I got three hit-and-runs before I crashed and then stole another truck to get away. I had the entire Richland police department chasing me as I eluded them like a bat out of hell. I was drunk and strung out on meth and the only thought in my mind was doing whatever I had to do to get away. I look back now and think to myself how lucky I am that I didn’t kill someone or myself. I was caught the next day and charged with two stolen vehicles, three hit-and-runs, and a felony eluding. Those were the choices I made. I can’t blame those choices solely on drugs and alcohol because the fact is there are countless addicts suffering from the same disease as me and don’t make those kinds of irresponsible, irrational, reckless decisions.

written by Mark Barnett #895605

Photo Credit: Hrishikesh Pathak

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

[jail-snail]

“Tools of Titans” Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Francis Bacon once said, “some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and few to be chewed and digested”. This book has something for even the most peculiar tastes and many passages that when chewed and digested are game-changers. Out of all the books I have read I believe this one had the greatest effect on my daily life and how I approach the highs and lows of each day. It also introduced me to so many other amazing authors through their interviews in the book and there is a list of all the books in the back that have influenced these people or that they recommend to readers. The references alone made this book worth the purchase for me, but I assure you it contains so much more than just a way to learn about new people For me it was a true turning point in my life, it provided me with multiple paths forward and guaranteed that if I utilized even one of them it could improve my quality of life. The author also has a really down to earth writing style and emphasizes the point that these people are not superhuman or the products of luck, but regular people who have developed systems to improve their decision-making process. Because at the end of the day who we are is defined by the decisions we make. So he provides plenty of examples, both good and bad, that got them to where they are today. After reading this book multiple times I almost feel like I know the people in a way and I often find myself asking what would this person do in this situation. This surprisingly has greatly aided my decision-making process.

Overall, the book is a gripping page-turner that I find myself returning to time and time again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning from other people’s success, anyone who is looking for new insight on life, or even someone who is just looking for a glimpse into some exceptional lives.

written by Todd Jones #349692, WA

[jail-snail]

💌 you can write to him here 💌

Alvin Cruz #358634

Olympic CC

11235 Hoh Mainline

Forks, WA 98331

(っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Flower: Lotus

Band: Tech N9ne, $tupid Young

Movie: American Gangster, 300

Color: Blue

Book: Hunger Games

check out his profile

[jail-snail]

💌 you can write to him here 💌

Dennis Martynenko #317532

Washington State Penitentiary 

1313 N. 13th Ave.

Walla Walla, WA 99362

(っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Movie: Fast and the Furious

Book: Victory or Valhalla

Plant: Cannabis

Color: Red, White

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[jail-snail]

💌 you can write to him here 💌 

Kyle Wagar #794834

Clallam Bay CC

1830 Eagle Crest Way

Clallam Bay, WA 98326

(っ◔◡◔)っ He’s on JPay! ❤  ❤  ❤

FAV🤍RITES:

Plant: Cannabis

Book: Game of Thrones series

Color: Black, White

Band: Everlast, Godsmack, Rehab 

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WASHINGTON STATE

With law and policy pertaining to our detained young people put in solitary confinement or cell confinement, provisions have been added to the current law and an alternative model policy is required to be made (or drafted I don’t remember) by July 2021 and to have it either approved or not by December 2021. 

I realize laws take a long time sometimes, but this could have been better in my opinion. There are findings that show putting young people in solitary confinement can cause harm to them? That it’s ineffective and just makes them more angry? You don’t say...