Never arrested or incarcerated (never did anything to deserve it, either). However I did once visit the Arizona Prison at Florence--my BIL worked there in the mattress and printing plants, supervising the inmates at work. I was told before going to not wear anything denim. I didn't carry any weapons so that was not a problem. I did have to leave my pen behind. Most of the workers were armed robbers or murderers, but they were fairly docile and friendly. My visit lasted a couple of hours and we left. I was glad that I did not have to live in those conditions (which were not bad, as prisons go).

flashguy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flashguy,

I've been rousted by cops, in some cases unreasonable ones that decided to yell at me and threaten me with arrest when I didnt understand their unclear confusing instructions or intent. I was patronizingly lectured by one Deputy for 10 minutes for slightly speeding through a downhill section of a construction zone in which not a single worker was present and no work was being done....but after reaming me out he let me off with a warning.

On at least a couple occasions I was "invited" to sit in the cruiser to receive my verbal reamings. In one case, on a remote country road, a black deputy stared me down and repeatedly said "boy, you and me gonna have a problem"...but in that case, in all honesty, I probably deserved to be arrested...but I got with the program, did some fast talking with a lot of "sirs" added, and got off with a ticket.

Over the many interactions I've had with LE I've had a wide range of experiences, with probably %80- 90 positive and maybe %10-20 negative interactions...not based on outcome but the actual attitudes of the LEOs involved during the encounter. I've been given tickets by LEOs who were both friendly and professional, and insulted and lectured to by LEOs that used me for a verbal punching bag and then let me off with a warning.

But, so far at least, I haven't been cuffed or locked up.

I got thrown in a padded cell once.

I was about 10 yrs old.

Then my Dad (He was a Deputy Sheriff) let me out.

He told me don't do anything to get arrested so I wouldn't be put in a cell

It worked and I have never been arrested so far...

I was arrested, but not jailed. And I would have been safer in a cell.
Arrest Report:
In high school I ran around with some farmer types and the County Fair was the highlight of the year.
The 4-H group I was at the fair with had one of its members assaulted by a member of a rival 4-H group. Like a gang, but with cows. And all of us were drunk. Wholesome, 4-H was! I decided to drive around the fairgrounds in search of the other 4-H group. I found them and chased them with my car, eventually knocking down a tent they were hiding in. Sweet revenge! I felt that it was time to retire from the battle and left the fairgrounds. Halfway home, I got worried about my friends so I turned around and went back to the fair. Entering the fairgrounds, I was immediately blocked in by Sheriffs cars. It got really fun when I refused to get out of my car. I was liberally sprayed with tear gas, yanked out of my car, thrown on the ground and cuffed. Off we went to the Sheriffs Tent where my old man was notified to come and get my ass.
Think the fun was over? Nope. They cuffed one of my hands to a heavy table but had to leave me as some other disturbance broke out. On a nearby table was a pizza. I scooted my table over to the pizza and dug in. When the Deputies came back to the tent and saw I had eaten most of the pizza, the ass kicking began in earnest.
The only thing that saved me was the arrival of my old man. He conferred with the Deputies and promised to kill me outside of their jurisdiction so they wouldnt be bothered with the report.
Disposition of Arrestee:
My old man saw all the knots on my head and decided I had been beaten enough for one day. I had to pay a tow bill for my car and I was not able to drive it until the tear gas aired out of it. But no formal charges were made.
Ah, for the days when you could tune up a drunk teenager and not do any paperwork!
I learned my lesson, thanks to Greene Co. S.O.
End of Report.

quote:

Originally posted by FN in MT:
I spent some time at Rahway State prison in NJ. The Lifer area. I didn't care for it.

Took juvenile offenders there for the Scared Straight program. It was a good program. Never had a kid make it home without throwing up. Never saw another of them "officially" either.

We left everything at the Guards station, from gun and cuffs, to ID and pens. I always hoped they would put off the next riot until I'd left for the day.

Could NOT imagine doing hard time.

A relative of mine worked at Rahway for about 30 years and ran the Scared Straight program for part of that time. He took me inside once and as we walked about the wings and the yard, I felt far more on edge than I did working a one-man car on the night watch in the ghetto. It was quite apparent that while inside, your well-being was in the hands of the inmates and I found that to be quite disconcerting.

Dad told my if I ever got arrested not to call him, I was on my own. Words to live by.

DUI in 1988 and spent the night in jail.
Called home and asked my Dad if he'd bail me out so I could come home.
He said, "See you in the morning son".
Lost my driver's license for 3 months, paid some good sized fines and spent a weekend at a fun place with other DUI offenders.

Worked in various federal prisons and jails for 25 years. Been on both ends of a few ass-kickings. Been thrown down a few flights of stairs. All in all, had a great time.

quote:

We got arrested for stealing a cop car. We were looking for a fourth friend we couldn’t find.

At the time I’m certain those seemed connected somehow.

Lesson # 37 in life I learned over 40 years ago:

don't grow marajuana in your rented trailer that is managed & owned by the local leaders of the John Burch Society....

Been to Raliegh Central a few times to interview witnesses/snitches. What a shithole. I couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

Never been arrested though. Regards 18DAI

Nope.

Visiting a good friend who was incarcerated was about as close as I came. Electrical work in the jail was a bit iffy when I have twenty or so potential weapons in my tool belt as I was walking the halls. The better part of that one was upgrading the 911 dispatch center.

Nope , can't say I have had the misfortune.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Nope.

Visiting a good friend who was incarcerated was about as close as I came. Electrical work in the jail was a bit iffy when I have twenty or so potential weapons in my tool belt as I was walking the halls. The better part of that one was upgrading the 911 dispatch center.

I was patted down by TSA going into Dulles Airport, including someone sticking their hands down the insides of my pants and asked if I had any weapons on me. Told them no my my tool bag was full of weapons (razor knife, hammer, drywall saw, screw drivers, Kline's). They did not see the irony in the whole situation.

I got a ride home in the back of a cop car with a cousin at 13 after we were caught TPing a yard and setting off fireworks. The worst part was the literal and verbal ass kicking from my dad.

I have never had the pleasure however in my first 20 year career I have ensured that many many did. Although not a primary part of my job, I had the occasion to transport prisoners to/from many of the countries more secure prisons: McNeil Island (an old time serious prison), El Reno, Springfield, La Tuna, Lompoc, and Leavenworth. I learned that I did not want to be there.

One of the most memorable pick-ups I made was in Orange Texas; a murderer being transported back for trial. I arrived on Labor Day, 1976. It was hot and exceptionally humid. If I remember the jail was on the second floor of the court (?) building, When I entered, all I could see is open cell jail holding areas, bars, and old time jail doors everywhere. This place seemed to be straight out of the 1920's or 1930's. It was so hot that every inmate was stripped down to their undershorts. I picked up my prisoner; it was a long trip back. We were talking, I asked him how he liked the Orange Jail; he said it was not so bad, he felt he was lucky to be arrested in Texas and spend time in that jail rather than being arrested and spending any amount of time in Louisiana jails. Apparently he had had the experience previously. Despite going back for a murder charge he was docile and looking forward to a more accommodating jail system.

There were quite a number of other interesting transports but for the most part, they were already convicted and being transported to/from other institutions or back to my state for further proceedings. Despite transporting everyone from child molesters to people that committed multiple murders (a former Special Forces member comes to mind)I had no serious problems. I was careful with them and treated them politely, I believe that made a difference.

Never been arrested, but have worked in a few of the state prisons here. It’s not any place you want to be. Very depressing.

So, funny story. Late 70s I was planning a hitch hiking trip around the country during summer break. So in preparation, for spring break, I did a shorter trip. From Ohio, south to Atlanta, west to Dallas, north to Denver, then back to Ohio. Just to get the "hang" of hitch hiking and to see if it was something I wanted to do.

Well, I passed through Dallas, headed up the back way (US routes, not interstates) to ABQ. Middle of no where. I got a ride to some small town, and it was closing in on midnight. Cop stops, asks what I'm doing, we chat for a bit. I ask him if there's a park or something I can lay out my sleeping bag.

He answers, no, but no one is in our jail tonight, and you can sleep there.

!!

Well, being 18 years old and adventuresome, I said sure! The only "caveat" was that I had to get up and get moving before shift change the next morning.

So yes, I did spend a night in jail!

^^Screen name earned!

Oh yeah, I was arrested and narrowly missed jail time. I was stationed in South Carolina in my last year in the Navy. They had a one handgun per month law and I bought one that was just minutes after I was eligible to buy again. The police thought that I had violated the law and bought two guns in a month so they issued a warrant. Four cops came to my house and they started accusing me of running an illegal gun selling bussines. I barely got some shoes on before they cuffed me and threw me in the cruiser.
Fortunately, the judge let me go because I was in the Navy but I was still charged with a felony crime. I found a lawyer that called the DA and the charges were dropped but I still had to pay to have the arrest expunged. One of the worst things I remember from all of it is when they released me, I couldn't reach anyone to come get me, so I had to walk 5 miles in shoes without socks. The blisters on my feet filled my shoes with blood. It was by far the most painful walk of my life.