Are you staring at a stint in lockup and you’re wondering what privileges are available in jail? Keep reading for four of the opportunities that you won’t want to miss out on when you’re living behind bars.
Jail Rights vs. Privileges
Many prisons have libraries
Do you know the difference between inmate rights and privileges? A right is something that the United States Constitution guarantees and is non-negotiable when it comes to your treatment behind bars. Examples of your rights include (1) safety, (2) medical care, (3) appropriate clothing, and (4) freedom from torture and cruel punishment.
Privileges, on the other hand, are not set in stone. It’s possible to lose them if you break the rules. Jails often reward inmates who behave well with improved living conditions.
What Privileges Are Available In Jail?
Now that you know the difference between the things that the prison must provide and the benefits that vanish with misbehavior, it’s time to take a look at the types of privileges you can expect in jail. Here are four opportunities that will make you want to toe the line while you’re wearing a jailhouse jumpsuit.
- Television – Spending time in jail is boring. There isn’t very much to do, and perks like access to television programs will quickly become an essential part of your day. It’s no wonder that a favorite jailhouse privilege is the ability to watch television.
- Job – Did you know that you might be able to work while you’re in jail? If so, take advantage of the chance to (1) make a few dollars, (2) ward off boredom and (3) improve your prospects.
- Personal stuff – Do you want to keep your property like books and toiletries in your cell? Your property is a privilege, and the guards can confiscate it if you don’t abide by jail rules.
- Family visits – Going to jail doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your family. Dauphin County Prison, for example, will let you spend fifty minutes each week visiting with your loved ones. Since visitation is a privilege, it’s vital that you don’t commit any infractions that might keep you from interacting with the people you love.
Lastly, you have many rights in jail, but the privileges that can make life behind bars bearable result from good behavior. Indeed, knowing what privileges are available in jail is usually a terrific motivator to follow the rules.
Contact us at Gibson Bail Bonds if you don’t want to learn to live in a correctional facility. We post bond so that our clients can go home.
