Demand is the procedure for making one or another decision at the “gangway” (i.e. at a meeting of criminals) in relation to the offender. It can be directed both at the “bastard” (one who deliberately goes against the law of thieves), who, as a rule, is “shot down” by a “torpedo” (prison executioner), and at the address of a simple offender, equal or unequal in “suit” ( a certain caste in the underworld).
If the matter concerns a thief in law, then the gang consists of thieves in law. If the matter does not involve a thief, then the presence of a steward or a very authoritative prisoner is sufficient. As a rule, the demand varies, as does the verdict of the people meeting on it. The last point is called "get". According to the law of thieves, it is possible to obtain money from a person who has committed this or that act only after a decision has been made by the gang.
Demand for ratting
In the criminal world, a rat is a prisoner who takes someone else's property without permission. As a rule, we often talk about food, tea, cigarettes, drugs and money. This type of demand varies depending on what is stolen. If this is public money, then the rat will face the most severe sentence that only exists in places of imprisonment. If it is someone else’s ration of bread, then the offender is usually forced to eat a huge amount of food. The thieves' law is harsh on thieves in law when it comes to money. The once famous Dagestani thief Magomedkhan Aliyev (Maga Primer) was “stopped” by another influential Dagestani - Alik Asevov (Makhachkala) because the thieves in law were missing 200 Soviet rubles from Aliyev’s common fund. Thief in law Kolyma lent money from the common fund to businessmen who promised to return high interest rates. Businessmen went broke. Kolyma gave the order to kill both of them because they did not pay the promised amount. The newly minted businessmen turned to the police. Extortion was proven, and the thief in law went to the zone. Upon arrival at the zone, the thieves had already received a small letter, signed by more than 20 thieves in law, about the decoronation of Kolyma, and a 2-month period for returning the money to the common fund, which he gave to businessmen. But the former thief in law could not return the money. The crowned thief in law of the still-union Kolyma died in the production facility of the colony when a 2-ton press flattened his entire body, disfiguring him beyond recognition.
Demand for suit
This type of demand is for claiming to be someone other than who you really are. For example, a man in life (one who, in places of deprivation of liberty, tries to quietly serve his sentence, working, living according to the principle “my house is on the edge”), called himself a tramp (a professional criminal, abiding by the laws of thieves, negatively disposed towards law enforcement agencies) or Nekrasovsky a peasant (a category of prisoners who are always living, as if to gain something for themselves and find a warmer place) - a peasant in life. The most severe punishment awaited the one who appropriated the title of thief in law. The history of the criminal world knows the example of the “impostor” Leonid Svinukhov (Lenchik Shaky-Bashka). This man was repeatedly declared a thief in law in the colonies. In 1992, Svinukhov “showed up” in one of the ULITU zones of Vyatspetsles, and the thieves in law Vasya Buzulutsky, Dekhan and Volodya Ryazansky, who were serving there, beat him, subsequently forcing him to ask the administration for a transfer to another colony. There he sat quietly until his release, trying not to draw attention to his person.
How should you respond to “evening at the house”?
You can respond to the greeting “Evening at the house” in different ways:
- Experienced
. They answer, “Good to you too, tramp” or “Good to you too, if you’re not joking.” If you plunge into the slang, you can wish for “chifir for sweetness”; - Newbie
. In no way should you respond with “hello” or similar civil phrases. This may be considered "cheating". The second point is that you cannot mention a specific suit. For example, by answering “Great, guys,” you can offend other prison castes. The best option here would be: “Hello to your home!” or “Hello honest lads!”
The above options are special cases. You can answer with any phrases, depending on the situation: “ lucky guys”
(if a game of cards is planned), “
let’s start a chifirchik”
(if the cellmates are going to drink chifir), etc.
Ask like a scoundrel, a bastard
This demand is for a misdemeanor that grossly violates the laws of thieves. The culprit pays with his head or health. They don’t beat the reptile with their hands, only with a stick or feet; they hit them on any part of the body. However, an innocent person can be declared a bastard through ingrigg. Such a case happened with the legendary thief in law Sergei Boytsov. In August 1988, the Fighter decided to go to the thief in law Vitka Orek, who was sitting in IK-10, with the intention of inviting another thief in law, Kolya Chakhotka, there to resolve his issue (i.e., to become a thief in law). A month later, the Fighter returned and said that Orek’s actions, despite the latter’s friendship with Vasya Brilliant, contradict the Thieves’ foundations; however, to resolve the situation, he wrote a letter to the mass of thieves in law who were in the Tulun special prison. A few months later, a response came from the thieves in law that “Nut is not a Thief, but a bitch.” The Fighter read this answer out loud. Soon, rumors reached Orek in IK-10 that the Fighter allegedly did not read, but stated that Orek was not a Thief. A tramp nicknamed Sharshavy came to Boytsov from Orek, with a verbal instruction to the “brothers” of the camp: “Take the common fund from Boytsov and get it from him like a reptile.” The fighter asked if there was a “little thing” from Orek confirming Sharshavoy’s words. But since there was no little thing, the Fighter said, addressing everyone: “Brothers, I, of course, can’t allow myself to get paid without a little thing from the Thief, but we all know Sharshavy as a decent prisoner and I have no reason to doubt his words. Therefore, if the Thief told you to do this to me, then you should not hesitate, because the words of the Thieves cannot be ignored. Of all those present here, I can only allow Kyli to get from me, since I respect him especially.” Then the Fighter called the authoritative tramp Kylya into an empty room, where they were alone for about ten minutes. “When they left the room, I saw tears in Kylya’s eyes and realized that the Fighter convinced Kylya to hit him on the cheek. Then for some time Boyots and I and Ivanenok and Foma were declared scoundrels, until the little one came from Kolya Consumption, saying that Orek is a bitch,” recalled Leonid Semikolenov.
Ask like a decent person, according to concepts
Demand from your old sidekick (close one), who blocked a joint (committed an offense that goes against the prison system), or from a person of the same color. Under such circumstances, the gathering provides the victim with carte blanche, which, as a rule, ends with a slap in the face or verbal reprimand of the offender. An example is the situation with the former Armenian thief in law Vardan Asatryan (Bje). Bje was involved in the abduction of children from wealthy Armenian families, but outwardly tried to present the matter as if his role was limited only to mediation in the transfer of the ransom. When one of the parents of the kidnapped child gave Asatryan part of the amount and turned to Aslan Usoyan (Ded Hasan) for help, the latter called Bje to him and asked if he had anything to do with the kidnappings. Bje denied any involvement. Then Usoyan asked if he gave money to the kidnappers. He nodded affirmatively. After that, Hasan said that if Bje is not involved, let him name the kidnappers. Bje said that he did not know to whom he transferred the money, to which Usoyan asked how he transferred it if he did not know to whom. Bje began to lie that he gave the money through the window to the people in the car that pulled up. Grandfather Hassan reminded him that he was not being interrogated by the police, but was talking with thieves in law. Then Bje named the name of his accomplice, Hakob Meliksetyan, nicknamed Kyazh, to whom he allegedly transferred the money. By a fateful coincidence, Kyazh was in the next room, and when he was invited, he said that he had not received any money from Bje. After that, Hassan slapped Bje and said that he was not a thief/
Surviving Prison: What You Should Never Say or Do
A person entering prison for the first time will without hesitation call the first week the hardest time in prison. He, who had previously had no idea about prison laws, will have to not only get used to the surrounding environment during this time, but also accept the existing rules and his new status. From the first step into the cell, he will need to establish himself so that the first impression of him does not negatively affect his further stay in the place of detention. Therefore, it is better to ask in advance what rules of behavior should be followed so as not to antagonize the inhabitants of the prison “hut”.
First steps
When entering the cell, you need to greet as clearly as possible in a manly manner: “Hello, people!” (or "boys")
Those entering the cell are given a mattress, which must be thrown on the floor away from the toilet upon entering the cell.
There is no need to rush to extend your hand for greeting (not everyone can shake hands in the cell).
In no case should you “show off”, try to look like a seasoned person who has seen the world of “zk”, anyway, over time, your inexperience will be “seen through”, so it is better to behave naturally.
You just need to admit to your cellmates (without “show-off”, but also without excessive politeness) that you do not know the prison rules, but are ready to take them into account if you are prompted by a respected person who will tell you about the procedure adopted in the cell.
The respected experienced person - the supervisor, to whom your cell neighbors will direct you, usually belongs to the bottom bunk located by the window.
Under no circumstances lie in a conversation with an observer or another experienced person, do not try to appear knowledgeable, you will not be condemned for asking naive questions, but a lie that surfaces can ruin your reputation forever.
Your genuine human interest in prison rules (but not fawning!) can arouse the sympathy of others, since it will show your willingness to live by the rules accepted here.
In the case of questions about your previous life, lying is also not recommended, except in cases where before imprisonment you worked in the police, were an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or were convicted of pedophilia or perversion.
Those who served in the army are not treated as outcasts, but they should not expect any special honor in the cell.
Cellmates may ask you the most unexpected and, perhaps, not always convenient questions, and you need to answer them with a certain degree of caution, since the words you freely said in freedom may have a completely different meaning in prison. Therefore, in order not to be misunderstood due to a careless word or not to create a wrong opinion among prisoners about themselves, it is better to show restraint in conversations. Words spoken by a prisoner are equated with deeds committed and are judged just as strictly.
They may, for example, ask whether you have ever communicated with former prisoners; you must answer truthfully, but not name names.
You should be very careful in answering questions like “Who are you in life?” If you were imprisoned for political reasons, say “political”; no, say that you yourself are still thinking about this question. When the questions asked do not concern you personally, you don’t have to give specific answers to them, you can say “I don’t know,” and if they ask about a specific person, politely answer that you can only answer for yourself.
You can answer an awkward question with an evasive joke that is not offensive to the interlocutor. Wit and a sense of humor are prized in prison, but wise caution must also be exercised here.
In each cell, most often, by agreement, there are forbidden and open topics for conversation. Open ones include political views, art, economics, if they are not touched upon in the context of prison life. You will most likely be informed about taboo topics from the very first days of your stay in the cell.
Prisoners try to adhere to the traditions of internationalism. It may happen that you will be asked how you personally understand the meaning of this concept, to which it is advisable to answer that part of the word “national” means only the spiritual community of the people of the country. At the same time, racist ideas are prohibited in prison.
Remember, your cellmates understand better than any psychologist that it is in a conversation that you can get to know a person better, they will not even listen as much as they will observe your actions, so try not to avoid communication, behave naturally and be yourself, especially if you newbie. Usually, newcomers, being extremely excited about the events that have happened in their lives, can willingly and a lot talk about themselves, not always controlling what is said. And experienced inmates try at this time to learn as much as possible about the person (the main thing is whether he is an “informer”).
In prison etiquette, it is customary to address people as “you” even with those who are older and more authoritative than others; the use of nicknames and diminutive forms of names is permissible.
Politeness is very important. She should not be ingratiating, but a friendly attitude, honesty and kind deeds will not go unnoticed and will definitely return a hundredfold. Try your best to learn to understand the people in the same cell with you, to find a common language with them. However, it is better to replace words of politeness accepted in the civilian world with synonyms accepted specifically in prison. For example, instead of “thank you” - “thank you” or “appreciate”, instead of “please” - “if possible”.
Try to politely but firmly refuse offers to “play for fun”, even if you are 100% sure of winning. It’s one thing to play outside, another thing to play in prison, and in this case cheating and deception are encouraged. But it is unlikely that you will be able to beat a professional cheater or reasonably convict him of deception. So it’s better not to gamble at all than to make your life in a cell unbearable due to unpaid gambling debts.
You should not use a mobile phone unless absolutely necessary, because you will need to pay for the call and put a certain amount into the common fund.
Under no circumstances take more funds from the common fund than you can deposit. Sooner or later you will have to pay for unfulfilled promises.
Never promise things that are obviously impossible to fulfill (large investments in the common fund, etc.).
Don't get into debt, financial or otherwise. Prison laws only recognize gambling debts.
Examples of dangerous words
There are words in the prison lexicon, the use of which can even threaten life-threatening consequences, since the meaning of ordinary words here acquires its own extraordinary concepts. Let's look at some of them.
“Ask” is one of the most dangerous words that can be used for provocation. According to prisoners, in prison you should not ask, but be interested. And “asking” in prison means holding someone accountable or punishing them for something.
You cannot use the word “offend” and all words with the same root. The word “offend” in the criminal world means “to put down”, so it should not be uttered in prison.
You cannot say “witness”; it is better to replace it with the synonym “eyewitness”.
Once again about “thank you” - it’s better to say “thank you” or “from the bottom of my heart.”
The word “I will prove” is dangerous; in response they may say: “Are you one of the lawyers?” It’s better to say “justify.”
You cannot say “goodbye” and many other polite words that can be listed for a long time.
Prison hygiene
Even to relieve yourself in a prison cell you need to be able to politely. Typically, each cell is equipped with a hygienic corner where there is a toilet and sink. The inhabitants of the cell often try to isolate it from the rest of the cell space with curtains, which, of course, cannot prevent the spread of sounds and smell, but create at least a visual feeling of a secluded place. That is why, during inspections, security guards tear down homemade curtains so that the prisoner can fully feel the “unhomely” environment. But this is also done for safety reasons - so that in a secluded space no one tries to open their veins or hang themselves with a curtain rope.
Prison etiquette requires that you thoroughly wash your hands after using the toilet. Washing hands in a prison environment is almost ritualistic in nature: if hands touch the genitals and are not washed, not only the hands, but also all the objects they touched are considered “washed” or “washed.” A prisoner who shakes such a hand becomes “offended,” and a slob who has not washed his hands can be “slapped” with a fist without explanation (especially if this is not the first time this has happened).
When one of the cellmates relieves himself, no one in the cell should drink or eat. Even if there is candy in your mouth at that moment, it is considered “dirty” and must be thrown away immediately.
Conversely, if they are eating in the cell, visiting the hygiene corner is prohibited, except in cases in cells that are too large (sometimes 50 or more people), where it is physically difficult to adhere to such conditions.
The main rule that should be strictly adhered to in prison is not to get into trouble and not to go against the rules accepted by its inhabitants.
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