Briefly let me say that it's important to secure any and all rules, policies, and other materials governing the unit. Ascertain the chain of command and mentally note as much as possible about the habits of the staff, their attitudes and anything else that can give you an edge in staying prepared. Once you have learned the set, identified fellow cadre, you need to tie into or formulate means of communication for obvious reasons.

Physical Maintenance

Because of the long hours of confinement to the cells, everyone should discipline themselves to some type of vigorous workout/exercise routine on a regular basis. The prevailing attitude is to stay in shape or "combat ready," which is something we can't ignore. But the reality is that we are only able to do so much to combat the onslaught of five or six heavily padded guards in possession of various tools of incapacitation. So I see the discipline of exercise as a health necessity first and foremost. Regular exercise keeps the muscles toned, the cardiovascular system strong and helps to rid our bodies of "toxins and other impurities" that invade our bodies through food, water, and air-borne particles. Not being a physical health doctor, I cannot begin to address the many ways that one can maintain a high level of strength, endurance, and general well-being. But most of us are familiar with exercise routines that meet the needs of the areas spoken about. I suggest, though, that one should get some literature dealing specifically with stretching, calisthenics and how to meditate, as it, too, is a physical function.

Mental Maintenance

This area is beyond a doubt the most prevalent issue for concern, but I'm going to keep my thoughts on it simple and straight forward. First thing for me was making adjustment to the level of barbarity a lot of prisoners had succumbed to - throwing feces/urine, constantly verbally attacking each other and simply showing no restraint. So to stay mentally healthy I had to be realistic about what I could contribute to the immediate unit, in terms of combating the administration and the lack of collective solidarity.

Secondly, I immediately found out that the principled position and righteous behavior of a brother did not necessarily mean that I was immune to the personal verbal attacks, accusations of superiority, etc. Which let me know that just because the state labels us all as one, the philosophical, ethnic differences etc. are so extreme that identifying a primary enemy was not a given. So I suggest that one be particular about approaching arguments as peacemakers, that one really be about holding onto his decency because some Control Units are ripe with Psycho Babble day in and day out. So you can't realistically expect to influence it very much, and you stand the chance of getting "caught up," as they say, if you prioritize every contradiction.

It's important to learn the art of meditation, as I find that maintaining focus and concentration is solidified through meditation. I have also concluded that my study has got to be tempered with some leisure reading. It enables one to be vulnerable emotionally without jeopardizing his objective view of the struggle inside and outside. Some prisoners utilize the behavioral psychologists to deal with stress, under the guise of Anger Control. And where I choose not to incorporate myself in the state's offering, I don't condemn those that seek out information from them. Some people simply need somebody they can talk to. I can only say that when you don't respond as they wish, you may become a candidate for a psychotropic drug!

Time Management

A lot of prisoners operate on the concept of "passing time." This can be harmful to Control Unit prisoners. I say this because the concept itself is synonymous with bull-shitting, and that isn't healthy for those of us confined for years on end in Control Units or otherwise. So I have concluded that it's important for us to formulate some form of "time management." All one has to do is sit down with pen and paper and write out his daily activities for three days or so. If the individual is not involved in meaningful study, exercise, dialogue, etc., he quickly sees that his day is wasted aimlessly.

So one should list the things they are interested in doing, chart them according to time of day and length and institute this daily. Being mindful of when you're most alert for study, and appropriate times for exercise, meditation, etc. This may sound like something out of left field for some, or those that have never organized their lives or