Jail or a deserted island (1 Viewer)

[Terminalxylem]

Yeah, prison rape and violence are not a made up thing.  They are totally real.  And on the rise.  Prison is not a nice place.  It is filled with rival gang members who are forced to live with each other.  And no matter who you are, once in jail, you're forced to choose a side.  

The stats are all over the place:

Prison rape commonly refers to the rape of inmates in prison by other inmates or prison staff. In 2001, Human Rights Watch estimated that at least 140,000 inmates had been raped while incarcerated in the United States.[1] A United States Department of Justice report, Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates, states that "In 2011–12, an estimated 4.0% of state and federal prison inmates and 3.2% of jail inmates reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by another inmate or facility staff in the past 12 months or since admission to the facility, if less than 12 months."[2] However, advocates dispute the accuracy of the numbers, saying they seem to under-report the real numbers of sexual assaults in prison, especially among juveniles.[3]

A meta-analysis published in 2004 found a prevalence rate of 1.91% with a 95% confidence interval between 1.37–2.46%.[4] In a survey of 1,788 male inmates in Midwestern prisons by Prison Journal, about 21% claimed they had been coerced or pressured into sexual activity during their incarceration, and 7% claimed that they had been raped in their current facility.[5] According to the study conducted by the United States Department of Justice for the year 2006, there were 2,205 allegations of inmate-on-inmate non-consensual sexual acts reported in the U.S. prison system, 262 of which were substantiated.[6]

Another Wikipedia entry estimates 20% of inmates have been subjected to violence, including rape. I think the likelihood of dying of infection or exposure on island is greater.

But none of that would factor into my decision. Assuming you could master sustainable survivalism on the island, I think just about anyone would go crazy from lack of human interaction/connection to society. Once all your chores are done, what’s a castaway to do? Coconut bowling and masturbation can only take you so far.

 

[TheIronSheik]

The stats are all over the place:

Another Wikipedia entry estimates 20% of inmates have been subjected to violence, including rape. I think the likelihood of dying of infection or exposure on island is greater.

But none of that would factor into my decision. Assuming you could master sustainable survivalism on the island, I think just about anyone would go crazy from lack of human interaction/connection to society. Once all your chores are done, what’s a castaway to do? Coconut bowling and masturbation can only take you so far.

To each his own, but I'll take living on a beach with clear blue water and no one bothering me over a 1 in 5 chance of having a shiv/penis inserted into me.

 

[Worm]

To each his own, but I'll take living on a beach with clear blue water and no one bothering me over a 1 in 5 chance of having a shiv/penis inserted into me.

But... but...but... you could *talk* to them as they did it!!!

 

[shadrap]

The 7th Indian? Also, I was told there would be no math on this island.

ever hear about the Seattle Six?   I was the 5th guy.

Lewbowski

 

[NREC34]

Amelia Earhart chose the island

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Cool. 

And I get that loneliness and isolation are not a walk in the park. The longest I spent alone in the wild was a month during my college years.

Agreed. I do not choose to make it my life style. I like my house in the city. I like to hear the traffic in the dark of night and know that others are out there - near by. I like my neighbors; I like my family; and I like people in general. 

Ah. I have not read that. 

Fair point - but, if you had told the locals that his only other option was to live a full term life sentence in prison - with no parole - do you believe they all would have thought the same?

Bugs?

Wait! Have you ever been coated in mud? It's far worse than any bug I've encountered - EXCEPT for hungry horse flies.

As for the sun, make a palm leaf hat - it is much prettier than mud too.

When you were alone during college, did you bring any reading material? What made you return to society?

I dislike people far more than you, but no way I’m isolating myself indefinitely.

Best known as a Short story Into the Wild was also made into a movie, but the book is Here 

Doesn’t matter what the local think of McCandless either way, but I thought it was interesting talking to people that really lived an isolated existence.

There’s a reason mud baths exist, while immersing oneself in biting flies, ants and centipedes is far less popular.

1) The only reading material I had was an Army Survival Guide, a First Aid Guide and local maps. This was in the late 80's - before "online" would have helped in any way. I returned because I had a job at the University and Summer Session was about to start. Also, 1 month was plenty of time alone for me at the time. I was still learning my survival skills and was really ready for some home cooked meals from my mom.

2) I will never isolate myself indefinitely UNLESS my only other option is prison - for life.

3) I will check the story out; thnx. 

4) Yeah - McCandless is just a fun detour. As I stated originally, I think this is all relative. We each have our own answers that are equally valid for ourselves - if not valid for others.

5) I was mostly joking about the mud. But, if I had to be serious --- I would say that in 50 years of some pretty "deep woods" treks, I have only once encountered a situation where I would have preferred mud to the insects. That "once", was as a youngster in a mountain stream that was over-run with biting horseflies. I did not do the "mud trick", but I would have tried if possible.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Now this is coming from a guy who is a Type One Diabetic and I take four shots a day.  I would be the shortest lived contestant in either environment---"Oh look Jester died. Oh well."  

I feel ya. I am a type 2.

I make enough of my own insulin to survive, but my life would definitely hindered and shortened without good medical care.

Now that @TheIronSheik is allowing us to bring an item, I choose an industrial sized medical/survival kit that is geared towards diabetics on deserted islands.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

I think just about anyone would go crazy from lack of human interaction/connection to society. Once all your chores are done, what’s a castaway to do? Coconut bowling and masturbation can only take you so far.

I will not argue most things, because I don't know people well enough to know what they can and can't handle.

But, this:

I think just about anyone would go crazy from lack of human interaction/connection to society.

... I don't agree with - not entirely. I'm sure plenty of people would go crazy, but I do not believe it is "just about anyone".

Also, prison ain't exactly great for keeping sane either. As I touched upon in an earlier post about my experiences on probation and in the court system - much of the goal of the "system" is to break down the individual's ego and have them submit to the authority of their "handlers". In reality, this can be a pretty ugly and mean spirited affair, since most involved don't really understand the process and what can go wrong. Also, as humans, the need to dominate is never really lost.

The Stanford Prison Experiment really opened up a lot of people's eyes about the subtle abuses that can occur besides the more talked about raping and shanking.

My own experiences (tho limited) in the "system" lead me to the Island 100% of the time.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

To each his own, but I'll take living on a beach with clear blue water and no one bothering me over a 1 in 5 chance of having a shiv/penis inserted into me.

And when you do the math there is at least a 1 in 25 chance of both being inserted into me.  At the same time.

 

[TheIronSheik]

And when you do the math there is at least a 1 in 25 chance of both being inserted into me.  At the same time.

There's no math on this island, pal.  

 

[Terminalxylem]

I will not argue most things, because I don't know people well enough to know what they can and can't handle.

But, this:

... I don't agree with - not entirely. I'm sure plenty of people would go crazy, but I do not believe it is "just about anyone".

Also, prison ain't exactly great for keeping sane either. As I touched upon in an earlier post about my experiences on probation and in the court system - much of the goal of the "system" is to break down the individual's ego and have them submit to the authority of their "handlers". In reality, this can be a pretty ugly and mean spirited affair, since most involved don't really understand the process and what can go wrong. Also, as humans, the need to dominate is never really lost.

The Stanford Prison Experiment really opened up a lot of people's eyes about the subtle abuses that can occur besides the more talked about raping and shanking.

My own experiences (tho limited) in the "system" lead me to the Island 100% of the time.

Fair enough. I think everyone has their breaking point, and eventually the island would be the harder place to survive for most.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

There's no math on this island, pal.  

Well pal, coming from you that adds up.

 

[EYLive]

Tough call. The isolation on an island would be difficult to bear after a few weeks, and I don't even like people and am a borderline hermit.
But I also don't want to be buttraped repeatedly by my boyfriends. 

I choose prison I guess.

 

[Mister CIA]

Fair enough. I think everyone has their breaking point, and eventually the island would be the harder place to survive for most.

Said no man ever, while being violated.

 

[Mister CIA]

I don't know how solitary confinement works in prison, but if I had basic comforts: toilet, sink, access to showers, a rack, plain food, basic climate control, and unlimited access to reading material - I'd volunteer for a 3-month sample, today (with player renewal options, of course)

ETA: and comfortable sweats, with jailhouse stripes!.  MUST HAVE

 

[El Floppo]

Polar bears, boars, and spiders that when they bite you can mimic death for a couple of hours.  Other than that, just normal island wildlife.

can these spiders learn any other tricks? or is playing dead it? 

if I can do the island for as long of a stretch as I can handle and then go to jail, it would be that.

as much as I'm an island guy when it comes to vacations, the island would be too much of a closed system for my own life without anybody else or ability to gather new external information. I'd want the human contact (no rape, tia) and learning that living in society would provide- books, infomercials, the whole nine. 

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

can these spiders learn any other tricks? or is playing dead it? 

if I can do the island for as long of a stretch as I can handle and then go to jail, it would be that.

as much as I'm an island guy when it comes to vacations, the island would be too much of a closed system for my own life without anybody else or ability to gather new external information. I'd want the human contact (no rape, tia) and learning that living in society would provide- books, infomercials, the whole nine. 

But think of all the experimental sand castles and sand cities that you could build. You could study the local wild life for inspiration in your designs. Your home could be a web or a nest.

You could then study the stars, planets, sun and moon to align your cities according to the cardinal directions.

You would then - of course - need to design and build your own pyramid - pointing to whatever constellation you want. 

Then, with the help of some funny looking island cacti, you could "sleep" in your pyramid and journey to the stars - to meet the little people. They look like plasma and laugh a whole lot.

And then ... wait ... did someone mention crazy?

 

[Man In The Box]

I don't know how solitary confinement works in prison, but if I had basic comforts: toilet, sink, access to showers, a rack, plain food, basic climate control, and unlimited access to reading material - I'd volunteer for a 3-month sample, today (with player renewal options, of course)

ETA: and comfortable sweats, with jailhouse stripes!.  MUST HAVE

You probably “get” most of the above but you’re in a cell the size of a big closet and there are no windows. It’s the worst punishment (outside of being executed) in the penal system for a reason. 

I have two young kids and a decent life insurance policy, so the island would be my choice. My life would basically be over either way, so at least they’d be better off financially once I’m declared dead.  

Pretty morbid thread idea. I like it 

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

You probably “get” most of the above but you’re in a cell the size of a big closet and there are no windows.

Man, you in a Box!

 

[Eephus]

Would I get to take the customary ten albums to the island?

 

[jhib]

But none of that would factor into my decision. Assuming you could master sustainable survivalism on the island, I think just about anyone would go crazy from lack of human interaction/connection to society. Once all your chores are done, what’s a castaway to do? Coconut bowling and masturbation can only take you so far.

Tame and train a couple of boars.  Learn the language.  Become a veritable Dr. Doolittle.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Tame and train a couple of boars.  Learn the language.  Become a veritable Dr. Doolittle.

Yeah, I think a pet would help to pass the time, and make the prospects of prison rape a bit less tolerable.

 

[Chaka]

I've seen Oz. #### prison!

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Tame and train a couple of boars.  Learn the language.  Become a veritable Dr. Doolittle.

Great point.

Yeah, I think a pet would help to pass the time, and make the prospects of prison rape a bit less tolerable.

Agreed. And it does not even need to be a "good" pet.

I uploaded these earlier for another thread, but think they fit nicely here:

1) Widow in web

2) Widow under branch

I had to get rid of this gal when she produced an egg sack that potentially had young. We caught quite a few over the years in the log cabin that we used the most. For the most part, these kinda things want to avoid us as much as we do them. We just need to check and clean the environment before settling down. At first, I was stressed and fearful. But after about a decade with no problems, I realized that "bug fear" is mostly fear ...

... EXCEPT for mosquitoes and other disease transmitting critters. Those could be a problem if this Island is exotic to previous exposures. My one item - Survival/Medical Kit - will have means to control potential pests of this nature. I hope.

An island this size has got to have some excellent wild life to explore.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Great point.

Agreed. And it does not even need to be a "good" pet.

I uploaded these earlier for another thread, but think they fit nicely here:

1) Widow in web

2) Widow under branch

I had to get rid of this gal when she produced an egg sack that potentially had young. We caught quite a few over the years in the log cabin that we used the most. For the most part, these kinda things want to avoid us as much as we do them. We just need to check and clean the environment before settling down. At first, I was stressed and fearful. But after about a decade with no problems, I realized that "bug fear" is mostly fear ...

... EXCEPT for mosquitoes and other disease transmitting critters. Those could be a problem if this Island is exotic to previous exposures. My one item - Survival/Medical Kit - will have means to control potential pests of this nature. I hope.

An island this size has got to have some excellent wild life to explore.

Pigs are supposed to be good pets - I’ve heard of people domesticating wild boars where I live.

Insects/arachnids don’t bother me. But you’re right about mosquitoes being the most dangerous.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Pigs are supposed to be good pets - I’ve heard of people domesticating wild boars where I live.

Insects/arachnids don’t bother me. But you’re right about mosquitoes being the most dangerous.

Yeah. I've heard pigs and boars are dog level smart *or higher* in most things. 

If you don't mind me asking - where do you live? I am in Louisville, KY and most all of my experiences are in KY. Thus, I need to note that I may be surprised by things on this island.

Spiders were my biggest fear as a child. Thus it took me the longest time to accept them near me. I have also had many many many Brown Recluse spiders as pets. They are the only other spider species that is truly dangerous to humans in my area. 

 

[Terminalxylem]

Yeah. I've heard pigs and boars are dog level smart *or higher* in most things. 

If you don't mind me asking - where do you live? I am in Louisville, KY and most all of my experiences are in KY. Thus, I need to note that I may be surprised by things on this island.

Spiders were my biggest fear as a child. Thus it took me the longest time to accept them near me. I have also had many many many Brown Recluse spiders as pets. They are the only other spider species that is truly dangerous to humans in my area. 

Strangely enough, I already live on an island - Oahu.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Strangely enough, I already live on an island - Oahu.

Sweet!

My pop was in the Coast Guard in the late 50's (84 yo now) and was stationed on Oahu for a while. 

We visited as a family in '81 - I believe. Waikiki was a lot different then ... from what I can recall ... compared to what I see on TV/net today.

Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial were mandatory visits. The small boats we were in let us see much of the harbor. My favorite part of the trip was a helicopter tour over Diamond Head. My mom is not much of an outdoors type person, so we did not do anything too "wild".

Your ecosystem is a lot different than what I am used to. I have visited Costa Rica and backwoods Canada as well - otherwise, SE USA is my comfort zone.

Also, I now recall a near death experience I had that I believe came from my "nature exposure". In 2000, I had to have a pericardiectomy (all except for a band that contains the nerves to control the heart) because of fluid build up that threatened congestive heart failure. The docs never found a specific cause, but I was treated for both TB and Histoplasmosis. (Which, oddly enough, resulted in a lengthy isolation period during which only the docs, nurses and clergy were allowed to see me - and was much worse than a month alone in nature.)

The best guess is that I was exposed to something in the wild that resulted in histo or similar. 

So, I already have lost one battle in this regard. I do not doubt the dangers.

 

[TheIronSheik]

You probably “get” most of the above but you’re in a cell the size of a big closet and there are no windows. It’s the worst punishment (outside of being executed) in the penal system for a reason. 

I have two young kids and a decent life insurance policy, so the island would be my choice. My life would basically be over either way, so at least they’d be better off financially once I’m declared dead.  

Pretty morbid thread idea. I like it 

Odd that the Man in The Box chose the island over being a man in the box. 

 

[Arizona Ron]

In jail  you can read books, interact with other people, have visitors, serviceable food, healthcare and even have limited internet access.  Sounds a lot better then two miles of nothingness - I'd go crazy. 

 

[Foosball God]

Odd that the Man in The Box chose the island over being a man in the box. 

Won't you come and save him?