Prison Family | National Geographic

TL;DR

Women in the prison form surrogate families in which vulnerable inmates become daughters or nieces and dominant inmates such as Terrell act as fathers or uncles. Terrell, who is serving 30 years to life for murder, says she has adopted 30 young inmates and trades food and protection for chores and obedience. Read on to understand how these roles provide support while reinforcing Terrell’s control.

Transcript

Terrell serving 30 to life for a murder charge and she's one of O rw's most notorious inmates every dorm has what we call the players the people who are being abusive or aggressive to people and Dory is one of those those those individuals quit doing that I swear to God I'm cussing you out later on but Terrell's kind of power sets her apart from th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🕵️‍♀️ Female inmates in prison establish surrogate families with distinct roles and hierarchies.
• 👨 Vulnerable inmates become daughters and nieces, while more dominant inmates assume the role of fathers or uncles.
• ✊ Terrell's power comes from her ability to provide protection to her adopted family members and establish control.
• 🥺 Prison families offer a sense of belonging and survival in an environment where rivalries can lead to violence.
• 🧡 Relationships between inmates range from familial connections to romantic partnerships.
• 👪 Power dynamics within prison families mimic patterns experienced in traditional families, where authority and control are exercised by dominant individuals.
• 💱 Inmates trade support, loyalty, and obedience in exchange for protection and guidance from dominant inmates.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do female inmates create families and roles within the prison?

Female inmates form surrogate families and assume distinct roles rather than simply creating cliques. Vulnerable inmates may become daughters or nieces, more masculine women may be nephews or brothers, and dominant inmates such as Terrell may act as fathers or uncles.

Q: Who is Terrell in National Geographic’s “Prison Family”?

Terrell is described as one of the prison’s most notorious inmates and is serving 30 years to life for a murder charge. She leads a prison pseudo-family and says she likes being at the center and in control.

Q: Why do inmates form surrogate families in prison?

Close relationships are described as important to inmates’ survival in a dorm where rivalries can lead to violence. Terrell’s family gives younger or more vulnerable inmates protection, guidance, and a sense that someone is there for them.

Q: How many young inmates has Terrell adopted into her prison family?

Terrell has adopted 30 young inmates into her surrogate family. She refers to members as her daughters, nephews, brothers, or other family roles.

Q: What does Terrell provide to members of her prison family?

Terrell offers protection and may obtain or buy food when an inmate’s family is not sending anything. She also gives advice, describing it as the kind someone might receive from a father or uncle.

Q: What does Terrell expect in return for food and protection?

Family members are expected to cook, clean, wash dishes, and obey Terrell’s authority. Terrell calls the arrangement a trade or a give-and-take relationship rather than saying she uses them.

Q: Why do inmates call Terrell a father or uncle instead of a mother or aunt?

Terrell says inmates call her Uncle Dory, Uncle, or Dad because she is very aggressive. Her dominant position and masculine family role place her at the head of the pseudo-family.

Q: Are all close inmate relationships presented as prison families?

No. The transcript says relationships range from cliques like Terrell’s to romantic couples. One couple describes mutual care: one partner cooks, makes the bed, and follows directions, while the other provides protection and care.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Terrell is a notorious inmate serving a 30-year sentence for murder, known for her power and control within the prison.

• In the Women's World of prison, inmates create families with distinct roles, with Terrell being the head of a pseudo family.

• Terrell adopts young inmates into her surrogate family, offering protection in exchange for loyalty, obedience, and household chores.