Prison Family | National Geographic | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Terrell, a powerful inmate, establishes a prison family hierarchy where vulnerable inmates become daughters and nieces, and more dominant inmates like Terrell assume the role of father or uncle.

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.

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

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Terrell's power set her apart from other inmates?

Terrell's power comes from her role as the head of a prison pseudo family, where she assumes the role of a father or uncle. She provides protection and guidance to her adopted family members.

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

Female inmates go beyond forming cliques and instead create surrogate families. Inmates take on roles of daughters, nieces, brothers, and fathers, based on their vulnerability or dominance within the hierarchy.

Q: What does Terrell gain from adopting and taking care of young inmates?

Terrell gains loyalty, obedience, and household support from her adopted family members. They cook, clean, and do chores in exchange for her protection and guidance.

Q: How do the relationships between inmates in Terrell's family differ from biological families?

In Terrell's family, there is a clear exchange of roles and responsibilities. Terrell acts as a provider, and in return, her family members obey her and help with household tasks. It creates a power dynamic that differs from traditional familial relationships.

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.