Incarcerated individuals sharing a cell are commonly known in the outside world as cellmates, but in prison they’re called cellies, and if you ask any prisoner about having a celly they’ll tell you how important it is to have a good one. Just like roommates in the outside world, you must learn to live together, but unlike in a house or apartment there is no space within a cell to decompress and call your own.
Different lifestyles, personalities, age gaps, gang affiliations, crimes, mental illnesses and other significant differences just don’t work in such close proximities like cells. Cells vary, but the one I’m in is approximately 5ft x 9ft with two bunks, two desks with stools, and contains appliances and property belonging to my celly and I. There is not enough room for us to walk by each other, if one is up the other needs to be seated.
So again, it is important to have a good Celly that you’re compatible with, because small issues can immediately become large issues. Altercations between cellies can occur over anything! Such as how loud someone snores, personalities, talking too damn much, the volume of their TV, not cleaning up after oneself, sleeping all day, never leaving the cell, personal hygiene, good/bad habits, and other things that roommates in the outside world don’t necessarily need to worry about due to having their own space.
I have seen best friends and even brothers fall out over becoming cellies. Just because you’re related or get along great doesn’t always mean you can coexist in a cell together for years, months, or even a matter of days. A good celly situation is one in which both cellies are comfortable, have similar interests and backgrounds such as length of time spent incarcerated, affiliations, age, and crime. Differences aren’t usually a big deal, but an individual’s crime is important. Sex offences and crimes against children are never compatible with murder, assault, burglary, drug offences, etc.
When living in such close proximity to another person being compatible isn’t just for the sake of getting along, but it’s very important for safety reasons as well. Even if cellies don’t get along there needs to be respect between the two as the cell should be a peaceful space for both cellies. A cell isn’t just a shared space, but one that needs to be a reprieve from prison itself. Having a good celly can make all the difference in how someone gets through their time spent incarcerated.
Sometimes you can pick who your celly is, but there are some factors to consider in determining who that might be. Personally, I look at their age, personality, how they choose to do their time, and their crime. I like to believe that I am ambitious, optimistic, and goal/growth oriented, so celling up with someone who is lazy and negative won’t work. A good celly can be hard to come by.
If you can’t find anyone that you’re willing to live in such close proximity with then the facility will find somebody to place in the cell with you. This will be done almost immediately and, in most cases, – exceptions being in closed and medium custody levels – it will be someone random and decided without any consideration of age, crime, mental health, affiliations, or anything else.
Fears I have when receiving a celly that I didn’t select is someone who talks too much. Talking through TV shows, movies, talking as soon as I walk into the cell, talking while I’m reading or studying, talking when I’m trying to sleep, talking as soon as I get up in the morning, talking, talking, talking. I also can’t express how important personal space is, which leads me to my next fear – someone who won’t let the cell breathe!
Letting the cell breathe means to get out of the cell. Some people stay inside the cell and never go anywhere or do anything, except watch TV all day. Cellies need to allow each other to have their space and time alone in the cell throughout the day. Having personal space to decompress, breathe, and think is essential in emotionally and mentally escaping/handling this place.
Lastly, establish rules within the cell. Some good rules to live by are as follows:
– Don’t touch what isn’t yours.
– Don’t look through mail or pictures that don’t belong to you.
– Always ask, never assume.
– Clean up after yourself.
– Let the cell breathe.
– Be mindful.
– “10 to 10” This basically means to being quiet from 10pm to 10am and is a universal understanding within prison.
– Don’t bring unnecessary attention and drama to the cell.
– Respect each other’s personal space.
– Maintain good hygienic practices or routines.
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