10 Questionable Items Every Convict Needs To Survive in Prison

Surviving in prison isn’t just about physical endurance – it’s about adapting to a world where resources are limited, danger lurks around every corner, and creativity becomes a lifeline. Inmates often rely on certain essential items to navigate daily life, protect themselves, and even maintain some semblance of humanity. These aren’t luxury goods; they’re tools of survival, innovation, and resilience. Here are ten items every convict needs to survive in prison.

1. Razor Blades: The Ultimate Multi-Tool

A razor blade might seem trivial, but in prison, its versatility makes it invaluable. Inmates use razor blades for a myriad of tasks. Need to sharpen a pencil for writing? The blade slices through wood with precision. Preparing food like garlic or other commissary snacks? A razor blade handles the job easily. Even opening tightly sealed packages becomes simpler with this tool.

However, its importance doesn’t stop at convenience. Razor blades are also used to create or modify other objects, such as crafting makeshift tools or repairing damaged items. Prisoners must get creative to acquire and hide these blades. Disassembling disposable razors provided for shaving is a common tactic. By carefully taking them apart and concealing the sharp edge, inmates ensure they always have access to this multipurpose tool.

2. Books: Entertainment and Concealment

Books offer more than just a mental escape in prison – they are lifelines for education, distraction, and even survival. Reading material provides a chance to learn new skills, delve into legal research, or simply escape into a fictional world to endure the monotony and stress of incarceration. Books keep the mind sharp, offering a sense of progress even in the confines of a cell.

But books also serve a practical, less obvious purpose: concealment. Inmates often hollow out the covers to create hidden compartments for contraband like drugs, small tools, or notes. The glossy pages of magazines, particularly those used for advertisements, can be repurposed into sealing materials or scenting strips for personal hygiene before visits. Books become more than objects of leisure—they’re versatile survival tools that adapt to the needs of the moment.

3. Styrofoam Cups: Not Just for Drinking

Styrofoam cups handed out during meals may seem disposable, but inmates have found countless ways to make them indispensable. One of the most ingenious uses involves turning them into makeshift speakers. By cutting strategic holes into the sides and placing small radio speakers inside, prisoners amplify the sound, creating a DIY stereo system. It’s a clever hack that transforms a mundane item into a source of entertainment.

Unfortunately, these cups have a darker side. Some inmates use them to concoct unpleasant mixtures of waste and liquid, often left to ferment, as a form of retaliation against guards or other prisoners. While this use is far from noble, it highlights how even the simplest items can take on extreme significance in a place where every interaction carries weight. On a more positive note, styrofoam cups remain a staple for less controversial purposes, showcasing the adaptability of the incarcerated.

4. Suitcases: A Hidden Transport System

In the prison world, a “suitcase” isn’t a piece of luggage – it’s a discreet way to transport and store essential or contraband items. Typically made from hollowed-out objects like toothbrush holders, suitcases are designed to be concealed on the body to bypass searches. These hidden compartments are used to carry items such as notes (called kites), small weapons like shanks, or even drugs.

While it might sound extreme, this method of concealment can be critical for inmates involved in illicit trades or those simply trying to safeguard personal possessions. The craft behind creating a reliable suitcase demonstrates the lengths inmates go to protect themselves and their assets. It’s not a glamorous item, but in the high-stakes environment of prison, its utility cannot be overstated.

5. A Shank: Protection and Survival

Safety is a constant concern in prison, and for many inmates, having a shank is as much about peace of mind as it is about protection. A shank can be made from nearly anything – a bolt from a bed frame, a piece of metal scraped from a wall, or even hardened plastic. These makeshift weapons are carefully crafted, often with wooden or wrapped handles for easier grip.

In maximum-security facilities, where violence is a daily reality, possessing a shank can mean the difference between life and death. While it’s a controversial tool, the harsh truth is that inmates often feel safer knowing they have something to defend themselves with. This grim necessity underscores the survival instincts developed in such high-pressure environments.

6. Radios and Headphones: A Lifeline to the Outside

In prison, radios and headphones are not just luxuries – they’re actual lifesavers. The ability to tune into music, news, or sports provides inmates with a connection to the outside world, offering a sense of normalcy in an otherwise isolating environment. Radios also act as a form of entertainment, helping to pass the long hours and easing the mental strain of confinement.

Headphones add a layer of privacy, allowing inmates to enjoy their audio without bothering or drawing attention from others. This small sense of individuality and peace can make a huge difference in maintaining morale, making radios and headphones some of the most prized possessions behind bars.

7. Cigarettes: Currency of the Cellblock

Even in prisons where smoking is banned, cigarettes continue to function as one of the most reliable forms of currency. A single cigarette can be broken down into smaller portions and traded for food, favors, or even protection. The value of tobacco has skyrocketed in recent years, with cartons reportedly costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars in some facilities.

Beyond smoking, cigarette cellophane plays a surprising role in prison life. By manipulating the material with batteries, inmates can create sparks to light fires, a valuable skill in an environment where traditional lighters are unavailable. Cigarettes remain a symbol of resourcefulness and adaptability, demonstrating how even the smallest items can hold enormous value.

8. Tattoo Guns: Creativity Unleashed

Tattooing is a major part of prison culture, with many inmates using tattoos to tell their stories, mark affiliations, or simply pass the time creatively. Tattoo guns are often crafted from toothbrushes, motors salvaged from electric devices, and sharpened guitar strings. These handmade machines are a testament to the ingenuity of inmates, transforming everyday materials into intricate tools.

Though tattoos carry risks in prison—particularly due to unsanitary conditions—the art form persists as a deeply personal expression of identity and resilience. It’s not just about decoration; it’s about leaving a mark in a place where individuality can feel stripped away.

9. Shaving Kits: More Than Meets the Eye

Shaving kits, especially electric razors, are another item with hidden potential in prison. While their primary purpose is obvious, the motor inside can be removed and repurposed to power tattoo guns or other devices. Inmates meticulously disassemble these kits to salvage valuable components, demonstrating their ability to adapt everyday items to their needs.

The ingenuity doesn’t stop there – razor handles and cases are often repurposed for storage or crafting. Shaving kits highlight the endless creativity that emerges when necessity drives innovation, making them a valuable asset for anyone doing time.

10. Your Brain: The Most Important Tool

Above all else, the most critical tool for surviving prison is mental strength. Intelligence, adaptability, and communication skills are often more valuable than physical strength. Knowing when to assert yourself, when to stay quiet, and how to navigate social dynamics can mean the difference between a smooth sentence and constant conflict.

Prison is a high-pressure environment where thinking ahead and staying calm are vital. It’s not just about surviving the day – it’s about playing the long game, avoiding unnecessary trouble, and making choices that ensure a safer, more manageable experience.

Survival Through Ingenuity and Resilience

Prison life strips away luxuries, but it fosters remarkable creativity and adaptability. These ten items, from books to shanks, show how inmates transform the mundane into essential tools for survival. They also reveal the resilience and ingenuity that define life behind bars. In a world of limitations, these essentials become lifelines, proving that survival is as much about resourcefulness as it is about endurance.