how is chess inside a correctional institute?

For quite some time I have had a great interest in what chess is like inside a correctional institute. How are games organized? Is it casual play among inmates? Do they have organized tourneys? Do they have titled players come inside and give demos? Are there coaches brought in? Where do the games usually take place? Outside in the courtyard or in a room somewhere in the facilities? I ask because in a few days I will be sentenced to the slammer. I just went through a lenghty trial. You might find it odd why I would be inquiring about chess at this time. Some people want to write, teach, learn on the inside etc, all I want to do is play chess.

Sorry dude, consolations.

Prison is famous for chess.

I've played against several prison players, I'm sure. An adrenaline junkie bank robber once told me this crazy story about how he won a $5,000 game against a master in prison.

What crime did you commit?

Prison in what country? The answer really depends on the country

They play at chess.com 

You should have a computer or an iPhone in your room. It is your choice, so I've heard. 

Can I choose instead to have a welder in my room, which can weld through metal bars? Not that I would use it for anything of course.

As long as you promise 

 The OP is just trolling;  https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-players/i-played-chess-in-prison-for-6-years                                                                                      https://www.chess.com/forum/view/community/my-chess-time-in-san-quentin-prison                                                                                                                                       https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/popularity-of-chess-in-prison                                                                                                                                  https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/chess-in-prison---where-i-am-going                                                                                                                                  https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/local-chess-instructor-sentenced-to-8-12-years-in-prison

I hate liars.

Wow... so he's at least the third chess.com member to go to prison. Maybe I shouldn't spend so much time on this site...

I know it's a troll, but it's still interesting.

I knew a guy who made some money giving talks, teaching chess in prisons. He was rated something like 1400. Apparently prisoners are manipulative, but friendly (at least in small doses I guess).

I've also heard of guys using disposable cups, bowls, and utensils to make a board and pieces to play with their cellmate. Even as simple as 32 upside down cups on the floor with a letter written on the side to identify the piece.

this guy could have helped the op.  but he's no longer here.  unless he is the op ...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/chess-in-the-military

macer75 wrote:

Nadamisogynist wrote:

You should have a computer or an iPhone in your room. It is your choice, so I've heard. 

Can I choose instead to have a welder in my room, which can weld through metal bars? Not that I would use it for anything of course.

****

If you get incarcerated I'll bring you a cake with a file hidden inside.

Aww... that's so sweet of you!

Before I am sent there, I want to know what the chess format is. Also, is coaching paid for by the government, or is it coming out of my bank account?

this is old.  one of the other threads- the dude said he got a nice computer for online chess- and the works.

 

you'd think he went to a chess camp.

 

I don't its that good.  and as others imply. its probably really hard to find/have pieces.

[COMMENT DELETED]

It's pretty common as long as the zone you're on has a board. Most guys are more interested in cards or dominoes, but there's a healthy appreciation for chess as well. We had a few tournaments for canteen, nothing super organized though.

I've seen in a documentary about prisons how prisoners have boards drawn on pieces of paper and they shout out their moves to each other from the cell. Also if they behave they can go to a recreational area and borrow chess. They'd never be given a chess set to own because I think they'll immediately make that plastic into weapons.