Preparing for Prison: Seeking Advice on Staying Focused and Healthy During a 3-Year Sentence
As my court case moves forward, I'm preparing for the possibility of serving a minimum prison sentence of three years. I'll likely be placed in a state prison, where Muslim inmates are rare since most Muslims tend to be in federal prisons due to charges like terrorism or financial fraud. My plan is to dedicate this time to intense memorization work. Specifically, I aim to memorize at least 2,000 ahadeeth and complete the memorization of the Quran. I've already memorized nearly half of the Quran, with 10 ajzaa well reviewed, and I need to rememorize the remaining five. Currently, I memorize about a hizb weekly, and I believe I can maintain this pace in prison, alongside reviewing five ajzaa each day. Additionally, I want to memorize three ahadeeth daily, starting with Umdatul Ahkaam, then Bulugh Al Maram, followed by Riyadh As Saliheen, and, if possible, Saheeh Al Bukhari afterward. I'm reaching out to brothers who have experienced prison life and understand how the system operates. I seek advice on how to maintain focus on my memorization goals and treat this period like a full-time memorization school without wasting time. Previously, I requested protective custody while in jail, but I noticed it affected my mental and physical health negatively—being confined alone in a small cell with only one hour outside to shower, and never even getting fresh air. However, not requesting protective custody means sharing facilities with non-Muslims, including bathrooms, which can be unhygienic and disrespectful, even among some Muslim inmates who do not observe religious concerns. What strategies would you recommend for maintaining both mental and physical health in prison while minimizing contact with non-Muslims?