I am sure I am one of the very few girls who hasn’t watched the series Orange is the New Black. But, I am currently reading the book. Like those who have binge watched the show, I have in a sense “binge read”. I have not been able to put the book down since I started. Now, Lord have mercy I never ever plan on going to prison. But just from reading this book, I think I’ve learned how to add a little glitter to those cell bars.

I am proud to say I have lived a somewhat sheltered life and had no clue of how the prison system worked. I just knew it was a horrible and depressing place where dangerous criminals went. In Danbury, Connecticut at “The Camp” it seems a little bit more like a hardcore Hampton Inn than the federal prison. Unfortunately, even in prison there is cliques. My luck I would sit with the wrong group which could turn out to be pretty bad for me. The cliques in “The Camp” ranged from “the Spanish mamis” to “The Suburbs”. Not quite sure where this little white country bumpkin would fit in there.

Everyone also has their assigned jobs. I feel like mine would have to be laundry because Lord knows I can’t do construction or electrical work and it would take a miracle to make prison food taste good. Although, I have learned there are many things you can make with a microwave and commissary food items. For those of you lacking in prison knowledge, the commissary is a sort of canteen where you can buy food and other items. These microwave dishes can range from desserts to fancy Spanish meals. But, you better make sure a guard doesn’t catch you using the microwave.

Oh, I almost forgot! Who in the world knew you could get a pedicure in prison? I didn’t think prisons were salon quality but heck I guess I was wrong! In the novel, at the Danbury Women’s Prison they had a designated inmate who gave pedicures and her payment was something bought at the commissary. Apparently, you could buy nail polish (now lets remember this is prison, so it’s not cute nail polish) at the commissary and then the other tools were contraband. At least your feet get to look sexy while you’re in there! You can also purchase samples of makeup but I doubt its Bare Minerals. You can even stay fit with the walking track and yoga classes. Maybe my job in prison could be designated stylist. Knowing there are a few style aspects gives me hope that you could find some contraband glitter to jazz up your orange jumpsuit.

Typically when we think of prison, we think of a living hell. I am not one hundred percent sure that everything Piper Kerman writes in her novel is true but if so, some prisons don’t add up to what I’ve pictured. Now don’t get me wrong, prison is no fancy hotel with a spa. It is a place of punishment, sadness, and sometimes violence. The women at Danbury Women’s Prison chose to have a different prison life. One where they face the consequences of their actions, learn to survive in not so great conditions, and try to keep their spirits up. Women who were once dangerous are changing their lives one day at a time by adding a little glitter to their cell bars.