Jail Etiquette 101: A Doctor’s Guide to Surviving Orange County

By: John Guidry

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to the jail in my 23 years of defending criminal cases. Let’s just say plenty. But I don’t know what it’s like to spend time behind bars, as I’m only an “official visitor.” Lucky for you, a dear friend of mine had the misfortune of being arrested. He was a doctor, a neighbor, and a good friend. He spent six months in the Orange County Jail before heading to prison, and he has a few things to say about his stay.

If you or a loved one are facing time, here is the unvarnished truth about what to expect behind bars.

Are you facing a sentence in the Orange County Jail?

Knowing the rules can save you more than just time. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.

Rule #1: Respect (The Golden Rule)

Much of my friend’s wisdom can be reduced to one cliché word: Respect. This isn’t the slang term used as a throwaway greeting. This is Jail Etiquette 101.

• The Balance: The best way to survive is to respect your fellow inmates and the corrections officers. However, you cannot wimp out at every confrontation. You must find the balance between standing up for yourself and respecting those around you.
• The Senior Discount: If you are over the age of 59 (like my doctor friend), you benefit from an unspoken “Age Discrimination” rule. If a younger inmate fights a senior, the younger inmate is automatically punished.
• The Consequence: Fighting lands you in “The Box” (or “The Shoe”) for 30 days. No recreation. No commissary. Just you and four walls.

The “Blues” and The Basic Care Kit

When you arrive at the Booking and Release Center (BRC), you are issued a Basic Care Kit:

• White boxers
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Soap
• Socks & Comb

The Uniform: You get a one-piece uniform known as the “Blues.”

• Laundry Schedule: Blues are changed twice a week. Sheets and pillowcases are changed once a week. Blankets? Once every six months. (Hope you like your own smell).

The Economy: Commissary & Health Care

In jail, cash is trash, but your Commissary Account is king.

• The Limit: You can order snacks, hygiene products, and extra clothing (shorts/t-shirts), but you are capped at $75 per week.
• The Trading Floor: Inmates routinely trade commissary items as currency. A bag of chips can buy a lot of favors.
• Medical Costs: Nothing is free. A visit to the nurse costs $7.00. A prescription costs $5.00. These funds are deducted directly from your commissary account. If you have no money, you still get treated, but you create a debt.

Privacy (Or Lack Thereof)

The Toilet Situation: How do you use the bathroom with 50 other guys watching?

• The Technique: In the cells, it is standard etiquette for an inmate to hold up a bedsheet as a visual barrier while his cellmate does his business. It’s not a door, but it’s all you’ve got.

Phone Calls: Calls are set up through OffenderConnect (or similar vendors).

• The Cost: ~$2.50 for 15 minutes.
• The Danger: Calls are recorded. These recordings are converted to WAV files and often emailed directly to the prosecutor.
• The Rule: DO NOT discuss your case on the phone. Do not complain about the judge. Do not admit to “just having a little bit.” I beg of you—silence is golden.

John’s 2026 Update: The Digital Panopticon

Note: In the past, you worried about physical guards. In 2026, you have to worry about the AI.

1. The End of Physical Mail (“Smart Communications”) As of 2024/2025, the Orange County Jail banned physical mail to stop contraband (like drug-soaked paper) from entering.

• The New Way: Your family mails letters to a processing center in Tampa. They are scanned into a computer.
• The Tablet: You receive the letter digitally on a GTL/Securus Tablet in your cell. You never touch the paper your wife held. It’s all pixels now.

2. Voice Biometrics (The “Voice IQ” Trap) Phone calls aren’t just recorded anymore; they are analyzed by AI.

• The Tech: The system uses Continuous Voice Biometrics to ensure the person speaking is actually you. If you hand the phone to another inmate (so he can use your minutes), the AI detects the voice change and cuts the call.
• The Keyword Flag: The AI transcribes your call in real-time. If you say words like “witness,” “gun,” or “stash,” it flags the timestamp for the detective.

3. “Pay-to-Stay” is Real Florida law allows jails to charge inmates a “Daily Subsistence Fee.”

• The 2026 Reality: Upon release, many inmates are handed a bill for thousands of dollars for their “room and board.” This debt can be sent to collections, ruining your credit before you even take your first step as a free man.

Survive the Stay

Jail is designed to break you—financially, mentally, and legally. The best way to survive is to keep your head down, respect the hierarchy, and never talk about your case on the tablet or the phone.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s get you bonded out.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.