I was in jail for awhile but, regrettably, learned no new criminal techniques. In fact, most people seemed pretty reticent to talk about crimes or why they were

I was in jail for awhile but, regrettably, learned no new criminal techniques. In fact, most people seemed pretty reticent to talk about crimes or why they were in there. I did learn how to make a nutritious paste from commissary food, how to hide sugar packets in a mattress, and how to make a chess set out of toilet paper and toothpaste. I also found out that drugs are extremely cheap in jail--costing just one or two candy bars--since many people in jail have child support judgements against them and are effectively barred from using the commissary. Having access to the commissary can have a profound effect on your comfort in jail, so if you're a homeless person with some small passive income (and no child support!) it might be all right. I could see doing it through a harsh winter, but personally I'd probably choose the streets most of the time. The food you get might not be as regular, but it'll be more varied and probably more nutritious than what you'll find in a cell.