These two former cellmates played Dungeons & Dragons together in prison to pass the time -- and now they're using the game to re-integrate into society. WATCH NEXT: Saving the History of Video Games - vice.video/2DeKVTM
VICE Guys in prison for possession of MUSHROOMS,... I'm losing faith in humanity... Let's arrest harmless people with plants and mushrooms.... Don't worry about the actual violent criminals...
Dear vice Can you make a documentary video on engineering and medical colleges in India and it's effect on the Indian economy and corruption in India? It will help the government realise how bad it is and please show the pychological effect on the society. The below will help you get started www.edutrics.com/effects-of-rising-number-of-engineering-colleges-on-the-indian-society/
Hey, can you tell these guys about dndbeyond.com and d20pfsrd.com . That way they don't have to share books because all the content is there digitally. Also, if any of you dudes that were in this video want to play online with us, find me on dndbeyond.com name thegmoat. I got, y'all! :) We play in the forums, with people from all over the world! :)
I ran my campaign for six months in Willard-Cybulski level 2 dorms here in CT during my almost 3 year stay for forgery a decade ago.. and though we didn't have dice I created a spinner system using what we had available with the blessing of the warden. I had hoped to make it a part of the rehab curriculum but I simply wasn't there long enough. I did manage to get all the books we needed, and the guys who came in and out of the game will probably tell you to this day that it helped them as it did me in many ways. This game had never been about anything evil and it has done so much good on many levels at home as well as in the system. I'm glad to see this video.
My dad was a big biker guy who was cooking drugs and trying to be a small town kingpin or something but he acted tough. He went to prison for murder and he started playing DnD and it cracks me up because he gets hella nerdy talking about it. He talks about how he wants whatever new expansions just came out and how he just finished some epic adventure that took a month to finish. It’s like when you see a big guy playing with a puppy, its so strange. I think its a great idea and if prisoners are willing to do an activity with the others without getting into some altercation. It’s a way to teach them how to get along with others and that’s often the most common problem in their life, they are usually locked up because they don’t know how to get along with people or the rules of society so the game teaches them how to do all that.
How wonderful for them. I genuinely believe that the sense of community and belonging that goes along with games such as D&D can help former inmates stay on a lawful path and curb recidivism, and maybe even create a safe-space for inmates where they can feel some sort of genuine accomplishment and victory.
Prison is supposed to be used to rehabilitate not cause non-violent offenders to become killers. I'm glad these guys came out and used a social game to reintegrate and find friendship.
Advait Thite You think just because someone has been in jail they just kill people for no reason, whenever they get the chance? They weren't even in for serious crimes. I'd play with them no problem, they aren't even scary dudes. You need to grow some balls.
The guy selling who got caught with shrooms? my mistake, i thought they were talking about another guy (the one that did the stabbing while playing dnd)
+slimkt You should see Shaun Attwoods videos about his time inside. Prison is hell and the system worshiping statistics is forcing recreational weed smokers to prison to meet the arrest quotas and turning them in to abused heroin addicts.
I was in jail for a parking ticket for a month , and I had severe withdrawals, and I met so many dudes with tragic stories that were unique to them , and talking and debating literally revived us all , it was so amazing .. we had Christians and Muslims and atheists all conversing and explaining why they believe what they believe I and why we’re all wrong and all right , and about history/archeology/biology .. the energy we all had was what kept us all going .. and when someone got sick or suicidal , they would literally beg not to be put in the single bed cell because they knew they’d have no one to talk to .. but it never stopped them from taking us anyway .. I begged a nurse and told her it wouldn’t help in fact it’s gonna make it worse , and she said she didn’t care and made me go.. all for owing 70$ on a 300$ parking ticket ..
thank Darwin shrooms are legal to possess, consume, and even sell in my country [as long as you don't sell without a label saying "not for human comsumption"]
That makes a lot of sense. In prison, I imagine having a good source of escapism is vital to maintaining oneself. This also gives them a creative outlet, while building a positive form of camaraderie that isn't based on any sort of violence, hate, or anything like that.
I think what we all forget is that, people of all walks of life can end up in prison, for all different kinds of reasons. Video game players, Board game players, People who enjoy certain kinds of movies or tv shows, really anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, you can end up in prison, and if you're given the chance to do something you enjoy in Prison? You're probably going to take it.
I remember when I was in my first few days of prison and lost my cell mate. After a few days on my own I was getting crushingly bored and then all of a sudden Bargain Hunt came on TV and I turned it off and just sat on a chair.
VICE Guys in prison for possession of MUSHROOMS,... I'm losing faith in humanity... Let's arrest harmless people with plants and mushrooms.... Don't worry about the actual violent criminals...
Money is the ess3nce he said "burglary", which is ALSO a nonviolent offense. You laughed at Errl as if you raised a valid point. Now that deserves a "lmfao". LMFAO
Feel bad for the guy who got booked just for weed and shrooms. Those drugs don't even harm people, let alone communities. US legal system the ones trippin.
And now he has criminal record so many job opportunities are gone. Not only did they fuck the immediate part of his life, his future will be difficult too.
D&D was a great escape for me in dark times. There are many great benefits for playing this type of game. It becomes your reality for a while, you express your thoughts and personality through your character.
I have always wanted to get into d and d but every time someone who was crucial would cancel. We tried for half a year with Co workers in Las vegas. I don't have any friends now but it would be fun to play wth people. Respect these guys did this in prison I'm glad they were able to stay true to their nerd roots in the clink.
This is cool. I remember playing as a kid. I feel sorry and happy for these guys for their lot in life. I wish them all the best and hope that they do well in life.
Ain't that some shit? Locked up for mushrooms. It's a plant, just like marijuana. And, it's widely known to help in psychiatric treatment. Legalize it!!!
No offense, but, did you get the jest of my statement? That's all that matters to me. To get my point across with my opinion. If you recall, I never claimed to be an authority on botany. Lol. Fungi...... What a funny, fucked up word.
*blood everywhere* "What the hell happened?" "Stepped on a d4" "I haven't seen this much blood since 4th edition came out. I can still hear the screams...."
Your 5th level Chaotic Evil Thief has just been struck by Felony B&E charges. You have a 2nd level Public Defender with a CHA of 7 and INT of 8. Roll for Appeal/Saving Throw.
pls give these guys a show on vice land. they where having so much fun and this is a constructive thing for ppl. pls vice this is on u i challenge you to this.
Played AD&D In Arizona System in 90's In Minimum Custody. Heard About a Ravenloft Game On Another Yard.I Think It Was Contraband Everything Was Copies Handed Down. These Guys Are Kool They Don't Let The Bullshit Get Them Down. Smoke And Game Like High School.
This was a really cool video to watch, sometimes people forget to humanize these people just because they were locked up for doing x or y (petty things most of the time) and it's really refreshing to see this side of people just being people.
im 27 years of age i have been playing table top RPG since i was 8, I have had plenty of girlfriends and now i have a wife and a child. just hang out with better women.
This was dope, I almost went to prison. Was involved with a bad crowd got in a shootout....Anyway I asked my homie in Jail what it was gonna be like in prison anfd if I could play D&D in there..He laughed at me and said, "There ain't nothin like that in there its nothing but hard asses and they will kick your ass if you play D&D" LOL! Loved this video gonna show this to him hahah! luckily I beat my case with probabtion.
My love for a certain plant means I'm always in danger of being locked up (been close twice haha) but I'm also a nerd, so this documentary was really cool. I figured if I was ever locked up I'd spend my time writing and illustrating a graphic novel (and probably designing tattoos for people), but it's nice to think maybe I could get into some board games or dnd too.
Mic M I spent most of my time drawing and desiging tattoos. It wasnt really bad just boring, the worst part was I really missed my wife and kids. Man though i stayed up all night with mu cell mate in the hut desiging a comic book and cooking chi chis out of ramen noodles lol.
Ok, I laughed at him explaining how he stabbed a dude while playing lol. I'm actually really glad they had something to occupy themselves and are exploring it outside as well,.
If someone wants to make a gaming channel to compete with Critical role, getting together a group of former prison inmates to play DND would be the way to do it.
Based on the title of the video, it seemed like they were actually planning an escape using Dungeons and Dragons. If I could get a mailing address I might send stuff to keep the game going in Prison or on the outside.
Growing up it's the typical "d&d is for virgins and looser" but then you grow up and it's like "that's fucking dope", at least it's that way for me. I definitely think this is pretty cool 👍.
These two former cellmates played Dungeons & Dragons together in prison to pass the time -- and now they're using the game to re-integrate into society.
WATCH NEXT: Saving the History of Video Games - vice.video/2DeKVTM
VICE Guys in prison for possession of MUSHROOMS,... I'm losing faith in humanity... Let's arrest harmless people with plants and mushrooms.... Don't worry about the actual violent criminals...
Dear vice
Can you make a documentary video on engineering and medical colleges in India and it's effect on the Indian economy and corruption in India?
It will help the government realise how bad it is and please show the pychological effect on the society.
The below will help you get started
www.edutrics.com/effects-of-rising-number-of-engineering-colleges-on-the-indian-society/
Hey, can you tell these guys about dndbeyond.com and d20pfsrd.com . That way they don't have to share books because all the content is there digitally. Also, if any of you dudes that were in this video want to play online with us, find me on dndbeyond.com name thegmoat. I got, y'all! :) We play in the forums, with people from all over the world! :)
So awesome good for you guys.
I ran my campaign for six months in Willard-Cybulski level 2 dorms here in CT during my almost 3 year stay for forgery a decade ago.. and though we didn't have dice I created a spinner system using what we had available with the blessing of the warden. I had hoped to make it a part of the rehab curriculum but I simply wasn't there long enough. I did manage to get all the books we needed, and the guys who came in and out of the game will probably tell you to this day that it helped them as it did me in many ways.
This game had never been about anything evil and it has done so much good on many levels at home as well as in the system.
I'm glad to see this video.
My dad was a big biker guy who was cooking drugs and trying to be a small town kingpin or something but he acted tough. He went to prison for murder and he started playing DnD and it cracks me up because he gets hella nerdy talking about it. He talks about how he wants whatever new expansions just came out and how he just finished some epic adventure that took a month to finish. It’s like when you see a big guy playing with a puppy, its so strange. I think its a great idea and if prisoners are willing to do an activity with the others without getting into some altercation. It’s a way to teach them how to get along with others and that’s often the most common problem in their life, they are usually locked up because they don’t know how to get along with people or the rules of society so the game teaches them how to do all that.
It isn't strange your just dense and cant comprehend the complexity of people around you.
Sounds like a one shot
How wonderful for them. I genuinely believe that the sense of community and belonging that goes along with games such as D&D can help former inmates stay on a lawful path and curb recidivism, and maybe even create a safe-space for inmates where they can feel some sort of genuine accomplishment and victory.
Going from chaotic neutral to lawful good one D&D campaign at a time.
well said.
It's a time killer. The campaigns put you into a fantasy realm.
Prison is supposed to be used to rehabilitate not cause non-violent offenders to become killers. I'm glad these guys came out and used a social game to reintegrate and find friendship.
These guys are chill. I'd join a campaign with them.
lol
Advait Thite You think just because someone has been in jail they just kill people for no reason, whenever they get the chance? They weren't even in for serious crimes. I'd play with them no problem, they aren't even scary dudes. You need to grow some balls.
Advait Thite You're definetly a big vagina. He sold mushrooms; big deal.
don't get stabbed by an IRL dagger
the fact that non-violent people are getting arrested for shit such as possesion is really scary to me.
Ang badang-That was INSIDE not on the street...
The guy selling who got caught with shrooms? my mistake, i thought they were talking about another guy (the one that did the stabbing while playing dnd)
He was also charged for burglary and thats in conjunction, 3 years is a good sentence too short if anything imho.
he was charged for buglary wirh a deadly weapon -.-´
For. Profit. Prisons. It's ridiculous.
lol that dude looks exactly like you'd expect someone to look like who plays a dwarf wizard
You know it’s gotten bad when you see dudes in prison for minor shit and think, “At least you guys have people to play D&D with.”
so true
Yeah it's definitely bad if you're considering whether having some friends is worth getting gang-raped by some prisoners.
whew I didn’t see this one coming. CRYING over here!
+slimkt You should see Shaun Attwoods videos about his time inside. Prison is hell and the system worshiping statistics is forcing recreational weed smokers to prison to meet the arrest quotas and turning them in to abused heroin addicts.
Naru Kami lol
I am always so impressed with VICE's ability to find crazy wild stories that are always so deeply human
"sometimes dragons have to die, and they have to die now"
I swear it was a dragon your honor!
-Said the Night King
Sometimes it be like that
I was in jail for a parking ticket for a month , and I had severe withdrawals, and I met so many dudes with tragic stories that were unique to them , and talking and debating literally revived us all , it was so amazing .. we had Christians and Muslims and atheists all conversing and explaining why they believe what they believe I and why we’re all wrong and all right , and about history/archeology/biology .. the energy we all had was what kept us all going .. and when someone got sick or suicidal , they would literally beg not to be put in the single bed cell because they knew they’d have no one to talk to .. but it never stopped them from taking us anyway .. I begged a nurse and told her it wouldn’t help in fact it’s gonna make it worse , and she said she didn’t care and made me go.. all for owing 70$ on a 300$ parking ticket ..
For fucks sake I have to go to prison in order to find a good dungeons and dragons group!?
I guess you do 😂
Possession of mushrooms...lol how is that still a crime?
newbpwner27 why is no one mentioning this
fenderfan85 Bro, I got some rare Onions for a fire price at 60$ an Eighth. Shit is so fire, you cry 👌
thank Darwin shrooms are legal to possess, consume, and even sell in my country [as long as you don't sell without a label saying "not for human comsumption"]
Mushrooms are terrible and rip families apart. No one ever do this demon drug please stick to heroin!!
I hear fentanyl is huge these days, go big or go home right? Lol
That makes a lot of sense. In prison, I imagine having a good source of escapism is vital to maintaining oneself. This also gives them a creative outlet, while building a positive form of camaraderie that isn't based on any sort of violence, hate, or anything like that.
If you think about it life is a prison in and of itself. So what's the difference in a actual prison.
I think what we all forget is that, people of all walks of life can end up in prison, for all different kinds of reasons. Video game players, Board game players, People who enjoy certain kinds of movies or tv shows, really anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, you can end up in prison, and if you're given the chance to do something you enjoy in Prison? You're probably going to take it.
I remember when I was in my first few days of prison and lost my cell mate. After a few days on my own I was getting crushingly bored and then all of a sudden Bargain Hunt came on TV and I turned it off and just sat on a chair.
VICE Guys in prison for possession of MUSHROOMS,... I'm losing faith in humanity... Let's arrest harmless people with plants and mushrooms.... Don't worry about the actual violent criminals...
Money is the ess3nce he said "burglary", which is ALSO a nonviolent offense. You laughed at Errl as if you raised a valid point. Now that deserves a "lmfao".
LMFAO
Maybe he had magic mushrooms that is a serious drug.
Nuckin Futs burgarly is a felony...
felony does not equal violent.
henry waehling that's still a non violent crime. A fine should be enough.
Feel bad for the guy who got booked just for weed and shrooms. Those drugs don't even harm people, let alone communities. US legal system the ones trippin.
And now he has criminal record so many job opportunities are gone. Not only did they fuck the immediate part of his life, his future will be difficult too.
john brand at least he's safe and alive, your trials in life make you who you are
Just look at the president. The country is a joke.
and burglary...and he did 3 stints, so it obviously took him a while to learn his lesson.
You make the dice, with bread, Kool aid, and some wax. We used risk figures for our players. We used paper grids & guide books sent from home.
79ninzombie we made a spinner system.. It was something I still use ten years later in certain game circumstances 🙂✨
respect
I used to make die out of wet toilet paper. You keep molding it against the wall and it comes out perfect lol.
Wish you all can see how creative one can get with contraband.
john benko jr
Usually obtained through janitorial supplies, connections, being a porter or having a job near cleaning supplies.
Dwarf wizard?! That man should not be on the streets.
D&D was a great escape for me in dark times. There are many great benefits for playing this type of game. It becomes your reality for a while, you express your thoughts and personality through your character.
At least you'd know they'd show up.
classic dnd problem
Depends. If they get sent to the hole then you're screwed. Or if they got shanked in the shower, then you are also screwed.
Joe this sounds like a cry for help, you ok man. Got fake friends?
I'd watch more of this. Please?
This is so awesome. Best of luck to all these guys.
"Possession of mushrooms" smh this chill dude doesn't deserve prison
Played D&D in high school in the 80s. Play D&D now. It's awesome.
I have always wanted to get into d and d but every time someone who was crucial would cancel. We tried for half a year with Co workers in Las vegas. I don't have any friends now but it would be fun to play wth people. Respect these guys did this in prison I'm glad they were able to stay true to their nerd roots in the clink.
This is cool. I remember playing as a kid. I feel sorry and happy for these guys for their lot in life. I wish them all the best and hope that they do well in life.
Great documentary. hope these dudes are still playing together or even still running the same campaign.
this is so pure and awesome
"hey guys we can't all be rogues or fighters" lol
Good for them, hope they find peace and happiness in their lives.
Ain't that some shit? Locked up for mushrooms. It's a plant, just like marijuana. And, it's widely known to help in psychiatric treatment. Legalize it!!!
Mushrooms aren't plants. They're fungi.
No offense, but, did you get the jest of my statement? That's all that matters to me. To get my point across with my opinion. If you recall, I never claimed to be an authority on botany. Lol. Fungi...... What a funny, fucked up word.
Old laws developed out of fear by bigots who didn't bother doing any research...
I thought I was being funny by being pedantic
word
*blood everywhere*
"What the hell happened?"
"Stepped on a d4"
"I haven't seen this much blood since 4th edition came out. I can still hear the screams...."
Your 5th level Chaotic Evil Thief has just been struck by Felony B&E charges. You have a 2nd level Public Defender with a CHA of 7 and INT of 8. Roll for Appeal/Saving Throw.
pls give these guys a show on vice land. they where having so much fun and this is a constructive thing for ppl. pls vice this is on u i challenge you to this.
3:48 he got a real bro there...thats a friend for life
D&D brings people together, it's a weird and beautiful thing
This is fucking rad. TTRPGs are the best hobbies, seriously.
Played AD&D In Arizona System in 90's In Minimum Custody. Heard About a Ravenloft Game On Another Yard.I Think It Was Contraband Everything Was Copies Handed Down. These Guys Are Kool They Don't Let The Bullshit Get Them Down. Smoke And Game Like High School.
Such a great story! Hopefully they are all doing good.
I can't get over that drawing of Skeletor in the background
Is that Willem Dafoe lost son?
Ranulfo S lol
This was a really cool video to watch, sometimes people forget to humanize these people just because they were locked up for doing x or y (petty things most of the time) and it's really refreshing to see this side of people just being people.
This is low-key the greatest thing I ever saw while high.
Wow prisoners have been through enough now they want them to never get laid again
Dro +lmfao
They still get laid in there... Just not consensual
Real tho girls over 25 don't care about your DnD its whatever and they'll even join in
Dro 🤣😂
im 27 years of age i have been playing table top RPG since i was 8, I have had plenty of girlfriends and now i have a wife and a child. just hang out with better women.
I think this is amazing, for people to escape their 24/7 life, without consequence.
37d6 as a 4th level rogue, ITS FAKE NEWS
Brings a lot of hope in a small world
This was dope, I almost went to prison. Was involved with a bad crowd got in a shootout....Anyway I asked my homie in Jail what it was gonna be like in prison anfd if I could play D&D in there..He laughed at me and said, "There ain't nothin like that in there its nothing but hard asses and they will kick your ass if you play D&D" LOL! Loved this video gonna show this to him hahah! luckily I beat my case with probabtion.
its 4:30am here and VICE decides to upload video sigh..
This is so heckin rad. Honestly I’d join them
This is heartbreaking, hope they get out.
My love for a certain plant means I'm always in danger of being locked up (been close twice haha) but I'm also a nerd, so this documentary was really cool. I figured if I was ever locked up I'd spend my time writing and illustrating a graphic novel (and probably designing tattoos for people), but it's nice to think maybe I could get into some board games or dnd too.
Mic M nobodys gonna lock you up for weed bro
Mister Buddha uhm yeah, not for smoking it, no...
delete this
too late.....NSA logged your comment almost instantly.... GG, NSA op
You’re almost as hard as the guy in the doc
Mic M I spent most of my time drawing and desiging tattoos. It wasnt really bad just boring, the worst part was I really missed my wife and kids. Man though i stayed up all night with mu cell mate in the hut desiging a comic book and cooking chi chis out of ramen noodles lol.
"i'm rolling a cleric" ... ends up being a rogue haha
they should have their own show with costumes and sound effects added in between
This is fantastic.
Nice Video Vice BTW!! Really enjoyed this one
So many good memorable times . Please look up" D&D 8bit " LOL Where are the Cheetos !?
Yeah! They look so happy! Let's be happy from now on.
I thought they meant like, they literally escaped prison using D&D somehow. I was really impressed.
Ok, I laughed at him explaining how he stabbed a dude while playing lol. I'm actually really glad they had something to occupy themselves and are exploring it outside as well,.
That's some pretty epic music
Love it, thank you
If someone wants to make a gaming channel to compete with Critical role, getting together a group of former prison inmates to play DND would be the way to do it.
this was amazing, seemed like if he grew up in a stable environment, he would have done something with himself
"That's me, I got the nose" - Mike
This is awesome
They should have capitalized on this and created a stream. Convicts & Dragons lol.
If only he realized that life is Dungeons & Dragons for real
They should play 40k
I would think the models are too pricey to get while locked up eh?
I wish it was longer
I was surprised by the backgrounds of the players, like working professionals making bank.
I miss you, Colk.
Based on the title of the video, it seemed like they were actually planning an escape using Dungeons and Dragons. If I could get a mailing address I might send stuff to keep the game going in Prison or on the outside.
roleplaying game is way to bond with each other
Smells Good, smells like Colorado LOL
Great story!
Very uplifting!
D&D made them gentlemen, none of them swear
Anything to keep your mind occupied.
He’s right it’s ‘pretty lame’ if they want to play d&d the guards force them into a gang
Fuck me I thought they were going to escape the prison with D&D
"That's maximum damage"
Something seemed fishy about that roll... Lol how many sneak attack dice do you?
Kids who play D&D in high school get beaten up.
You must have to be a real badass to do it in prison.
id love to game with these guys!! so awesome!!
Sometimes Stabbing in D&D is Necessary!!😁
these guys should livestream
Still wondering how he broke his collar bone playing D and D
Man miss playing d and d with my friends
Oh look, a normal like to dislike ratio... wonder why
the title had me confused. i thought they are gonna get out of prison using the game hahhaha
Is it Thursday yet?
noize na but only a few more hours
Nope!
New campaign hype! Whoa, on VICE? Critical Role's community is growing like wildfire.
I've still never played D&D!
I love these guys
I always wanted to play this
Incrível! Abraços do Brasil!
As long as these prisoners make Lawful Good characters and not Chaotic Evil.......LOL
Why does he remind me of willem Defoe
Best video!
Growing up it's the typical "d&d is for virgins and looser" but then you grow up and it's like "that's fucking dope", at least it's that way for me. I definitely think this is pretty cool 👍.