This advice about surviving prison is surprisingly relevant to life on the outside

In two startling new videos directed by a former prisoner, inmates from two New York facilities reveal the advice they would give to newly incarcerated people.

Funded by a federal grant, the videos will be shown at prisons throughout New York state. In some parts of the videos, which were posted on the Marshall Project's website, inmates advised new arrivals how to avoid horrific situations such as prison rape.

Some of the advice, however, could apply to situations outside of prison. Here's some of what they said:

"It's alright to be yourself and to not feel as though you have to portray a certain image. The more comfortable you are being who you are, the less likely someone else is going to be able to manipulate or turn who you are into something you don't want to be."

"Don't try to be something or somebody you're not."

"Take your time, fall back, observe what's going on around you, all the time. I remain cautious at all times because I can control me, but I can't control you."

"You have to trust your gut instincts."

"Those guys that try to tell people, newer guys, 'this is how we do things' are usually trying to get them to do things the way they want things done, rather than really try to help the people."

"If you try and pretend that you're a tough guy and nothing affects you, they can tell if you're being phony."

"Just be true to yourself and don't let the environment dictate who you're gonna become."

"Hang out with the old timers for awhile and observe."

"You're going to be around these people for some time, and before you engage or you attempt to befriend, observe them and see who they are. You gotta see them with their friends. How they treat other people is who they really are. We do have some good people in here, even though we have bad people as well."

"If my life is being threatened, and there's no other way around it but to let someone know that my life is threatened. Okay, well that's what has to be done because I'd like to continue living."

"Figure people out before you become their friend."

"And if you see certain individuals that are trying to warm up to you, watch how they treat other people. Because nine times out of 10, what they do to others, they will do to you."

"If you feel something in the pit of your stomach or a voice in the back of your head is saying, this doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right. You need to remove yourself from that situation."

"It's okay to be afraid. It's okay to be confused. It's okay to be overwhelmed."

"You have to set boundaries."

"There are some good people. And then there are people that will play on your weakness."

"There are relationships worth developing in here, people that are going to help you on your path. You just have to find them."