I'm a pretty big fella with a good deal of functional strength & can handle my own "in the streets". I trained Muay Thai KB in the mid 90s & recently got my purple belt in BJJ (
) & have some catch & freestyle wrestling "101" knowledge. Although I'm not proud of it, I've been in more that my share of scraps (circa grade school thru college). My short fuse (back then) got me in some trouble. Given these factors, I like my odds in a scrap against 85-90% of the U.S. (healthy) male population (ages 18-50, etc.). ***With the exception of top flight martial artists, MMA fighters, hardcore brawlers, etc.
However, going against multiple attackers always changes the game. You can't allow yourself to get overly focused by 1 opponent (or the others blindside you). Nor can you allow one of the opponent to "tie you up" (in a clinch, bear hug, wrapping around a limb), or the others will tee off on you (at once). Against multiple opponents, you have to strike quick, distribute strikes, be allusive & use ANY weapon (makeshift or otherwise) within reach. ***Fyi, Bas Rutten's "Lethal Street Fighting" Self Defense System DVD has some good tips on improvising "weapons" in a street fight.
In prison, I assume you'd have to worry about shanks & zips guns as well. I've got a pretty vicious streak once I reach that point/zone (which is very rare these days). Fortunately, I've mellowed out (ALOT) as I've aged & have a family now. However, I wouldn't hessitate to take someone's eye out, bite out their trachea, shoot or stab someone (in a NY minute) IF I thought my life (or my wife/kids life or safety) was in jeopardy. In jail, I'd be under that same premise...kill (asap) before being killed. Not that I'm some "bad@$$", but I'd understand the zone I'd have to be in to survive in jail.
I'd probably keep a low profile but not appear weak (like a punk), but not act overly "hard" (as it'd bring about being "tested"). I agree with G301...I won't go voluntarily to jail if I've not done anything against the Constitution. No "going along quitely" to the FEMA camp for microchip implantation & mass vaccinations for this ol' boy!