Diane Downs has absolutely no grasp on reality. She is paranoid and delusional and her life is just plain sucky--and it would be even if she were not in prison. I wish I could find the letter she sent to her daughter--the one that she gave birth to after her arrest. It leaves little question to the state of her mind these days. And considering that was written some years ago I imagine her mental status to be much worse now rather than better. At best, Downs is medicated to the point of comfortably numb.
Not sure about what Pam Smart endures these days but most prisoners adapt fairly well just because they have no choice. Prisons are set up to help them adapt because when they adapt they are less likely to be trouble. Those who cannot or will not adapt find themselves often separated from the others for short or long, or sometimes very long, periods of time. That's for everyone's protection/well being.
I believe prison is a punishment more so for some than others but I guess that's true with just about anything. Jodi will probably adapt after an initial period of rule-breaking and not liking being told what to do. Eventually she will come around, though. And so what if she does adapt. She's still locked up, not running around with blond tresses and fake
in everyone's face. No Starbucks. No travel beyond the prison walls except possibly if she has to be hospitalized for something. And then she would be under heavy guard and still have rules to follow. The worst of it all, I believe will be no coming and going as she pleases. To each his own--but for me, I could do all of that for a few years if I had to but the eventual realization that I would live the rest of my life like that would surely suck!
I do not think we have to worry too much about Jodi Arias embracing her new life with much enthusiasm. It will be all about survival, and that will not leave much room for many good times.
