Remember too that phone calls from the jail are routinely tape recorded by the Sheriff. Jail visits with friends are conducted over phones and those too are routinely tape-recorded by the Sheriff. PEOPLE IN CUSTODY SHOULD NEVER DISCUSS WITH ANYONE, OTHER THAN THEIR ATTORNEY, THE FACTS OF THEIR CASE. Occasionally an inmate will "snitch off" another inmate in hopes of making a deal with the DA. Sometimes even a small amount of information is enough to give a snitch enough to sound credible when making up a "jail house confession."
Sometimes police ask the person arrested to "cooperate" and help them "bust" someone else. From my perspective, this is a terrible choice - it nearly always works out badly for the informant. Informants are known as "snitches." Obviously, they are unpopular folks - in jail they are often attacked if left in the general population. Police fequently promise more than they can or will deliver to snitches. Sometimes they promise not to file the snitches' case or to keep their identity secret. There are many ways the identity of a snitch can come out. I do not represent snitches. Do not call me if you want to work with the police as an informant.