Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Why The 48 Laws of Power Is Banned in Prisons
Jan 23, 2026
Zack, a conversational partner and former con man, joins to unpack how The 48 Laws of Power plays out behind bars and in scams. They trace several laws to real prison tactics. Short, sharp stories and candid reflections explore secrecy, reputations, baiting, silence, and using rules to win.
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Keep Intentions Close To The Vest
- Hide your plans and speak sparingly to limit others' ability to counteract you.
- Matthew Cox warns verbal bragging gives people ammunition to derail your projects.
Use Silence As A Tactical Tool
- Use silence deliberately: speak little and let others reveal information or become uncomfortable.
- Zack and Matthew recommend the five-minute silent stare exercise to gain psychological advantage.
Generosity Used As A Con Tool
- Matthew describes a prison peer who disarmed targets with staged generosity and then vanished with large loans.
- He compares Ponzi-style generosity (flights, dinners) to building trust before extracting investors' money.
