There are a number of ways that prisoners have improvised lighters. In my previous posts, Gum Wrapper Fire Method, and Battery/Foil Prison Lighter Hack,

I discuss fire methods using gum wrapper foil that generates enough heat to cause the paper substrate to burst into a flame.

One method that I learned recently uses two AA batteries and staples that can create a red hot point to ignite tinder so I decided to try it.

Apparently prisoners can purchase AA batteries at a commissary for various personal electronics. Staples can be acquired from various printed material.

To begin, one battery is held upright with the second battery Inverted next to it while placed on a metal surface. This creates a circuit in series that produces 3V. In prison, that metal surface might be the top of a sink or toilet. I used an Inverted stainless steel cup.

For convenience I used a rubber band to hold the batteries together. Next, I straightened out one side of each of two staples and used masking tape to mount one on the topside of each battery.

Then I tore off a piece of toilet tissue and placed the jagged edge between the staples so when I rotated the batteries together to touch the ends of the staples they became red hot and ignited the tissue paper.

The masking tape and rubber band are modifications of mine that make this method alot more manageable. The staples get hot to hold but the masking tape helps to buffer the heat while stabilizing them on the battery poles.

It took a little practice to use successfully. I prefer the gum wrapper foil method better but it’s good to know an alternative method when materials might be limited.