Do you guys prefer balancing them or being better at one like Strength than the other? I'm still trying to figure out what's best for combat purposes (and if it's a bad idea to train  EXP too much outside of the gym because that gives you lower combat readiness in relation to what level you are.)

Good that new dudes come like this ad post these kina things. well,in my opinion,for newbies it's best to keep the defense up always as by doin it,u cannot be easily attacked or "snatched off-guard"..

Hum... ill go for speed if i were a newbie [thoug i still am at N.J]

At least untill i can do some crimes without beign caught... 1st the janitors closet and then the camera thing... After that u can balance it with def and leave STR for the last, this way u can get a job and earn some mony in aditional to crime/xploring yard.

* just my opinion *

 I would definatly advise that you should not do to much crime as you gain exp fast and level up fast but your stats dont change unless you go to the gym if i had my time again id definatly say that i would stay in the gym 24/7. As some newbies are level 7 and have only joined 8 days ago where as im alevel 7 and have been here over a month.

  Im not to sure about what are the best stats to train as ive seen people with eally high speed and strength but have hardly any defense. I thought this was important to have but have been told otherwise but everyone has there own opinion and im gonna kep an eye on this forum as id love to know what other people think as well. Hope this helps you

If you want to be strongest in game,just train you DEF and little strengh... speed dont train ever!

With 0 speed,in fights you will be attacked many,many times but you defence will defend all!

Then,becouse stamina of other player will be on 0%,you will win in one punch!

Offcorse,in that case you cant do any crime,and you will be easy target for mugging...

But you will be incredible in FIGHTS

Sounds like good tactic to me

lol barbarian, i was also thinking about posting same thing you posted,

speed or defense it all depends upon yout tactics, when you have high speed you can earn more, but to win fights you also need to maitain good strength, better then your rival defense, but when u don't like to loss match, then u should work on your defense But then your rival can train more cause of better speed and earning, so he can easily go beyond your defense any time,

so what i think is you should work on all departments, concentrating only on your defense will be good for time being but not fruitful, good speed can give only good crime rate but you wont be able to show your badge (http://www.prisonblock.com/badges/Dan52) to anyone, reasonable strength with good defense and required speed, you can move well

But then that batch shows good to crime records too..

yeah, but isn't good winner pose good impression?

any how, as i said all depend upon your priority, & how you are satisfy!

Why its shame if you lose lot fights?

I was been bad before,trying to mug/raid a lot high levels and they are punish me offcorse,but i was progressing more then they are

You guys are missing the point, in my opinion.

I can always boost my strength and defense easily. Over a 100%+ increase wtih cell ammenities and weapons/armor.

Only the bookcases boost your speed and you are limited to 2.  Weapon (razor blade) also gives a speed boost, but it pales in comparison to what you can get in strength and defense.

Speed is the hardest stat to achieve and helps in crimes.  That is the only answer until the Warden adds new ammenities to boost speed, and it aids in your crime success rate with your nerve bar.

It isn't about what setup is the best, but what stat is the hardest to manipulate with the use of items.