I bet Michael Avenatti became someone's "bit_h" the minute he got into prison.

A criminal former attorney is probably a hot commodity in prison. He can file legal papers, help with appeals, and use his law skills for all sorts of things in prison. Whoever controls his leash can rent Avenatti out to other prisoners in exchange for favors.

Someone (or more likely a gang) got a hold of Avenatti on his first day... and explained exactly what will happen to him if he doesn't do what they want. More than likely, his first day was spent learning his new place and who his new bosses are.