In depth Research After the Critique
Sterotypes of people in jail
Common stereotypes of people in jail include the assumption that they
are all untrustworthy losers with violent tendencies. The truth is that
while many murderers, rapists, gangsters and armed robbers may tend to
commit acts of violence even in jail, there are also prisoners serving time for non-violent crimes such as tax evasion or drug-related offenses. Also, some prisoners
don't have remorse or want to change their ways, but there are others
who feel differently about what they did. Some people have even been
found to be falsely incarcerated when someone else was later proven to
be the real perpetrator. In the case of any type of assumption, there
are and will always be people who fit it, but also many more who do not.
That incarcerated people only learn more bad things and become even
worse citizens when they are released from jail is another common
stereotype. While this can definitely be true for some prisoners,
it's not the case for others. Some people in jail take responsibility
for whatever crime they committed that got them incarcerated and work
hard through prison counseling and/or education programs to make changes
for the better. While some convicts never feel genuine remorse for
their victims, others do and even go as far as to apologize to their
victim's families. Caution and critical thinking must always be used
before dispelling or believing a stereotype though because it sometimes
a prisoner could fake remorse.
That all men are raped by other men in prison is one of the most often
mentioned stereotypes. For men who have perpetrated this behavior
outside the jail system, this may be a reality. Since prison life is
typically very different from that on the outside, this form of violence
may likely occur more often for people in jail. It is also possible for
sexual violence to happen between females in prison rather than just
males. Yet not all prisoners, male or
female, will experience any violent sex in jail, and some may choose to
engage in consensual same-sex relationships with fellow inmates.
There are as many different types of people in prison, as there are outside of prison. Not all people in prison are gangsters, or drug addicts, or child molesters. Some are hijackers, forgers, burglars, rapists, and murderers. Some are even innocent.
Not all gangsters, murderers, child molesters, rapists, drug addicts, etc. could be expected to have the same social skills. Some have no family; some have come from very good families; some have very faithful spouses; some have very unfaithful spouses; some are single; etc.; some have always been poor; some have always lived in luxury; some are well-educated; some are illiterate. All are capable of living a good Christian life.
The most important difference to take note of is that some prisoners are intent on a life of crime; some want to change their lives but don’t know how, and feel hopeless. The most dangerous type of criminal is, to himself and to others, one who feels hopeless.
GRAFT : Challenging The Stereotype of Prison Art
When looking for stereotypes of prisons this came up with the relevance to stereotyping prisons art as they can do something but is this good? Due to the nature of them been privileged inside for something they have done wrong within society.
An exhibition at the artlink gallery showcasing a diverse selection of contemporary artwork created by prisoners from HMP Everthorpe together with artwork by their tutors, aiming to dispel the stereotypical idea of 'prison art'.
The prisoner's showing in this exhibition are all mature men, many having witnessed a wide spectrum of life's trials and tribulations. They decided on the title ‘GRAFT' meaning to work hard, after a discussion relating to how they thought their work would be looked upon, they wanted people to know ‘it's been hard graft'. The title came to be and an exhibition was established.
http://www.artlink.uk.net/index.php?idsection=3&subid=3&subsubid=19
Priviledges of Prisoners
Beyond the full range of human rights prisoners are obviously entitled to, is the Incentive and Earned Privilege Scheme (IEPS), which is used to create a dynamic of rewards and punishment for convicted prisoners.
The Prisoners Advice Service says the system is designed to: "encourage responsible behaviour by prisoners; to encourage effort and achievement in work and other constructive activity."
Perks such as increased visits, in-cell television and the right to
wear your own clothes can come as rewards for good behaviour, while
luxuries such as time out of cell and access to private cash can be
reduced as punishment for bad behaviour.
Prisoners work up to 10 hours a day while incarcerated which allows
them to earn money for their personal cash allowance. This can be
deducted or stopped for a maximum of 42 days if a prisoner commits a
behavioural offence in prison.
The cash allowance can go towards purchasing books, magazines, newspapers and writing materials for the prisoners.
Outside of the IEPS, punishments include: forfeiture of facilities
(for a maximum 42 days); stoppage of earnings (maximum 42 days);
cellular confinement (maximum 14 days); or exclusion from work (maximum
21 days).
Interestingly, you can apply to start a family with a married partner
from prison via artificial insemination, although this is only allowed
in extreme cases. Mothers can keep their baby in prison until 18 months
of age, after which most have to give up care of their child.
Education is an important part of rehabilitation within prison.
Prisoners still at compulsory education age get 15 hours a week, while
night school courses and Open University courses are available to older
prisoners.
As the infamous case of Iorworth Hoare, a prisoner serving a life
sentence at Leyhill prison, showed, low security prisoners, such as
those on day release, are allowed to participate in the lottery.
Hoare won £7m
on the National Lottery in 2004, 15 years after being convicted of
rape. Despite ministers' efforts, there are no rules to prevent Hoare
spending the money when he exits prison.
A whopping 98 per cent of prisoners now enjoy privileges, such as
bedroom TV and gym facilities, which are meant to be reserved for the
best behaved
