Blog #17

The NBC documentary “Lockup” was an enlightening viewing experience. I have read our text books and assignment articles which have been very helpful throughout the semester. However, the video opened my eyes to situations and ideas which I was otherwise unaware of. The female prison system is interesting, complex, and from an outsiders view fascinating. There were over 1,100 inmates within the North Carolina Women’s Prison. These criminals have committed crimes of murder, fraud, burglary, D.U.I. and many other offenses. Many of the women within the video are repeat offenders and have been behind bars multiple times. The prison life is a fascinating one.

The video shows daily life as seen by the inmates. They get three meals a day, and make about 40 cents a day working prison jobs. Two particular women were interviewed and made money by loan sharking. The two women worked together and had sexual relations with one another. At times they would find “weak staff” members to get items like drugs, cigarettes, and other things from the free world. “Hustle”, in their minds was the only way to make money and stay above water behind bars. Other inmates had legitimate work. Some women worked in “Cosmo”, a beauty salon. They were able to interact with one another while learning a valuable trade that could potentially better their lives upon releasal. Another useful job that could be had behind bars was with a travel agency. These women actually interacted over the phone with free people from the outside world. These inmates helped people over the phone with travel planning. This job like the others seemed to allow the prisoners a chance to escape from the prison world. Cafeteria work and cleaning were other jobs that prisoners were able to work as well.

Personal affection was a topic discussed in the video. Many of the women inmates were lesbian. These women looked towards the relationships for support and a sense of worth. The women in the video seemingly loved each other and even proclaimed that the relationship “wasn’t all about sex”. Danica had a term 8 years shorter than her lover. When questioned about what she would do when she was released 8 months from now she claimed “she would probably be back”. Shockingly Danica didn’t know what she would do in the free world without her partner Jennifer and vowed she may willingly come back to prison so she could spend her life behind bars with her partner.

The video briefly touched on the lives of corrections officers. The officers were not at all what I had expected and differed greatly from media’s view. There were male and female officers within this all-female prison. The male officer’s needed a female officer’s accompaniment when escorting female prisoners. This insured that male officers would not be falsely accused by inmates in regards to mistreatment or rape. The male and female inmates were not as described in the media. Each guard seemed to be relatively normal, not being overly violent or aggressive. The guards were cautious when dealing with inmates and assertive when doing their respective jobs. In my opinion the correctional officers did a great job in regards to their work. They properly enforced the rules by using a passive aggressive approach. This approach simultaneously earned the inmates respect while allowing CO’s to complete their job in an efficient and correct manner.

The text from Britton and the video both give great insight into the Women’s penal system. It is a mysterious and dynamic animal that is constantly changing. The book and video provide an excellent point of view both from prisoner’s and guard’s and allow an outsider to learn about these systems without actually being a part of It themselves. Both the video and text show that dangers can arise and a careful approach to working in the Penal system is a necessity. Caution must be used as injury and death can occur with a lack thereof. The book also touches on the dynamic between minority Corrections Officer’s and inmates and makes an interesting point. Minority Corrections Officer’s find themselves sympathizing with inmates of a similar race. I can see how this could happen. Inmates are treated differently than free people, and in my opinion this is ultimately fair. These people are behind bars for a reason and their punishment must be served. I don’t believe any preferential or unusually cruel punishment should be given but reality proves this is not the case. Again the justice system is constantly changing and adapting to current situations and legislation. I have faith that the right decisions will be made in regards to Penal Legislation. I truly believe our society will make these institutions, and the laws that go along with them, as fair and just as possible.