Prison Life: Pain, Resistance, and Purpose

Prison Life offers a fresh appreciation of how people in prison organize their lives, drawing on case studies from Africa, Europe, and the US. It contrasts the soul-destroying isolation of the federal supermax in Florence, Colorado, with the crowded conviviality of an Ethiopian prison. It explores life on wings controlled by the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland's H Blocks, where men who saw the actions that led to their incarceration as politically-motivated moved as one, in perpetual defiance of the authorities. It also shows how prisoners in Texas took to the courts to overthrow a regime that allowed their routine subjugation by violent men known as building tenders.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: New York University Press

Prisons around the world play a significant role in shaping the social lives of their inhabitants. Prison Life, a book by Ian O Donnell, offers a fresh appreciation of how people in prison organize their lives, drawing on case studies from Africa, Europe, and the US. The book describes how order is maintained, power is exercised, days are spent, and meaning is found in a variety of environments that all have the same function – incarceration – but discharge it very differently. It is based on an unusually diverse range of sources, including photographs, drawings, court cases, official reports, memoirs, and site visits.

One of the key themes of the book is the contrast between the soul-destroying isolation of the federal supermax in Florence, Colorado, and the crowded conviviality of an Ethiopian prison. In Florence, prisoners are isolated in small cells for long periods of time, with little opportunity for social interaction or meaningful activity. In contrast, in the Ethiopian prison, men and women cook their own meals, seek opportunities to generate an income, elect a leadership team, and live according to a code of conduct that they devised and enforce.

Donnell also explores life on wings controlled by the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland's H Blocks, where men who saw the actions that led to their incarceration as politically-motivated moved as one, in perpetual defiance of the authorities. He shows how prisoners in Texas took to the courts to overthrow a regime that allowed their routine subjugation by violent men known as building tenders, who had been selected by staff to supervise and discipline their peers.

In each case study, O Donnell presents the life story of a man who was molded by, and in return molded, the institution that held him. This ensures that his reflections on law and policy as well as on theory and practice never lose sight of the human angle. Imprisonment is about pain after all, and pain is personal.

One of the challenges that prisons face is the overcrowding of their facilities. Overcrowding can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including increased violence, poor health, and a lack of access to education and rehabilitation programs. Prisons in the US, for example, are overcrowded by more than 100%, with many inmates living in cells designed for two or three people.

To address overcrowding, prisons have implemented a range of strategies, including building new facilities, reducing the number of inmates, and implementing programs that promote rehabilitation and reentry. However, these strategies have been met with resistance from some members of the public, who argue that prisons should be harsh and punitive.

Another challenge that prisons face is the impact of technology on their operations. With the rise of smartphones and other digital devices, prisoners have access to a wide range of information and communication tools that can help them to stay connected with the outside world. However, these tools can also be used to facilitate criminal activity, such as drug trafficking and cybercrime.

To address this challenge, prisons have implemented a range of policies, including banning smartphones and other digital devices, and implementing programs that teach prisoners how to use technology responsibly. However, these policies have been met with resistance from some prisoners, who argue that they should be allowed to use technology to stay connected with their families and friends.

Despite these challenges, prisons can play a positive role in society. Prisons can provide a safe and secure environment for inmates, and can help to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. Prisons can also provide a range of services, such as education and healthcare, that can help to improve the quality of life for inmates and their families.

However, to achieve these goals, prisons must be managed effectively. This requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness. Prisons must also be staffed by trained and experienced professionals who are committed to the well-being of their inmates.

In conclusion, prisons around the world play a significant role in shaping the social lives of their inhabitants. Prison Life offers a fresh appreciation of how people in prison organize their lives, drawing on case studies from Africa, Europe, and the US. The book describes how order is maintained, power is exercised, days are spent, and meaning is found in a variety of environments that all have the same function – incarceration – but discharge it very differently. By implementing a range of strategies, including building new facilities, reducing the number of inmates, and implementing programs that promote rehabilitation and reentry, prisons can play a positive role in society. However, to achieve these goals, prisons must be managed effectively and staffed by trained and experienced professionals who are committed to the well-being of their inmates.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479816156