Here
are 10 things you never knew or expected about prisons all over the world:
1. Prison
Libraries: One of the first shocking things that inmates may find in prison
is a library. However, it only makes sense that inmates have something to fill
their time and keep them occupied. Many prisons have extensive libraries that
offer a wide variety of books to inmates, and it is no surprise that inmates
end up being more avid readers than people in the general public. The reading
culture is groomed in prison and inmates often get books donated to them or
sent as gifts, aside from the collection by the prison system itself. So, if
you stereotype all incarcerated individuals as dumb or illiterate, remember
that some of them may visit their prison or law libraries to learn a lot of information.
2. Prison
Degrees: As a means of helping inmates leave criminal life behind or move
on after their corrections or sentence, a lot of prisons in first-world and
second-world countries often make provisions for their inmates to study online
or at school within the prison. In the case that such an inmate does
exceedingly well, there is the possibility of getting employed within the
prison as well or working under community service to reduce their imprisonment
tenure. Incarcerated individuals are not eligible for federal student loans and
are not racking up student loan debt to get degrees.
Image Source: Pixabay
3. Recording
Studios: For inmates who have a love for and history with music, one
amazing jail or prison fact is that they don’t have to put their careers on
hold. Rappers like 2pac, Mac Dre, and recently Young Thug, have released albums
while behind bars. With the right permission and environment, music can be created,
and concerts can be had within correctional facilities. The artist who is most
famous for his prison albums is Johnny Cash, who was a country music artist.
Johnny Cash is said to have released his most iconic albums while behind bars
and even hosted a concert with thousands of inmates as his audience. That’s
quite a surprising or shocking feat.
4. Prison
Enterprises: With all the free time, it is not a surprise that jail time is
when inspiration can hit hardest. Some prisoners often start multimillionaire
enterprises within the walls of their facilities. Ranging from drugs to art
sculptures or paintings and even recipes. The solace can allow artists to focus
on their craft and hone it into a source of income. Several organizations exist
to support prisoner rights while they run businesses as well as to empower and
encourage them to run their several businesses. Although some people have made
poor choices that ended them up in jail or prison, they have turned things
around and made different or better choices as incarcerated businesspeople.
5. Prison
Farms: In many prisons around the world, inmates are involved in farming
and agricultural activities either legally or illegally. They cultivate crops,
clear lands, and are involved in quarrying in exchange for payment in kind,
such as food or allowances for certain things. This exercise can also be done
as community service with the aim of providing food for the prison population
and contributing to local communities. Participants get reduced tenure, which
is graded by their service. So, the next time you eat farm fresh veggies and
fruit, keep in mind that it’s possible that they may have been cultivated by
incarcerated individuals.
6. Prison
Religions: Of all the surprising facts about prisons or jails, this is a
staple fact. Although criminals are locked up, they are respected as humans and
a part of society, and their rights are protected. One such right is the
freedom of expression and the right to have beliefs and religion. It is therefore
expected that inmates would require a place to gather if they are of similar
faiths. In several prisons, the system makes provision for churches, mosques, or
prayer grounds, and occasionally religious events and outreaches often extend
to the prison. One recent example is the Kingdom Book One Album, which was
recorded in prison with inmates by Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music.
Image Source: Pixabay
7. Filming
In Prison: While it is more common that films are shot using a prison
setting, inmates can produce a movie on their own. With the right types of
equipment and licensing, inmates can produce and distribute movies. An example
of this is Beverly Van-de-Velde who was recruited by a sub-contracted company
to educate inmates about the media. She reportedly ended up producing a porn
movie with full credit to the inmates who participated with her, and the movie
was released.
8. Prisons
Pets: While dogs or “fur babies” are not strangers to prisons all over the
world, they are mostly owned by guards, but for the sake of emotional support
and as an exercise of human rights, inmates are sometimes allowed to own pets
if they wish, depending on the facility.
9. Prison
Clubs: While it may be no surprise that gang members exist in prison, it
may come as a surprise to know that there are prison clubs. Most clubs have
branches in prison ranging from music, poetry, games, religion, and several
other professional associations. Surprisingly, inmates can be elected as parish
pastors, club leaders, and participants in the event as such.
10. Getting
Married: In case your fiancé gets imprisoned, have no fear. Marital rights
are protected within the prison walls, and there are provisions to mate with
your partner if you are legally married, except in federal U.S. prisons. Otherwise,
it is possible for women to get pregnant and raise your kid(s) for the first
two years within the prison world before your partner takes over. Starting a family
while in prison is no longer a dream but a happening reality.
Image Source: Pixabay
Conclusion
With
the provisions of free food, access to family and visitation, ability to make a
living, and proper living conditions, it is no shock that a lot of inmates can lead
“comfortable” lives in prison and may not wish to leave, while some count the
days until they are free. The “fun” fact is that a couple of individuals have
been able to break free from prisons in the past, and some measures are
dramatic such as helicopter escapes. Although the conditions vary across
countries, states, and prisons, a jail or prison sentence or verdict does not
have to mean that an incarcerated individual has to give up on having some
sense of meaningful purpose and fulfillment in life while allowing their time to
serve them.
References:
https://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-most-amazing-things-accomplished-while-in-prison
https://www.kickassfacts.com/prison-facts/
https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/aid-info-for-incarcerated-individuals.pdf