Life Behind Bars in America - Essay Example

Order 301395 Topic: Proposal Argument Cover Letter: To The Editor, -----------------Times, New York. Dear Sir, As requested by you, I have carried out the survey of the Gala County “Adolescent Prison” and I enclose herewith the article containing my observations. I like to add that this reporting has been a rewarding experience for me and an eye-opener. Thanking you, Yours truly, XYZ Introduction: When I received the invitation for the function as a Guest of Honor, on behalf of the newspaper for which I write often, for the Fifth Anniversary of the Youth Prison, I accepted it with mixed feelings. The feedback that I received was that the prison houses first time offenders between the ages 18-25. The prison for adolescents was exclusively constructed on a sprawling 60 acre plot in a hillside village, five years ago. The place is so beautiful; a visitor will mistake it for a hillside resort. I have gone through the introductory literature about the ‘developments’ that have taken place in this prison over the last five years, but visiting it in person makes my heart fill with joy and sorrow unspeakable. When this village was acquired by the government authorities, for constructing a prison complex, the village spirit must have shed tears! It must have cried and appealed, ‘My green pastures should not become the abode for criminals!’ But something great happened over the years. Socio-spiritual vibrations began to zoom in and around the prison complex. Many depressed youngsters were transformed into marching soldiers conducing philanthropic activities in their wards, as well as outside the prison upon completion of their prison term or honorable acquittal. Through the dirty lane of criminality they were able to reach the royal road to the mansion of honest life. The problem: In this prison, I came across face to face with the modern ‘terror generation!’ The generation that is in a hurry! The generation that acts before thinking! The generation that operates callously, disregarding the consequences! This prison houses about 1500-2000, and is built to accommodate 3000. Thank God that capacity is not yet reached! These youngsters are in this prison, not because of their daring activities, but because of the devilish deeds! I am told that some of them may be innocents too, but have to prove their innocence in the impending legal trials. Keeping and controlling such a ‘quality’ flock of big numbers is no ordinary achievement for the prison administration! Why one becomes a criminal? The reasons are many. Economic, social, property disputes, love-triangles, drug peddling and drug consumption, personal enmity and the listing can go on endlessly. It is the duty of the responsible society to find the solutions and rehabilitate them. These youngsters can not and should not be allowed to go astray throughout their life. They are in prison at present, and their freedom of movement is curbed by their wrong choices, stroke of ill-luck or unfortunate circumstances. Read what Michael G. Santos says—how he landed in prison. “Because everyone involved was of similar age and opinion, we did not listen to those wanting to steer us clear of folly we were about to embark upon; I failed to grasp the seriousness of my criminal wrongdoing. As idiotic and shortsighted as it sounds, neither my friends nor I then considered that our actions could actually lead us into the vice grip of the criminal justice machine.”(Santos, 2007, p.1) Prison managements all over the world have realized that punishment, though called for, for heinous crimes as per the provisions of law, does not afford an opportunity for redemption. It rather, leads to more damage to the personality of the prisoners. By indifferent and apathetic treatments, psychologically shaken prisoners get completely shattered and the hard core ones turn more and more vengeful and stonehearted. With stiff attitudes, these youngsters, upon release from prison, turn into more violent perpetrators of crime. Thus, it is necessary that the prisoners be afforded an opportunity to change themselves from within. Solution to the problem: Cane to tame these youngsters, is not the permanent solution to the problem. The root cause of all crimes is the same. Mental imbalance! Negativities hovering in the mind! The system has to find the root cause and treat it there. The thought processes of the youngsters need to change. When the thought process changes the action process will also change! When the thoughts are changed, the mind is changed; when the mind is changed, the man is changed; when the man is changed, the society is changed; when the society is changed, the Nation is changed! The present desperate youngsters need urgent and desperate remedies, but they also need to be the everlasting ones! Violence is not something new to the humanity. The pages of human history daubed in bloodshed, ask the crying question. How to make the Planet Earth heaven-like? The answer is simple and straightforward. Eyes full of understanding, hearts full of love and the life that refuses conflicts—enough, these alone are enough! This implies, all attempts need to aim to change the hearts of men! The prison authorities are precisely doing the same through various activities, which are part of their psycho-analytical treatment module. These small activities have profound significance to touch the inner core of the prisoners. The prison administration has specially designed a capsule course of three months, which every prisoner has to undergo, as per rules and regulations laid down in the Prison Manual. Specially trained counselors in moral and ethical counseling are appointed for the purpose. Some Non-governmental Organizations also assist the Prison administration in this noble task. Though not attracted to such exposures, a remarkable change is seen in the youngsters as for their attitudes, within a period of one week. Difficult cases are segregated from the regular groups, which normally consists of 10-15 youngsters. One to one, intensive counseling is given to such individuals. The counselors are amiable, understanding and empathetic. They listen to their grievances and life stories and provide them doses of inspiration. Once they regain the composure they are assimilated in the regular groups. Special discourses: Step two is to expose them to serious topics related to human life, by directing them to attend discourses. This is a combined exercise, wherein several groups join together. This program is held in the prison auditorium that has the seating capacity of 800 persons. Sometimes guest speakers are invited. Today’s cultural program, the dance-drama, in which all the participants are exclusively the prisoners, is scheduled to be held in this auditorium. The discourses cover topics like The Goal of Human Life, Mind Control, Canalizing the Human Potentialities, Happiness and Sorrow, True Freedom, The Ill Effects of Vices, The Strength of Prayer etc. The prisoners also attend special physical exercise and meditation classes. When a new prisoner continues to partake in holistic and moral lectures, associates with those with similar bent of mind and does meditation regularly, the dark side of his personality begins to melt, and positivism sprouts. Light and darkness are mutually exclusive. The inner beautification process begins to yield results. The dynamic forces have taken charge and have begun to chisel a new personality within. Negative propensities have fallen apart and positive attitudes have taken charge. The mind, which was floundering in passion and used to think about plans of future criminal activities, and that once submerged in delusions, is now seated in the quiet inner chambers. It has begun the ascent to achieve its superior nature-- that of equanimity, perfect poise and peace! Justification of the solution and conclusion: At the end of the three months course, the Jail Superintendent reported attitudinal and behavioral changes in majority of the youngsters. The following developments were observed. They …. Give up consumption of intoxicants. Perceptible changes in food habits. Prefer vegetarian food Comprehend evil consequences of vice like anger, greed, passion etc. Realize the damaging repercussions from feelings of hatred and revenge Wish to give up obnoxious activities and lead a pious and contented life by assimilating with the civilized society, once released from the prison, after completion of their prison term. That slogan on the main wall of the prison is permanently embossed in the curtain of my mind. “I LOVE MY COUNTRY.” If you had really loved your country, my dear youngsters, this prison would not have been your abode at such a young age! Some other great slogans painted on the inner walls of the prison, demanded attention. “Do not commit sins and ill-deeds just for the sake of money, power and prestige!” “Purify the self; that leads to the knowledge of Soul.” ---I still remember that sight! The Prison was in festive mood that day in view of the impending annual celebrations in the evening! The youngsters in colorful attire! T-Shirts, fashionable trousers, casuals, jackets—the prison surely had the look of a college campus! They were practicing the dances for the cultural show, to the beating of the drums and to the symphony of the recorded songs! One song was something like, “We shall carry the message to each and every heart….of love, righteousness and duty….to each and every heart… we will reach out to each and every heart….” In fine, the study of the conditions, the lives of the youngsters in the prison and interaction with them have been a rewarding experience for me. There exists a sub-culture special to the prisons. The society outside must try to know it and grasp the sensitivities within, to find ideal solutions. =================== Works Cited: Santos, Michael, G. Inside: Life Behind Bars in America Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: St. Martins Griffin (June 26, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0312343507 ISBN-13: 978-0312343507 Read More

These youngsters can not and should not be allowed to go astray throughout their life. They are in prison at present, and their freedom of movement is curbed by their wrong choices, stroke of ill-luck or unfortunate circumstances. Read what Michael G. Santos says—how he landed in prison. “Because everyone involved was of similar age and opinion, we did not listen to those wanting to steer us clear of folly we were about to embark upon; I failed to grasp the seriousness of my criminal wrongdoing.

As idiotic and shortsighted as it sounds, neither my friends nor I then considered that our actions could actually lead us into the vice grip of the criminal justice machine.”(Santos, 2007, p.1) Prison managements all over the world have realized that punishment, though called for, for heinous crimes as per the provisions of law, does not afford an opportunity for redemption. It rather, leads to more damage to the personality of the prisoners. By indifferent and apathetic treatments, psychologically shaken prisoners get completely shattered and the hard core ones turn more and more vengeful and stonehearted.

With stiff attitudes, these youngsters, upon release from prison, turn into more violent perpetrators of crime. Thus, it is necessary that the prisoners be afforded an opportunity to change themselves from within. Solution to the problem: Cane to tame these youngsters, is not the permanent solution to the problem. The root cause of all crimes is the same. Mental imbalance! Negativities hovering in the mind! The system has to find the root cause and treat it there. The thought processes of the youngsters need to change.

When the thought process changes the action process will also change! When the thoughts are changed, the mind is changed; when the mind is changed, the man is changed; when the man is changed, the society is changed; when the society is changed, the Nation is changed! The present desperate youngsters need urgent and desperate remedies, but they also need to be the everlasting ones! Violence is not something new to the humanity. The pages of human history daubed in bloodshed, ask the crying question.

How to make the Planet Earth heaven-like? The answer is simple and straightforward. Eyes full of understanding, hearts full of love and the life that refuses conflicts—enough, these alone are enough! This implies, all attempts need to aim to change the hearts of men! The prison authorities are precisely doing the same through various activities, which are part of their psycho-analytical treatment module. These small activities have profound significance to touch the inner core of the prisoners.

The prison administration has specially designed a capsule course of three months, which every prisoner has to undergo, as per rules and regulations laid down in the Prison Manual. Specially trained counselors in moral and ethical counseling are appointed for the purpose. Some Non-governmental Organizations also assist the Prison administration in this noble task. Though not attracted to such exposures, a remarkable change is seen in the youngsters as for their attitudes, within a period of one week.

Difficult cases are segregated from the regular groups, which normally consists of 10-15 youngsters. One to one, intensive counseling is given to such individuals. The counselors are amiable, understanding and empathetic. They listen to their grievances and life stories and provide them doses of inspiration. Once they regain the composure they are assimilated in the regular groups. Special discourses: Step two is to expose them to serious topics related to human life, by directing them to attend discourses.

This is a combined exercise, wherein several groups join together. This program is held in the prison auditorium that has the seating capacity of 800 persons. Sometimes guest speakers are invited. Today’s cultural program, the dance-drama, in which all the participants are exclusively the prisoners, is scheduled to be held in this auditorium.

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