Prison journalism: Social, Psychological, and Economic Consequences of Imprisonment

Prison journalism: Social, Psychological, and Economic Consequences of ImprisonmentDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

by Dean Mashimbwe

30-10-2023 11:05

in Prison Journalism

Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

Image by unsplash

After spending two days in a police station, sleeping on a concrete floor with mosquitoes biting every exposed patch of skin, and the lingering smell of urine in the humid, stifling air, I found myself in what I can only describe as organized chaos: a courtroom in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Cape Town.

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The Realization of a Life-Altering Change It struck me like a warm, wet slap to my face as I sat there that my life was about to change in an entirely new way. This change would test me, try me, and push me to my limits. There is nothing anyone can tell you that can fully describe the hopelessness and frustration of being incarcerated in a foreign land.

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Life in Overcrowded Prisons After the court proceedings, I was transferred to one of Cape Town's overcrowded prisons, housing nearly 8000 inmates. To put this into perspective, Zimbabwe's largest prison holds 2100 inmates, but it covers three times the area of Cape Town's Pollsmoor Prison. After a series of undressing, standing up, sitting down, and exposing body parts not usually on display, we finally passed through the gates into the building that would be my new home for the foreseeable future.

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This harrowing journey exposed me to serious violence, gangsterism, substance abuse, and, although it didn't happen to me, I witnessed sexual abuse. This is why gay inmates are placed in single cells to avoid any form of sexual abuse. I remember someone being sexually abused for cigarettes and food. While in prison, I felt so hopeless that I attempted to take my own life. The recreational facilities were so poor that most inmates spent their time practicing violence and engaging in gangsterism.

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The Social and Psychological Effects of Imprisonment The social effects occur in two stages of a prisoner's life: during confinement and upon re-entry into society. All inmates experience prisonization, leading to a reduced social status upon their return to the community. As a result, former inmates often lead lonely and helpless lives. The primary psychological effects of imprisonment are self-condemnation, guilt, and boredom, which result in a loss of perspective and self-confidence.

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After release, prisoners frequently withdraw from others and harbour hostile feelings toward society and the criminal justice system, accompanied by constant anxiety. Imprisonment also exacerbates their existing financial problems. Neither the government nor the community provides adequate support to help ex-offenders address their issues. Inmates often receive vocational training during their confinement but rarely secure employment in the same field after release. Consequently, former inmates are highly susceptible to future criminal involvement.

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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