Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Prison journalism: The use of power in behind bars

03/10/2023

Prison journalism: The use of power in behind barsDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

by Dean Mashimbwe

03-10-2023 08:09

in Prison Journalism

The Use of Power in Prison. Image via Pexels

During my time in prison, I noticed that the exercise of power plays a significant role in controlling the facility, even within the culture of gangsterism.

--

Hierarchy in gang culture There is always one individual who commands fear and authority, as in gang culture, where there are hierarchical ranks such as Sergeants and even Generals, similar to those found in the military. This hierarchy is the mechanism that governs gang culture in the prison. The more crimes you commit, the higher your accolades and rank within the gang. The General holds the ultimate authority, and everyone submits to their command without question. They have the power to take anything they desire from others.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Free Mind

Violence and control I witnessed a disturbing incident where someone was stabbed simply because the leader of the 28 gang had ordered it. This act of violence occurred because the leader wielded the power to do so. There are also gang members known for their extreme aggression, often referred to as Gabbadin. They are fearless fighters, quick to engage in violence. Incidents where prison officers are stabbed by inmates can often be attributed to these types of gang members.

--

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Life behind bars: Tale of resilience and unexpected bonds

Privileges and corruption While prison food is generally unappetizing, there are occasions when certain gang members receive special treatment, including better food, due to their power and the fear they instill in others. This situation has unfortunately led to corruption and illegitimate activities within the prison system. Prison officers sometimes misuse their authority by engaging in corrupt practices, such as smuggling phones and drugs to select inmates, particularly those with wealthy families.

Segregation and preferential treatment Furthermore, there is a form of segregation within the prison system. When requesting medical attention, some inmates receive preferential treatment, often due to their status as well-known gangsters or their financial resources.

--

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: From maximum to redemption: A journey of change and reflection

Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

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

If you have any questions you would like to ask our prison journalists, WhatsApp us on 060 011 0211.

Do you have contact with a prison inmate who would like to write for The South African website? If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook to get the latest prison journalism articles.

Is jy Afrikaans? Kliek hier vir nuus in jou taal!
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/prison-journalism/prison-journ...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

Africa Stories

09/12/2023

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide so...

09/12/2023

Smoke & Mirrors: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Smoke & Mirrors: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Smoke & Mirrors? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Smoke & Mirrors...

09/12/2023

NIKIWE: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

NIKIWE: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Nikiwe ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Nikiwe soapie right here. Don...

09/12/2023

Gqeberha: The Empire: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Gqeberha: The Empire: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Gqeberha: The Empire? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Gqebe...

09/12/2023

Muvhango: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Muvhango: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Muvhango? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Muvhango soapie right here,do...

09/12/2023

My Brother's Keeper: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

My Brother's Keeper: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of My Brother's Keeper? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of...

09/12/2023

Umkhokha: The Curse: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Umkhokha: The Curse: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Umkhokha: The Curse'? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Um...

09/12/2023

UZALO: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

UZALO: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of uzalo? No problem! Just watch all the latest episodes of uzalo soapie right here, don&#...

09/12/2023

GENERATIONS: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

GENERATIONS: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Generations ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Generations soapie rig...

09/12/2023

African Proverb of the day: 09 December 2023

African Proverb of the day: 09 December 2023An African proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, be...

09/12/2023

SKEEM SAAM: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]

SKEEM SAAM: Friday's episode, 8 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right h...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Gqeberha: Nontle is not handling the end of her marriage well

Tonight on Gqeberha: Nontle is not handling the end of her marriage wellDon't miss tonight's episode of Gqeberha: The Empire, and watch the latest episo...

08/12/2023

Tonight on The River: Refilwe celebrates their hero's bravery

Tonight on The River: Refilwe celebrates their hero's braveryWatch tonight's episode of The River and catch the latest episode every weekday at 20:00 on...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Homecomings aren't always a welcoming event for the prodigal son

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Homecomings aren't always a welcoming event fo...

08/12/2023

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide ...

08/12/2023

LOTTO is played less by already rich' people, say studies

LOTTO is played less by already rich' people, say studiesThe National Lottery LOTTO is one of the country's most popular games. But would you play as m...

08/12/2023

SKEEM SAAM: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

SKEEM SAAM: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right...

08/12/2023

Durban's Trail of Lights' back for the festive season

Durban's Trail of Lights' back for the festive seasonDurban's Trail of Lights is one of the most famous attractions, and it's back for the 2023...

08/12/2023

Africa Fact of the Day: Mamelodi Sundowns is Africa's second-richest club - 8 December 2023

Africa Fact of the Day: Mamelodi Sundowns is Africa's second-richest club - ...

08/12/2023

[WATCH] The end of Lindiwe?' Hlomla Dandala returns to The River' as Zweli

[WATCH] The end of Lindiwe?' Hlomla Dandala returns to The River' as Z...

08/12/2023

Lemogang Tsipa, Siphesihle Ndaba, Linda Sokhulu score roles in Killer Front Page'

Lemogang Tsipa, Siphesihle Ndaba, Linda Sokhulu score roles in Killer Front Pag...

08/12/2023

Streaming Today: Leave The World Behind on Netflix - 8 December 2023

Streaming Today: Leave The World Behind on Netflix - 8 December 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all yo...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Umkhokha: The Curse | Difa confronts MaMzobe about not lashing Xolile

Tonight on Umkhokha: The Curse | Difa confronts MaMzobe about not lashing XolileDiscover what's in store for tonight's episode! Umkhokha: The Curse ai...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Generations: Nozipho suddenly gets cold feet and bolts.

Tonight on Generations: Nozipho suddenly gets cold feet and bolts.Keen to know what's happening on the latest episode of Generations: The Legacy?. Generatio...

08/12/2023

Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Nomalanga is over protective of Thoba

Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Nomalanga is over protective of ThobaGet to know what's happening on tonight's episode of My Brother's Keeper! E...

08/12/2023

Tonight on House of Zwide: The Doctor sits with Rea and Isaac and tells them the way forward

Tonight on House of Zwide: The Doctor sits with Rea and Isaac and tells them the...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Skeem Saam: A young life hangs in the balance and Turf is shaken by the news

Tonight on Skeem Saam: A young life hangs in the balance and Turf is shaken by t...

08/12/2023

Tonight on 7de Laan: Bonita tries to feel motivated from the events of the nightmare

Tonight on 7de Laan: Bonita tries to feel motivated from the events of the night...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Muvhango: Azwindini learns he might be getting cancelled

Tonight on Muvhango: Azwindini learns he might be getting cancelledDon't miss out on the latest drama in Muvhango! Muvhango episodes airs on SABC2 from Mond...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Uzalo: Gabisile, Sibonelo, and his crew, survive Mondli's clutches

Tonight on Uzalo: Gabisile, Sibonelo, and his crew, survive Mondli's clutche...

08/12/2023

Tonight on Scandal: A desperate Prudence asks Nhlamulo to do the unthinkable

Tonight on Scandal: A desperate Prudence asks Nhlamulo to do the unthinkableGet to know what's happening on tonight's episode!. Scandal episodes airs on...

08/12/2023

African Proverb of the day: 08 December 2023

African Proverb of the day: 08 December 2023An African proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, be...

08/12/2023

Muvhango: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Muvhango: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Muvhango? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Muvhango soapie right here,...

08/12/2023

Gqeberha: The Empire: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Gqeberha: The Empire: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Gqeberha: The Empire? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Gqe...

08/12/2023

NIKIWE: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

NIKIWE: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Nikiwe ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Nikiwe soapie right here. Don&...

08/12/2023

Smoke & Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Smoke & Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Smoke & Mirrors? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Smoke & Mirro...

08/12/2023

GENERATIONS: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

GENERATIONS: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Generations ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Generations soapie r...

08/12/2023

UZALO: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

UZALO: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of uzalo? No problem! Just watch all the latest episodes of uzalo soapie right here, don...

08/12/2023

Umkhokha: The Curse: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

Umkhokha: The Curse: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Umkhokha: The Curse'? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of ...

08/12/2023

My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of My Brother's Keeper? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes ...

08/12/2023

SCANDAL: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]

SCANDAL: Thursday's episode, 7 December 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. D...

07/12/2023

Tonight on Scandal: Vuvu finds it hard to accept her mother's surprising decision

Tonight on Scandal: Vuvu finds it hard to accept her mother's surprising dec...

07/12/2023

Tonight on The River: Morena gets to focus on his issues

Tonight on The River: Morena gets to focus on his issuesWatch tonight's episode of The River and catch the latest episode every weekday at 20:00 on 1 Magic,...

07/12/2023

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa has an immediate connection with Dabawo

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa has an immediate connection with DabawoDon't miss out on what's happening tonight on Smoke and Mirrors. Watch la...

07/12/2023

7de Laan live updates: Vanessa treats herself and her friends to a luxurious pampering session

7de Laan live updates: Vanessa treats herself and her friends to a luxurious pam...

07/12/2023

House of Zwide live updates: Isaac thanks Maria for telling him the truth about Rea

House of Zwide live updates: Isaac thanks Maria for telling him the truth about ...

07/12/2023

Kaizer Chiefs featured in American Truck Simulator!

Kaizer Chiefs featured in American Truck Simulator!The Kaizer Chiefs have built up a strong brand, and it's become one that you can recognize everywhere. He...

07/12/2023

Scandal live updates: Vuvu finds it hard to accept her mother's surprising decision

Scandal live updates: Vuvu finds it hard to accept her mother's surprising d...

07/12/2023

Generations - The Legacy live updates: Tracy overhears something which instantly gets her back up

Generations - The Legacy live updates: Tracy overhears something which instantly...

07/12/2023

Muvhango live updates: Mpho catches Khumo red handed

Muvhango live updates: Mpho catches Khumo red handedWhat's new on Muvhango? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favorite television ...