Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Prison journalism: Challenges in South African Prisons

07/12/2023

Prison journalism: Challenges in South African PrisonsDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

by Dean Mashimbwe

07-12-2023 09:01

in Prison Journalism

Prison

Image via Unsplash

With overcrowding, poor sanitation, poor nutrition, inadequate medical care, and a culture of toxic masculinity, South African prisons are environments conducive to both the transmission of HIV as well as its rapid progression to illness and even death.

--

Prison Life in South Africa: A Harsh Reality Prison in South Africa is a completely different world on its own, with its own rules. You might come out of a good home expect absolute hell but do not fear it; it will also pass. Your world will be turned upside down, so try and foresee things that you are not used to.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: How to build a Snowman in prison

Survival Tactics for New Prisoners The most important thing to remember if you are about to go to prison is act like a hardcore prisoner in order to fit in and adapt so quickly it sounds strange, but gangsters can recognise so quickly if you are new in prison. Old gangsters don't like to intimidate other old prisoners because they are old already; they want the new arrivals. They can realise quickly through your eyes if you are scared of them so you should look tough and strong and act like you are not scared of anything because they are going to take what you have if they want it. The moment gangsters are satisfied with what they get from you they make sure they recruit you. Be always alert and don't trust anybody and be vigilant of who you call a friend, and it helps when you became friends with other old inmates who are non-gang members.

--

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: The Homecoming

Negotiating Survival within the Cell Cells are extremely overcrowded, and you are basically at the mercy of the gang-leader in the cell. The best thing to do is to wait it out a bit to make sure you identify who is the boss in the cell there will be others running around serving him. Then approach cautiously and negotiate a deal; usually, if they leave you in peace, you'll make sure they get some cigarettes (prison's main currency ). Obviously, this can only work if you have money and a friend outside who can bring in the cigarettes. This often gets smuggled in through one of the officers again, it will take some time to detect which officer is open to bribes to bring this in for you of course, also at a price. Your friend can also legally pay in a small amount of money in your name, and on certain days (for example, every Wednesday), you are allowed to go to the canteen to buy things mostly candy or cigarettes are available.

ALSO READ: Prison journalism: Reflections from Inside Prison

--

Navigating Gang Protocols for Safety The gangs have strict protocols, and for your safety, you should align with them without compromising your sanity or body. For example, when entering a cell already full of prisoners, you go and sit down just in front of the cell-door even if you see an open bed or cell-bunk. Wait till you get INVITED to approach. Do not TAKE ANY GIFT from anybody especially not in a crowded cell it is often a test to see how receptible you are. They believe very much in a favour for a favour. So, if you GOT something for free (like a cigarette), it's your turn to GIVE something for free. Rather do it the other way round YOU give for free, and so if they take your gift, they will know they owe you (unless they have already robbed you of what you had so hide what you have in very deep places, if you know what I mean).

FOR NOW I will make every effort to pull through. However, my feelings toward bed linger on. Nevertheless, to say, it has been some seasons that I am away from the lock-up, and my willpower is growing.

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.

WIN R250 per day with our Christmas Advent Calendar competition - CLICK HERE
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/prison-journalism/prison-journ...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

Most recent headlines

04/12/2025

Riedel and Haivision Join Forces to Advance Wireless Vide...

Riedel Communications today announced a new partnership with Haivision, a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual col...

04/12/2025

Harmonic and Normann Engineering Achieve Major Milestone...

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) and Normann Engineering today announced a major milestone in their strategic collaboration, celebrating 20 successful broadband deployme...

04/12/2025

Foundry introduces Multi-Paint support for Mari 7-5 devel...

Creative software developer Foundry today announced Mari 7.5, the latest iteration of its artist-friendly paint toolset that can handle large, detailed assets w...

04/12/2025

Professional Wireless Systems PWS Manages Over 1000 Wirel...

Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), a leading provider of wireless audio solutions and RF management, was on site at Dreamforce 2025 in San Francisco providing...

04/12/2025

Lionsgate and Debmar-Mercury partner with LTN to power di...

LTN's purpose-built IP video network brings all-movie diginet to over 100 stations and streaming platforms in just three months while eliminating satellite ...

04/12/2025

Bitmovin and ThinkAnalytics Partner to Deliver Intelligen...

Bitmovin, the leading provider of video streaming solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with ThinkAnalytics, the global leader in AI-powered data a...

04/12/2025

The HELM and Keslow Camera join forces to launch Keslow L...

The HELM, a global expert in cinematic live broadcast and high-end production workflows, has signed a partnership agreement with Keslow Camera, one of North Ame...

04/12/2025

LiveU Pushes Creative Boundaries at ISE 2026 Powering Ric...

At ISE 2026, LiveU will showcase its expanded IP-video EcoSystem, enabling broadcasters, sports, production companies and pro-AV professionals to share their st...

04/12/2025

Broadcasters See More Potential in Programmatic Advertising

Since the beginning of commercial television, advertising has been a key part of broadcasting. Over the years, the technology for inserting ads into programs ha...

04/12/2025

HBO Max Plans Significant Expansion of European Footprint

MUNICH and MILAN Warner Bros. Discovery said HBO Max is expanding into Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein on Jan. 13, 2026, and ...

04/12/2025

AudioShake Launches Features for Removing Copyrighted Music

SAN FRANCISCO AudioShake has launched its first streaming-capable software development kits (SDKs) designed specifically for real-time music detection and copyr...

04/12/2025

TNDV Wraps REMI Production of a Fishing Tournament in Mexico

NASHVILLE The mobile and REMI production company TNDV has announced that it headed south into Mexico to live-produce the three-day 2025 Zane Grey Championship P...

04/12/2025

HPA Executive Director Phil Kubel Steps Down

BURBANK, Calif. Hollywood Professionals Association Executive Director Phil Kubel has stepped down from the organization to pursue new opportunities, the group ...

04/12/2025

FCC Closes More Than 2,000 Inactive Proceedings

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission said it has closed 2,048 inactive proceedings, the largest number of dormant dockets ever terminated in a singl...

04/12/2025

AV1 Open Video Codec Now Powers 30% of Netflix Streaming

A new tech blog from Netflix highlights the importance of the AV1 open video codec, which now powers about 30% of the platform's streaming and discusses a v...

04/12/2025

Hyundai renew its sponsorship of Dancing with the Stars

The ninth series of Dancing with the Stars returns to screens in early 2026 and will be proudly sponsored by Hyundai Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz an...

04/12/2025

Game the Halls: GeForce NOW Brings Holiday Cheer With 30 New Games in the Cloud

GeForce NOW is decking the digital halls with 30 new games to keep spirits high all month long. Join the fun with Hogwarts Legacy, the LEGO Harry Potter Collec...

04/12/2025

December 03, 2025

Scientists find cancer weak spot in backup DNA repair system New findings from Scripps Research reveal how certain tumors survive DNA damage and point to a stra...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2025 Boilerplate More Details: The Composition Builder 2025 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2025 Boilerplate More Details: just:live pro 2025 is a Single Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-t...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2025 Boilerplate More Details: just:play pro 2025 is a Single Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and ...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAr live:cut 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAr live:cut 2025 Boilerplate More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2025 Boilerplate More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2025 Boilerplate More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...

03/12/2025

ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2025 Boilerplate

ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2025 Boilerplate More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...

03/12/2025

Opportunity awaits Young Journalist of the Year winner

Tracy Bonareri Onchoke, Thomson's Young Journalist of the year 2025 is hoping the accolade will be a springboard to more cross-border collaboration between ...

03/12/2025

MLS Cup 2025 Production To Feature Four iPhone 17 Pros as Game-Coverage Cameras

MLS Cup 2025 Production To Feature Four iPhone 17 Pros as Game-Coverage CamerasStay tuned to SVG on Friday for our in-depth story on this year's MLS Cup pro...

03/12/2025

SVG LIVE! 2025: All Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG LIVE! 2025: All Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAYThe inaugural event placed a spotlight on the exciting world of live entertainmentBy SVG Staff ...

03/12/2025

Endless Cookie Is an Animated Documentary Unlike Any Other

(L-R) Peter Scriver and Seth Scriver introduce their documentary Endless Cookie for its premiere at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City. (Photo by Andrew H. Wa...

03/12/2025

Listeners Worldwide Crown Bad Bunny Global Top Artist for the Fourth Time and His Latest Release Takes Global Top Album

For the fourth time, Bad Bunny is the most-streamed Wrapped artist on Spotify gl...

03/12/2025

2025 Wrapped Is Here With More Layers, Stories, and Connection Than Ever Before

The wait is over. It's time to look back at the audio that defined your year with 2025 Spotify Wrapped, our annual celebration for fans, artists, creators, ...

03/12/2025

Los oyentes del mundo coronan a Bad Bunny como el Top Artista Global por cuarta vez y su ltimo lanzamiento se lleva el Top lbum Global

Por cuarta vez, Bad Bunny es el Top Artista Global de Wrapped en Spotify, con 19...

03/12/2025

These Music Trends Took 2025 in Surprising New Directions

Spotify Wrapped is back, and as always, it's powered by the billions of streams that fans around the world delivered throughout the year. From the artists w...

03/12/2025

The 2025 Wrapped Guide for Artists, Songwriters, Creators, Authors, and Advertisers

Spotify Wrapped is the moment when hundreds of millions of fans around the world...

03/12/2025

The Top Artists, Songs, Albums, Podcasts, and Audiobooks of 2025

With more than 700 million listeners around the world turning to Spotify to soundtrack their lives, it's time to look back at the audio that defined the yea...

03/12/2025

Los top artistas, canciones, lbumes, pdcasts y audiolibros de 2025

Con m s de 700 millones de oyentes en todo el mundo usando Spotify para acompa ar su d a a d a, es momento de mirar hacia atr s y ver el audio que marc el a o....

03/12/2025

Inside the 2025 Audiobook Trends on Spotify: Romantasy, Modern Classics, and What's Next

From page-turning thrillers to inspiring memoirs, audiobooks are becoming a core...

03/12/2025

Os Top Artistas, Msicas, lbuns, Podcasts e Audiolivros de 2025

Com mais de 700 milh es de ouvintes em todo o mundo recorrendo ao Spotify para embalar seu dia a dia, chega o momento de revisitar o udio que marcou o ano. Nos...

03/12/2025

How Our 2025 Wrapped Campaign Turns Your Year in Listening Into a Global Celebration

Spotify Wrapped celebrates the audio that defined our year, and the annual globa...

03/12/2025

Lionsgate, Debmar-Mercury Turn to LTN to Distribute MovieSphereGold

COLUMBIA, Md. Lionsgate and its TV syndicator subsidiary Debmar-Mercury have selected LTN to launch and deliver the new MovieSphereGold all-movie digital networ...

03/12/2025

Bitmovin, ThinkAnalytics Partner to Expand AI Capabilities

VIENNA, Austria Video streaming solutions provider Bitmovin and ThinkAnalytics, a provider of AI-powered data analytics for TV, have formed a strategic partners...

03/12/2025

Dolby and NFM to Debut First-Ever Dolby Home Experience

SAN FRANCISCO & THE COLONY, Texas Dolby Laboratories is making what it is calling a new chapter in its retail efforts as part of an agreement with NFM (Nebras...

03/12/2025

Chinese Broadcaster Takes Delivery of Native-IP Outside Broadcast Vehicle

MONTREAL Grass Valley has delivered a 4K Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) outside broadcast (OB) truck to Guangdong Radio and Television (GRT), in partnership with B...

03/12/2025

Whats New in Maxon One

Our users spoke and we listened. December's Maxon One release delivers long-awaited improvements across Cinema 4D, Redshift, ZBrush, and Red Giant. Whether...

03/12/2025

DHD Highlights Latest-Generation Advances in Broadcast Au...

DHD audio reports a successful 2025 with new additions to its range of broadcast-quality audio production, post-production and routing equipment. DHD innovatio...

03/12/2025

Grass Valley Delivers Breakthrough 4K UHD OB Truck to Gua...

Grass Valley recently delivered a cutting-edge 4K Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) outside broadcast (OB) truck to Guangdong Radio and Television (GRT), in partnersh...

03/12/2025

New GatesAir ATSC 3.0 Exciter Targets Global Markets

CINCINNATI GatesAir has introduced Maxiva XTK, an update to its Maxiva XTE software-defined TV exciter. XTK is a new cost-efficient model primarily developed fo...

03/12/2025

Riedel, Haivision Partner on Wireless Video Transmission Solutions

WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications is partnering with Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboratio...

03/12/2025

FCC Sets Deadlines for Comments on Nexstar Acquisition of Tegna

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket for comments on the proposed $6.2 billion Nexstar acquisition for Tegna and set deadlines f...