Prison Journalism: Realities and challenges in Pollsmoor Prison

Prison Journalism: Realities and challenges in Pollsmoor PrisonDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

by Dean Mashimbwe

20-11-2023 16:42

in Prison Journalism

Prison Image: Unsplash

Many aspects of prison life remain unchanged from the years of official apartheid. South African prisons are places of extreme violence; assaults on prisoners by correctional guards and other inmates are common and often fatal.

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Extreme violence and gangsterism Gangsterism is a potent feature of Pollsmoor Prison life, and gangs are segregated into three separate sections on a single floor, accommodating a total of between 500 and 750. This segregation is in part an attempt to limit the gangs' ongoing recruitment of new members from amongst the recent arrivals. Wardens are present in the sections for less than two-thirds of the day, the gangs are enormously powerful in the communal cells. Gang rule involves extreme violence, including sexual violence.

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The prison's gangs, the 26s, 27s, and 28s, are collectively referred to as The Numbers . The groups are loosely affiliated with one another, each having its own hierarchy, leadership, and function within the whole. The 26s secure money via gambling and smuggling. The 27s serve as gang enforcers. The 28s are the soldiers for all three groups. Few members achieve the means to leave these gangs after leaving prison. They tattoo their ranks on their bodies or faces, so that even outside prison, their status is clear. Some members are so tied into the gang culture that life outside is unthinkable, and they would rather confess to a crime they didn't commit than be free men walking the streets.

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Limited resources for rehabilitation The majority of prisoners are from oppressed communities where there is large-scale unemployment, a lack of educational facilities and other facilities, homelessness, and gangsterism. As a predominantly awaiting-trial institution, there are few resources at Pollsmoor for prisoner programs, other than visits by independent religious caregivers and non-governmental organisations. Inmates spend nearly all day in their overcrowded cells and spend only one hour a day having outdoor exercise in enclosed courtyards. Little exercise occurs during this hour, since gang leaders utilise this time to communicate with prisoners in other cells, exchange drugs, assign punishment to those in other cells, etc. Any inmate who dares to exercise is called to attention before a gang leader and may face punishment. Drugs are commonly smuggled into cells, mainly from returning prisoners and corrupt prison wardens.

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The initial day and adaptation How you conduct yourself in the first few days is crucial. Everyone is watching you, trying to judge what kind of person you are. Don't talk s*** and don't take any s*** from anybody.

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Adjusting to living inside is difficult. You're not in control of anything, and that's difficult to get used to. Being in prison is a lot like basic training for the military, except the pride of doing something honourable is not there, and you don't have to exercise or go to classes.

For many people going to prison, the food is an improvement. The junkies and drunks, who barely support their habits, rarely eat a decent meal. For the rest of us, the food sucks; it's bland at best, and there's never enough to feel satisfied.

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But we're human and great at adapting to our circumstances and surroundings. After a short time, prison life is just life. It becomes mundane and monotonous. Living in prison is simple; it's easy. Your needs are provided, and the important decisions are made for you. People actually like being there, especially those who are homeless in winter. They won't admit it even to themselves, but they do want to be there.

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

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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