Something that I often ponder about is the utter chaos within our country’s prison system, and the many people who are severely wronged by this daily. While the U.S. seems to have an endless number of flaws, this one really gets me wondering. I haven’t done much research on this particular topic, but I do know that innocent people, or those who may have committed smaller crimes, are much too often wronged with extensive prison time. From what I’ve heard, it seems as though our country doesn’t allot enough resources to helping those in prison who may not actually be guilty.
What I wonder about is the fact that something this threatening and life-changing could truly happen to anyone. Who’s to say that you won’t be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and end up being blamed for a crime? It’s scary to imagine that one’s life could be turned upside down so quickly, simply due to unfortunate circumstances. Being in prison is no life to live, and I’m sure many in prison would prefer death, which usually isn’t an option. I simply cannot imagine being trapped and isolated from the world, and any sense of freedom, especially knowing that you’re innocent.
This relates to the film that we watched in class, The Strike. Another aspect of the U.S prison system includes the concept of solitary confinement, which is when prisoners are locked up and kept away from social interactions, pretty much 24/7. In The Strike, the prisoners discussed working out in their cells to stay busy, having food and books delivered to their cells, and talking to each other through the vents during their ‘outside time.’ While some prisoners truly deserve the worst of the worst punishment, people are too easily placed into something as mentally tormenting as solitary confinement. I can only imagine how a person would lose themselves and their identity, hobbies, dreams, and so much more by being put through this psychological torture.
The U.S prison system is consistently in need of major reform.
Unruly Bodies 
There is so much truth in how you speak to those who are lost to the system, a system incredibly flawed and fatal. The concept that someone innocent could face unreasonable punishment is morally disastrous and a failure to a system supposedly based on order and “rehabilitation.” The Strike shows just that.
I agree that there seems to be no solution for people who are truly innocent. In all the depictions of prison that I’ve seen (both fiction and nonfiction), once you’re in you’re stuck. You’re stuck and you just have to hope everything works out.
That’s my concern when it comes to a lot of social movements. There is a huge disadvantage between the people and the judicial system. There are cases where social movement leaders have gotten arrested and eventually get released due to social outcry or from serving the time they were given. But those are just the social movement leaders we know of. What happens to those who are lesser known? Or those who fought behind the scenes?
It really is terrifying to think how any of us could be thrown in prison on false accusations or mistaken identity. A feeling of hopelessness hit me during the documentary when the prison staff listed things that could be considered proof of gang affiliation. If all it took was a history book or a drawing of an Aztec warrior to get someone labeled a gang member and put in solitary indefinitely, they could’ve found a reason to put literally anyone in solitary. Prison guards should have never had the power to do that.
I love this post and how strongly you feel about our prison system. It is something we should all feel strongly about. I wonder why we continue to use this method of solitary confinement when numerous studies have shown the detrimental impacts of it. Psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, and much more. As humans we’re meant to be webbed in communities, and while there are consequences to people’s actions some are incredibly inhumane.