Prison as an Industrial Complex

For every inmate there is ...
a family left behind;
a potential job unfulfilled;
an impact upon our communities;
a life with little hope for a productive future.
It does not have to be this way.
Excerpt taken from: http://www.unicor.gov/information/publications/pdfs/corporate/catar2008.pdf

This weekend I took a workshop on Prison Industrial Complex. The following is a reflection I wrote following the dialog/video/guest speaks, and discussion had during the workshop.

I came to this workshop having some idea of our country’s prison system, of the disproportionately of people represented in the justice system, and of the corporatization of prison in our culture. Several years back now, I took a women’s studies class in my undergraduate course work in Arizona, and a component of the course was to visit an all women’s prison outside of Phoenix. Many of the topics discussed in our workshop were issues I had explored during my visit. I remember leaving the prison and thinking both what a rare opportunity to have a guided visit of this place was, and yet how strange and surreal the experience felt. It really did feel like the women were on display, especially the 4-5 women they pulled for us to interview. I remember thinking the same thing we discussed in the workshop, that if felt like we were visiting the zoo. The workshop furthered my understanding of comparing prison as a warehouse and as a cage for racism, sexism, homophobia, homelessness, poverty, mental health etc. The words “social junkyard” “security housing unit” “catch and release” and “waste management” were terms used during the workshop that had real affects to my understanding of the injustices prison and the justice system has on our society.

I remember we toured the highest security setting in this prison, and at the time I remember feeling scared of the experience. We went through several metal detectors, and screenings, and were asked to wear stab proof vests, as well as hold plastic shields. We walked through the halls in small groups of 2-3. I clearly remember the intimidation I felt as I walked down the hall. Women were yelling and screaming at as, holding their scar covered wrists up to the slotted windows in their doors, and sexually harassing us as we walked by. At the time, I was maybe twenty years old and probably didn’t think too much about the context of these women’s lives that would help explain their behaviors. Now, as a master’s graduate student in social work, and with more life/work/educational experience, I think I have a greater understanding for the complexity and depth that would/could make up the psychologies of the women incarcerated. Interested in women’s studies, and now focusing on clinical social work with women survivors of trauma, I think it’s important to take into perspective the historical trauma, sexualized violence, and issues of oppression women face, that represent the disproportionately and marginalization of women in the prison system. Although the workshop mentioned the increase in women being incarcerated, we didn’t discuss many the reason(s) for this increase, as well as discuss the core crimes women are being committing for. During my prison visit, I remember hearing from the women we interviewed that most of them were incarcerated for assisting their partners (men) in robbery/theft, usually for money or/and drugs. I’m wondering if this is true or still the case for women today.

I found the workshop discussion on the roots and history of our US prison system interesting and noteworthy in understating the prison as an industrial complex (PIC). Historic to slavery, white privilege, patriarchy, political values, economic growth opportunities, the war on drugs, and the prejudice that prevails in our culture, PIC’s exist because we allow it to. The criminalization and disproportionately exhibited in our workshop touched upon the social issues of race, class, unemployment, low education, gender inequality, poverty, mental illness, abuse history, and substance abuse. One area I hadn’t really thought too much about was the culture and union of the prison guards themselves. The correctional communities that are built and the effects they have on their families and community at large.

Not suspiring to learn that the United States is the leading country for use of imprisonment to deal with crime. Thus prison as an industry or industrial complex is also not surprising. We live in a consumer, for profit society. Any help to increase economic stimulus, exploit natural resources, exacerbate political agendas, increase shock value through the media, “control” cultural and social norms, and perpetuate militaristic views seems at the core of the United States values and ethics when it comes to crime and punishment. The interview with the incarcerated women lead itself to talk about the “work” opportunity’s for “good” behavior allowed while in prison, sponsored I’m sure by some corporate agenda. We also discussed the meals and nutrition provided in prison, which at the time shed light to the corporatization and privation of prison for profit. We live in a culture based on punitive punishment rather than rehabilitation. We need the immediate “fix” rather than develop preventative measures.

Of all the field trips and discussion had during my educational journey, the visit to the prison outside of Phoenix seems to be so clear and vivid in my memory. Why is that I wonder? My guess is because of the realization from an early age of the injustices and inhumanity our county values. In my last year as a graduate student, I reflect on the impacts the justice/criminal and prison system have on me as a social worker. Often working and viewing the world from an ecological and systems perspective, I see that the prison system greatly impacts everyone. I think about the last few years working in the social service field, and thinking about the many encounters I witnessed while working with people in my direct community that have been greatly affected by the prison/justice system. I wonder if this awareness is simply enough in providing the greatest empathy and understanding? Or is more action necessary?