Restrictions which reflect prison life

Ariana Luk
Mr. Roddy
IHSS
26 March 2020

Innovative Minds of Inmates

Life behind bars is restricting, not only in treatment and behavior but also in resources. Materials used in day to day life may not be allowed inside prisons limiting what the inmates may an may not use. An example would be toothbrushes "Prison officials fear that the hard handles of typical toothbrushes will be converted into weapons." This inconvenient restriction forced inmates to their creative limits and thus produced their own toothbrushes with limited supplies. Their innovative minds were not only limited to creating daily essentials but could also make things for their personal wants, convenience and entertainment. Some found objects were tattoo guns, an electric water heater and dice. these items must be hidden or they would be confiscated by the guards. 
The restriction of these items reflect the severity and difficulty of living in U.S. Prisons and the lengths prisoners will go to make what they want. How these objects were made is very unique and unexpected ways. How they made the dice was very interesting. Using hardened bread to create the cube and darkening spots with pen ink. Although Dice seem innocent they are not allowed in prison for they promote gambling. Many of these items were prohibited because they could be used or made into weapons and or items assisting in escape. With this mindset it was easy to place so many restrictions making prison life even more unbearable for the inmates. 

 https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/03/viewfinder-made-in-the-usa/605527/

Comments

  1. Alex GrossMarch 29, 2020 at 4:42 PM

    I find it very interesting that the prisoners were resourceful enough to create items that they needed in order to live a somewhat normal life in prison. I am wondering what you think about the people in charge of the prisons taking away these items that they made. Do you think they should be allowed to take away any items that are crafted by the prisoners if they have a specific use that is not anything violent? Good job and good summary!

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