Behind Convicts Eyes by Cerceral Prison Essay -- Behind Convicts Ey

Behind a Convicts Eyes by K.C. CerceralIntroductionThis paper is about the book Behind a Convicts Eyes by K.C. Cerceral. This book was written by a young man who enters prison on a life sentence and describes the world around him. Life in prison is a subculture of its own, this subculture has its own society, row and cast system. The book describes incidents that have happen in prison to inmates. With this paper I will attempt to explain the way of life in a prison from an inmates view. Understanding Prison LifeAfter reading the book I have gained a new understanding of what inmates think about in prison. Working in an institution, I have a certain cynical attitude at times with inmates and their bays. Working in a reception facility, this is a facility where inmates are brought in from the county jails to the state intake facility, we deal with a lot of requests and questions. At times, with the phone ringing off the hook from family members and inmates with their prison request forms, you give rise a little cynical and tired of answering the same questions over and over. As I read the book I begin to understand some of the reason for the questions. Inmate(s) now realize that the officers and administrative personnel are in control of their lives. They dictate with to get up in the morning, take showers, tire meals, go to classes, the need see people for different reason, when to exercise and when to go to bed. The lost of control over their lives is a new experience for some and they would similar to be able to adjust to this new lost of freedom. Upon understanding this and in reading the book, I am not as cynical as I have been and try to be more patient in answering questions. So in a way I have changed some of my view and understanding more of prison life.Describe Strategies and Compare with Voices from the FieldSome of the adaptation strategies expenditured by ?Anonymous? and the other inmates in prison where to use nicknames to feel more individu al and unique. Being in prison can cause you to lose your identity as a person, most inmates are cognize by numbers. Another strategy was to conform to the schedule of the prisons. You can not eat when you want, shower, get up, go to recreation and go to bed. Everyone has a schedule and working with this schedules helps to learn how to cope. Also Anonymous and other inmates would take cla... ...y. As the book showed ?dad yells and blames everyone, mom yells at the kids, the older nipperren yell at the younger children, and the youngest child kicks the cat.? (Carceral, 2004, pp. 200). The youngest child is not able to understand what is really going on and feels worthless and not loved without conditions. This child will turn to where they will get attention. This can lead to undesirable associates and into crime. As the child grows older, and has children of this/her own the syndrome is passed on. ConclusionI have to say the reading gave me a different outlook on what inmates? d o and think while in prison. They become a number not a person and do have needs that have to be address. Addressing these needs will help in running an institution smoothly and more safely. Finally Anonymous makes a powerful statement in the write of this book on some policies that should be changed in prisons. I really enjoyed reading this book and having maybe a new outlook in dealings with inmates.ReferencesCarceral, K.C., (2004), Behind a Convict?s Eyes, Wadsworth, Thomson LearningSchmid, Thomas & Jones, Richard, (2001), Voices from the Field, Wadsworth,Thomson Learning