Prison Television: Misrepresentations of Incarcerated Life

The portrayal of prison life on television often drastically differs from reality. Shows like MSNBC’s Lockup, which ran for 16 years, focused on sensationalized depictions of incarcerated individuals, showcasing extreme behavior and characters seemingly designed to evoke fear and horror. This article examines the inaccuracies of Prison Television and the harmful narratives they perpetuate.

The Reality Behind Prison Walls

While acknowledging the potential for violence and hardship within the prison system, the reality is that the majority of inmates are not the outlandish characters often portrayed on screen. The author, incarcerated for nineteen years, contests the image presented by shows like Lockup, citing the lack of resemblance to his own experiences and those of his peers. He questions the media’s choice to highlight extreme cases, like individuals tattooing their eyeballs, as representative of the broader incarcerated population, which numbers over two million in America. Instead, he emphasizes the common desire for self-improvement and a better life among fellow inmates. He describes working with individuals who strive to overcome their past and escape the oppressive environments they’ve endured.

Perpetuating Harmful Narratives and Fear-Mongering

The author criticizes the potentially harmful effects of such misrepresentations. He suggests that showcasing the most unstable individuals promotes a false narrative that all prisoners are beyond redemption, reinforcing the idea that mass incarceration is necessary for public safety. This skewed perspective allows society to detach from the consequences of imprisonment and ignore the underlying societal issues that contribute to crime. He argues that this fear-mongering tactic serves to justify the continued existence of a system that may not be serving its intended purpose.

The Need for a New Perspective on Prison and Rehabilitation

While accountability for harmful actions is essential, the author argues against the dehumanization of incarcerated individuals. He challenges the effectiveness of portraying prisoners as monsters and advocates for a shift in focus towards rehabilitation and community investment. Rather than relying on fear-based narratives, he suggests that true safety lies in addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of opportunity. Investing in impoverished communities and providing opportunities for success, he argues, would be more effective than simply incarcerating those society fears. He concludes that a safer society for all requires a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of crime and punishment, moving beyond the simplistic and often inaccurate portrayals offered by prison television.