Prison Life Described (Press, 5 March 1969)

On 4 March 1969, a Senate investigation in Washington revealed alarming insights into the lives of young prisoners, particularly focusing on the brutal experiences within the American prison system. A 25-year-old African American inmate, referred to as "John Doe" to protect his identity, provided a poignant testimony about his life behind bars, describing it as fraught with violence, conflict, and despair. He recounted his journey into the criminal justice system, which began at the age of 13 when his father turned him over to authorities. The inmate expressed hopelessness about his future, stating that upon release, he planned to resort to robbery using a firearm. This testimony followed that of Philadelphia District Attorney Arlen Specter, who spoke about the prevalence of homosexual practices in prisons, labelling the criminal justice system as profoundly flawed. He argued that the current conditions in prisons produce individuals who are more dangerous to society rather than rehabilitating them. Senator Thomas Dodd, leading the sub-committee on juvenile delinquency, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the degradation and dehumanisation experienced by offenders. He remarked that the treatment of inmates often falls short compared to how society treats animals. The investigation also unveiled troubling aspects of prison life, including regular prison fights and assaults, which "Doe" described in detail. He pointed out that the only training he received in various institutions was in janitorial work, and he dismissed the notion that job training or harsher sentences would deter crime. Instead, he indicated that the perception among inmates was that if they faced long sentences, they would either escape or violently resist arrest. Specter's testimony underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that sexual assaults are widespread in the Philadelphia prison system and likely present in others nationwide. He highlighted the traumatic impact these experiences have on young men when they reintegrate into society, reflecting on the deep-seated degradation and hatred that accompanies such trauma. Overall, this Senate investigation brought to light critical issues surrounding juvenile delinquents in the United States, raising questions about the systemic failures of the prison system to rehabilitate and protect vulnerable individuals, ultimately leading to a cycle of violence and crime.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand