Comparing prisons is always an individual process, best avoided. But my initial impression is that Erlestoke is far larger than Shepton and strictly regulated.
It is so good to have a window large enough to allow sunlight through, and there are acres of grass and trees. So different from the dark, tarmac claustrophobia of Shepton.
There are vast swathes of bang-up; along with the controlled movement this makes me wonder if the management are afraid of disorder. They forget that central to good order is treating us decently, and that increasing control measures can itself provoke disorder.
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According to its wikipedia article, there was an escape of a prisoner followed by a recapture in 2010. In contrast, no escapes from Shepton Mallet have been made since 1996. I wonder how much escapes stick in the mind of staff and management and how much they influence the amount of control they exert on prisoners.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine it having a big impact in a closed prison were some would say an escape was a failure of their primary duty.
Am so glad to hear you have a decent window, looking at the sun is something we all take for granted. The 'controlled movement' I suspect is more about manpower and the need to constantly reinforce who the 'keepers' are.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well Ben!!
You say a lot in just a few words. A window that brings in sunlight is something I take for granted. But I'm never complacent about being able to wander over grass and through trees. Glad things appear to have improved.
ReplyDelete'I wonder how much escapes stick in the mind of staff and management and how much they influence the amount of control they exert on prisoners.'
ReplyDeleteHaving sat atop a prison wall many years ago (before disappearing into the night) myself, I can vouch for just how upset the prison authorities can get following an escape. I would therefore not be surprised if Earlstoke inmates ARE still paying the price (in terms of restrictions) for the earlier breakout.
That ice is slowly melting ... here comes the sun!
ReplyDeleteThinking about you Ben, take care and best wishes xx