In people's imagination, prison is a symbol of depression and despair, but within these high walls, the daily life of life inmates is full of unknown details. Every morning at six o'clock, with the whistle of the prison guard, the tense life of the day begins. Prisoners were strictly asked to get up and wash, make their beds, and then put on the required work clothes.
But what else is in their lives besides labor reform?
Everyday life in life imprisonment
During the first two months of entering prison, the first task facing the convicts is to learn how to live in this closed and strict environment. On the first day, prison officials gather all new inmates for an orientation in a large conference room.
At this point, they are first exposed to the basic rules and regulations of the prison, which detail various aspects of daily life, including wake-up times, meal rules, working hours, and rest schedules.
Meetings are usually conducted by a veteran prison guard, who will emphasise the importance of following the rules in a serious tone, warning newcomers that any violation of the rules will be punished severely. Afterwards, other staff will demonstrate how to wear prison uniforms, make beds, and keep personal and living areas clean and tidy.
During this two-month study period, the convicts are also required to attend a legal education course organized by the prison education department. These courses are designed to equip them with legal knowledge, an understanding of the consequences of their actions, and the importance of rehabilitation. The course usually covers the basics of criminal law, the relationship between crime and punishment, and individual rights and obligations.
In the classroom, the inmates sat in fixed seats, listened to the instructor's instructions, and took note of important points from time to time. In addition to the study of ideological education and legal knowledge, physical training is also part of this period. Dedicated physical training instructors are assigned to teach inmates basic gymnastics movements to enhance their physique and maintain good health.
Every morning, all the prisoners had to get up on time, line up, and participate in the morning exercises. Morning exercises are usually done on the prison playground and include running, doing exercises, stretching, etc. Throughout the process, prison staff will strictly monitor the performance of the inmates.
Any minor irregularities, such as not getting out of bed in a timely manner, untidy laundry or negative behaviour during morning exercises, will be recorded and may affect their future evaluation and treatment in prison.
The two-month period of learning and adaptation was tough, but necessary. It provides convicts with the necessary preparation to adjust to long life in prison and ensures that they can maintain basic order and safety in this strict environment.
Re-education through labor in prison
Entering the third month, the prisoners began their re-education phase through labor. Every morning at 6 a.m., the whistle of the prison guards pierces through the silent morning light, and all prisoners must quickly get up, make their beds, change into work clothes, and do a good job of personal hygiene. Neat footsteps sounded in the corridors of the prison, and inmates lined up to make their way to the cafeteria for breakfast.
In the dining room, the plates are filled with simple but ample food: hot porridge, a few slices of bread and some side dishes. After breakfast, the inmates were guided to their respective posts by the prison staff. There are several workshops in the prison, including carpentry workshop, sewing workshop, printing workshop, etc.
The type and arrangement of work for prisoners depends on their gender, physical condition and skill level. Among the male prisoners, those who are physically fit tend to be placed in more physically demanding jobs, such as carpentry or metalworking, while those with a weaker physique may work in printing or assembly shops.
Most of the female prisoners were placed in sewing workshops and used sewing machines to make garments or other textiles. Each workshop has a supervisor who supervises the work of the inmates. Overseers are long-term prisoners selected from among the prisoners who perform well and are responsible for their day-to-day productive activities under the supervision of prison guards.
During working hours, the supervisor patrols the workshop to ensure that each prisoner is dedicated to his or her work, as well as to answer any questions he or she may have. Working hours start at 8 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. Lunch and afternoon tea are served by the inmates in their respective work areas at designated times to ensure the efficiency of the work.
Lunch usually consisted of simple rice, vegetables, and a small amount of meat, to ensure that the prisoners had enough energy to sustain the day's labor. When working overtime, prisoners may need to continue working after dinner, especially during periods of high order volume. Overtime provides inmates with the opportunity to earn extra wages, albeit in small amounts, but it is an incentive for them.
After dinner, all the inmates gather again for an evening roll call in the prison courtyard or activity room, before returning to their respective dormitories. In the dormitory, inmates are required to keep their personal and living quarters clean and tidy. The state of hygiene and order in the dormitories is part of the prison's assessment of the performance of the inmates, and good performance helps to apply for commutation.
In dormitories, beds must be made in a uniform manner and personal belongings must be placed in an orderly manner. During the night, prison guards make a final round to ensure that all inmates are in bed and that the dormitory doors are locked until the next morning. This routine is repeated day after day in prison, forming a fixed rhythm of the inmate's life.
Through labor reform, the prison hopes that the inmates can learn a skill, and also provide them with a certain skill foundation for returning to society in the future.
Prison living facilities and welfare
Although the daily life in prison may seem monotonous and repetitive, the basic needs of the inmates are taken care of. Three meals a day, although simple, can ensure a basic balance of nutrition and help maintain the health of prisoners. Meals in the cafeteria usually include porridge or noodles, several vegetables, and a small amount of meat.
Although the meals are not sumptuous, they are enough to support them to complete their labor tasks for the day. In terms of accommodation, the dormitories inside the prison are designed to be simple and functional. Each dormitory usually accommodates ten to twelve inmates, equipped with the necessary bunks and lockers. The beds in the dormitory are designed in bunk beds, and each inmate has a designated bed and storage space.
The beds were furnished with basic mattresses and sheets, and each prisoner was given a blanket to keep warm. It is the responsibility of the prisoners to keep the beds tidy and the sheets clean. In addition to providing basic living facilities, prisons also strive to ensure the physical health of inmates. The prison has an infirmary and is managed by professional medical staff.
If a prisoner is unwell, he or she can report it to the prison medical staff, and minor illnesses can be treated directly in the infirmary. If the condition is severe, the prison will arrange for transfer to an external hospital for further treatment. In addition, the prison conducts regular health check-ups for inmates, including basic medical check-ups and necessary vaccinations, to prevent the spread of the disease.
In order to promote good behaviour among prisoners, the prison has also established a reward system. Prisoners who behave well can receive additional rest periods or special meal treatments, and even have the opportunity to participate in special events organized by the prison. These activities often include watching movies, participating in sports competitions, or other recreational activities, all of which are designed to encourage inmates to follow the rules and be positive for rehabilitation.
Security and management of prisons
The prison system has always been strict, particularly in dealing with conflicts between prisoners and maintaining internal order. In order to prevent fights between prisoners, the prison management has implemented a series of strict rules and regulations and punishments. These regulations include not only strict monitoring of day-to-day behavior, but also immediate penalties for misconduct.
Whenever an inmate is in prison, they receive a comprehensive code of conduct training, making it clear that any form of violence will be punished severely. Prison guards are always vigilant during their daily rounds in order to detect and stop any behavior that could lead to conflict.
As soon as a prisoner is found to be fighting, several prison guards immediately intervene to separate the person involved and punish them accordingly according to the prison's regulations, such as solitary confinement or restriction of some rights. In addition, prisons have a system of joint sitting, and if a member of a group or working group violates the rules, the entire group can be punished.
This practice strengthens the self-supervision and mutual restraint among prisoners, and effectively reduces undesirable behavior in the collective. For example, if members of a group get into a brawl at work, all members of the group may be disqualified from a day off or special event for a certain period of time.
The prison also has a special mediation room to deal with disputes and conflicts between prisoners. The mediation room is staffed by experienced prison guards and dedicated mediators who are responsible for hearing the statements of both parties and finding ways to resolve the conflict. This approach is not only intended to resolve immediate conflicts, but also to educate prisoners on how to solve problems in a more civilized way and reduce future conflicts.
While maintaining order, the prison management also pays attention to the behavioral reform of prisoners. The prison organizes a variety of educational courses and lectures, including conflict resolution, anger management, and social skills training, aimed at helping inmates build healthier relationships and a more positive attitude towards life.
These sessions are usually led by professional psychologists or social workers who use a variety of interactive and participatory teaching methods that enable inmates to apply the skills learned in a practical way. In addition to education and punishment, the prison promotes positive communication and teamwork among inmates by providing a variety of positive group activities.
These activities include sporting events, theatrical performances and competitions designed to encourage active participation of prisoners, build team spirit and reduce isolation and negative behaviour. Through such activities, inmates not only find an outlet to release stress in prison, but also learn how to work with others without conflict.
Handling of special circumstances
Special treatment in prisons is designed to accommodate the specific needs of different prisoners. For those who are in poor physical condition or who are old and incapacitated, the prison provides a range of special care to ensure that their basic needs can be taken care of.
These prisoners are assigned to light work or are completely exempt from the task of light work if they are unable to participate in regular re-education through labour due to health problems. In the medical area of the prison, there are special wards and nursing teams to care for sick or infirm prisoners. These prisoners can receive appropriate medical attention based on a doctor's assessment.
For example, for inmates with chronic illnesses or those who need to take medication for a long time, nurses in the medical ward will regularly dispense medication and monitor their health. In addition, if an inmate is physically unable to care for himself, the prison will arrange for other inmates or specialized caregivers to help them with basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, eating, and moving.
For older inmates, the prison also provides extra care. These prisoners are often allowed to spend their sentences in a more relaxed environment, such as being placed in specific areas with less noise and more comfortable living facilities.
Their work tasks are also lightened accordingly to suit their physical abilities, ensuring that their health is not deteriorated by overexertion. The prison also takes into account the family situation of the prisoners, especially those who are seriously ill or dying, and allows their families to visit the prison.
In some cases, depending on the prisoner's health condition and performance, the prison may even allow the prisoner to receive medical treatment or spend the rest of his life outside the prison under the supervision of a family member, in which case the prisoner remains under the supervision of the relevant authorities. In order to ensure that all prisoners are treated fairly, particularly in the areas of health and welfare, prisons have special management and monitoring mechanisms.
The prison administration regularly checks the adequacy of the measures taken to care of special prisoners and the implementation of these measures. There is also a complaint mechanism in place for inmates to raise concerns about their lives or treatment through formal channels to ensure that they are dealt with promptly and fairly.
Resources:
The Theory of Autonomy in Criminal Rehabilitation[J]. Liu Chongliang, Contemporary Law, 2016(03)
On the Problems and Countermeasures in the Current Ideological Education of Prisoners[J]. Zhou Tao.Liaoning Police College,2007(03)
On the Role of Ideological Education in the Reform of Criminals[J]. Feng Yu. Party History Bocai (Theory), 2007