The conversation on the content regarding prisoner autobiographies has resulted in a growing body of literature. In recent years narratives have gained ascendance in psychology and sociology as well, such that they now occupy a vital role in theories of social life (Presser 2009). There have been studies done on this topic from philosophers such as Michele Foucault. The literature points to the positive effect that these prisoner autobiographies can be used to grasp a better understanding of the prison system. This understanding can inform popular ideas about the prison system, based on the inside knowledge of these prisoners have about the criminal justice system. The knowledge I gain previous studies on prisoner literature will guide me
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Within autobiographies, Cohen (1977) identifies two different structures of language: a language which justifies and rationalizes within irony and detachment and a language of patterns which causes creating a ‘theory of prison’. Opposition to the power of the prison is also the central theme (Cohen 1997). Nellis (2002) examining prisoner autobiographies, notes that autobiographies have four components: (1) using writing as criminological research and therapeutic intervention (2) giving vivid accounts confinement and critical comments on criminal justice (3) explaining neglect of prisoners and the little understood process of desistance (4) expressing the suffering in their own lives and the lives of their various victims. When criminologists delve into the context of autobiographies they have found a variety of results and findings of the roles the authors of these autobiographies are emulating. These considerations suggest that four thematic narrative roles can be distinguished: “Professional”, “victim”, “tragic hero”, and a “revengeful mission” (Canter 2013). These four different narrative roles shape the way the offender views the prison system and therefore shapes the way the offender structures his autobiography. The value of this viewpoint can be observed both for understanding …show more content…
This literature helps grasp a better understanding and add to our current knowledge of prison. Morgan (2009) finds that their language substitutes ‘common sense’ and generalized representation for the individuality, diversity and detail of the offender’s voices’. Morgan draws an excerpt of Michel Foucault’s findings that explains, “Prisoner autobiographies are an apt description of the challenges constituted by prisoner accounts of the meaning of prison and imprisonment.” These autobiographies include writing of prisoners that possessed an individual theory of prison, the penal system and justice (Smith 1990). In examining prisoner autobiographies we have found that prisoners have a different viewpoint of the penal system and corrections then society itself and have knowledge of the real truth that are unknown by society. Offenders might challenge some of the certainties with which we divide the world into normal and abnormal (Morgan 2009). Smith finds that offenders’ views are a necessary part of the debate on the effectiveness on the penal system. The validity of offenders’ voices has been weakened within this treatise in the political debate on crime. Through listening, reflecting, and retelling a story, new discoveries can be made and an unconcealment, of something that would otherwise remain hidden occurs (Farrant
Within autobiographies, Cohen (1977) identifies two different structures of language: a language which justifies and rationalizes within irony and detachment and a language of patterns which causes creating a ‘theory of prison’. Opposition to the power of the prison is also the central theme (Cohen 1997). Nellis (2002) examining prisoner autobiographies, notes that autobiographies have four components: (1) using writing as criminological research and therapeutic intervention (2) giving vivid accounts confinement and critical comments on criminal justice (3) explaining neglect of prisoners and the little understood process of desistance (4) expressing the suffering in their own lives and the lives of their various victims. When criminologists delve into the context of autobiographies they have found a variety of results and findings of the roles the authors of these autobiographies are emulating. These considerations suggest that four thematic narrative roles can be distinguished: “Professional”, “victim”, “tragic hero”, and a “revengeful mission” (Canter 2013). These four different narrative roles shape the way the offender views the prison system and therefore shapes the way the offender structures his autobiography. The value of this viewpoint can be observed both for understanding …show more content…
This literature helps grasp a better understanding and add to our current knowledge of prison. Morgan (2009) finds that their language substitutes ‘common sense’ and generalized representation for the individuality, diversity and detail of the offender’s voices’. Morgan draws an excerpt of Michel Foucault’s findings that explains, “Prisoner autobiographies are an apt description of the challenges constituted by prisoner accounts of the meaning of prison and imprisonment.” These autobiographies include writing of prisoners that possessed an individual theory of prison, the penal system and justice (Smith 1990). In examining prisoner autobiographies we have found that prisoners have a different viewpoint of the penal system and corrections then society itself and have knowledge of the real truth that are unknown by society. Offenders might challenge some of the certainties with which we divide the world into normal and abnormal (Morgan 2009). Smith finds that offenders’ views are a necessary part of the debate on the effectiveness on the penal system. The validity of offenders’ voices has been weakened within this treatise in the political debate on crime. Through listening, reflecting, and retelling a story, new discoveries can be made and an unconcealment, of something that would otherwise remain hidden occurs (Farrant