NCJ Number
167407
Journal
Justice Report Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (1996) Pages: 18-20
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Various media organizations are often called upon to report on events occurring in federal and provincial correctional institutions of Quebec, Canada, and many inmates in these facilities believe media accounts do not accurately reflect reality.
Abstract
Inmates are often concerned with the quality and nature of television and written reports about violence among inmates, strikes, inmate grievances, the prison setting, and custody and employment conditions. A key concern of inmates is that prison authorities exercise a great deal of control over topics to be covered and which inmates can interact with the media. Inmates also believe those who criticize the correctional system may suffer negative and indirect consequences. Further, inmates called upon to address the media are frequently those in the process of obtaining parole, a transfer, or other privileges and have been well-conditioned by the correctional system. In addition, inmates are convinced that information about them is almost always filtered and negative, and they are critical of the fact that cameras often focus on the most pleasant areas of the prison rather than on inadequate prison conditions. Examples are provided of repressive or inadequate prison conditions that are rarely exposed by media coverage.