NCJ Number
68992
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A YOUNG INMATE WHO WAS INTERVIEWED FOR AN EARLIER TAPE WHEN ON PAROLE EXPLAINS WHY HE CONTINUED HIS CRIMINAL CAREER AND HOW HE PERCEIVES PRISON LIFE.
Abstract
A COMMENTATOR BRIEFLY SUPPLIES GENERAL BACKGOUND OF DAVE: THE YOUTH'S REPEATED ARRESTS, THE MURDER OF A BOARDING SCHOOL COUNSELOR WHEN THE YOUTH WAS 14 YEARS OLD, THE YOUTH'S PAROLE, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT PAROLE VIOLATION BECAUSE OF HIS INABILITY TO ADJUST TO THE STRUCTURED COLLEGE ATMOSPHERE. IN THE EYES OF THE PRISONER, IMPRISONMENT HAS FORCED HIM TO GROW UP AND TO LEARN COMMON SENSE AND PATIENCE. HE HAS BECOME A COOK AND HAS TAKEN CORRESPONDENCE COURSES, BUT COMPLAINS OF LACKING ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITES AND OF PAROLE BOARD RIGIDITY. THE CONTINUED LOVE OF HIS FAMILY, EXPRESSED IN VISITS, LETTERS, AND TELEPHONE CALLS, HAS SUSTAINED HIM. REALIZING THAT PRISON ORDER IS HABIT FORMING AND THE OUTSIDE WORLD FRIGHTENING, HE REFUSES TO THINK ABOUT LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE. NEVERTHELESS, HE STILL BELIEVES IN HIS OWN POTENTIAL TO BE MORE THAN A GOOD CONVICT. WHILE HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A CAREER OF 'TALKING TO YOUNG BAD DUDES,' HE KNOWS THAT HE FACES AN EDUCATION BARRIER. AS THE STRUCTURED COLLEGE CURRICULUM DOES NOT SUIT HIS STYLE, HE WANTS TO BE PERMITTED TO STUDY INDEPENDENTLY. IN HIS RATHER PESSIMISTIC VIEW, DEATH IS GOD'S RELEASE FROM CONTINUED PUNISHMENT ON EARTH; HE STILL CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR HIS OWN FATE, I.E., WHY HE IS IN PRISON AND WHY HE CANNOT GET OUT. MOST OF ALL, THE YOUNG MAN DESIRES ANOTHER CHANCE AT PAROLE TO SEE IF HE HAS REALLY LEARNED HUMILITY. MUSICAL INTERLUDES AND POPULAR BACKGROUND MUSIC ARE USED.