What role do modern media play in prisons? Do prisoners have access to newspapers, television or the Internet? How is it decided which media should be allowed and which should be banned? How do prisoners communicate with the outside world?

In most cases, the inner world of the prison is well hidden from the public. The remaining images of prison tend to be either dramatic (or tragic) depictions from pop culture or news media reports, with a focus on high-profile events. Does this lack of ‘realistic’ views of prison life affect the integration of prisoners into ‘prison society’? Are there alternative images of prison and who is in a position to create these images – are prisoners themselves in control of how they are seen in society?

The project “Prisons and the media: ‘Total institutions’ in the mass media society” attempts to answer these and other questions. The project is mainly concerned with the sociological and criminological view of the role and significance of the media in prisons. It examines prisoners’ perspectives and experiences of using different media and communication technologies as well as learning the formal and informal ‘prison rules’ and their connections both to the wider prison community and, in particular, to the outside world. In addition, the specific forms of self-expression and communication that have emerged through prisoner groups and activities – such as prison newspapers and the use of e-learning platforms for higher education – will be analyzed. The aim of the project is to explore how broader societal changes in relation to technology (social media, digitalization, new forms of consumerism and how these are reflected in group dynamics and forms of self-expression and individualism) are impacting on prison structure, culture and experiences. Is there a sense of change in prisons, and how does this change – or even the expectation of change – impact and affect prisoners?

Project process:

The project comprises several interpretative social science methods: narrative interviews with prisoners, participant observation of the media-creating activities of prisoners (e.g. the planning of prison newspapers) and the analysis of the media produced by prisoners. Starting from a focus on Chemnitz Prison (and the prison newspaper HaftLeben ), the project will be extended to a broader spectrum of (institutional) perspectives. The practical aim of the project is to provide a specific and empirically based analysis of the practices and problems of communication in prison at different levels and in different constellations. A series of short reports will be produced examining different aspects of communication, information exchange and media in prison, including policy recommendations. The project will be completed in December 2023.

Project management: Dr. Aaron Bielejewski