This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Rigged psychological games institutions play
When a person is convicted (falsely or accurately), their next step is transitioning to a prison facility. They will remain in a jail facility before this happens. As soon as they receive their verdict from the court and return to the jail facility, they are placed on suicide watch for 24–72 hours to ensure they do not harm themselves since they have received news that they are to spend the rest of their lives or a long part of their lives in prison.
Incarceration institutions believe that a person headed to prison for a lengthy or lifelong sentence might feel they have nothing to live for anymore, so what they do is place them in a cold, dark, disgusting cell with nothing surrounding them except their own thoughts.
It sounds like they’re telling people to commit suicide by placing them in such detrimental isolation after receiving a verdict they might not like to hear.
A fellow inmate told me they could at least let the inmates speak to their families, but they don’t even give you that.
They might let you have a book (e.g., the bible), but you have no interaction with other people.
I call this a rigged psychological game, and many people don’t fair too well at it, either. Imagine being in a small, cold, dark, disgusting cell after being told you’re going to prison for the rest of your life.
You can’t call anyone. You can’t talk to anyone. You don’t hear anything except the sound of your breathing or others also on suicide watch.
You don’t have access to decent food. You don’t have any support. You’re alone. And someone is telling you that you need to be on suicide watch because you’re likely to try and kill yourself.
Institutions Putting Inmates On Suicide Watch Are…
…telling inmates their lives are over, they have nothing left to live for, and they are likely to commit suicide.
They’re planting negative seeds of self-destruction in the minds of every inmate who faces a lengthy prison sentence and are setting them up for failure.
They’re also telling inmates to think lowly of their lives, to have no self-worth, and to maintain a poor self-image.
And I have a f*cking problem with this.
If an inmate is to receive an unattractive verdict, this is the time to surround them with other inmates, spiritual counselors, mental health advocates, and attention.
If an inmate does pose a risk – which should be demonstrated, not assumed – grant them access to technology so that they can communicate with their loved ones, play games, watch movies, read, and take their minds off of their recent verdict. Grant them access to windows, natural light, positive and uplifting books, and hope.
Incarceration institutions need to stop planting negative seeds into the minds of inmates. If they spent more time focusing on investing positive energy into inmates, there would be a radical shift in inmates around the globe.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.