When you watch a movie and there are scenes about life in jails, you may think that those are the real things that happen in real jails. However, as you know, one of the aims of movies is to entertain the audience so that it is possible that everything in it is made dramatically and not like the real one. Several things about prisons or jails in a movie may be exaggerated or simplified to make it interesting.
It means that there are several things in movies that get wrong about jails. Do you want to know what they are? Well, before explaining about the things that get wrong about jails, first, it is important for you to note that jails and prisons are actually two different things. Jails are places for being incarcerated for a short term where usually these are used by misdemeanor offenders or those who are waiting for trial. Meanwhile, prisons are places for inmates who committed serious crimes and they are housed there for longer periods of time. Even though specifically these terms have different meanings, these terms are often used interchangeably as a place for inmates who are incarcerated.
Well, you probably cannot wait anymore to find out about the wrong things about jails or prisons in movies. So, here they are as explained according to the Looper site, Ranker site, and BuzzFeed site.
It is Uncommon for Riots to Occur
In a movie, when there are scenes about jails, it depicts that riots often happen. No wonder why in movies this depiction is shown because it is aimed to make a thrilling cinematic experience for the audience. In fact, in most prisons or jails, riots are not a common thing. Riots do not happen regularly in a prison or a jail.
Not All Inmates Are Hardened Criminals
In movies, usually there is someone who is meek who just gets into a prison and then he is surrounded by violent criminals who are ready to swarm over him. This depiction may not be really accurate. Nevertheless, it is true that there are hardened criminals in a prison, but there are also nice inmates who are incarcerated because they made a bad choice or they may be caught in a wrong time and place.
Inmates Who Commit Violence in Prisons Usually Those Who Suffer from Mental Health Issues
Movies often show violent prisoners as monsters. They are temperamental and scary. In real life, violent prisoners tend to have mental health issues. For your information, inmates have higher risk of having mental health issues than people who are not incarcerated. It is understandable because inmates are incarcerated in a place which is not as comfortable as their home with a lot of restrictions. They also do not have various activities as they can do when they are out of prisons. Being incarcerated can make them bored and it can lead to mental issues.
Prisoners Are Often Hard to Sleep
If you see in a movie that a prison is comfortable and the prisoners look fresh because they can sleep well, it may not be accurate. It is because in a real prison, it is hard for inmates to sleep well. There may be constant noise. Besides, their beds are not comfortable.
A Lot of Inmates Are Secluded
In a movie, often it is shown something like purposeful provocation, gang warfare and many other bad things. These things can really happen in a prison, but there are also inmates who choose to be secluded and focus on themselves.
When an Abuse Happens, Prison Officers Usually Know It
In a movie, an abuse happens secretly in a place and time where prison officers do not see it. In fact, abuse is usually known by prison officers because they always guard the prison and maintain the security and order in a prison.
Inmates in Movies Are Not Like Inmates in Real Life
In movies, the actor that acts as an inmate may look handsome or beautiful and clean. In real life, an inmate is not like that. Moreover, if inmates do not take a bath yet, they may look messy and probably smell bad. One of the reasons is that the hygiene products of inmates are limited.
Escaping from a Prison is not as Easy as in Movies
If you watch a scene in a movie where an inmate is escaping from a prison easily where they may just need a simple tool or make or find a tunnel, it is not like that in real life. Escaping from a prison is complicated and difficult. Inmates may even need a lot of plans and great tools. Prison guards even often check their prison cells to make sure that there are no tools or a slit for escaping.
Being Beaten in a Group Showers May Not Happen in Real Prison
Often, movies show that showers for inmates are group showers where they take a shower together and they can see each other in nude. In addition, usually there will be someone who is beaten there. Showers in prisons may not be like that. Most showers in the federal prisons have at least a basic level of privacy where there is a curtain or stall door. In a Reddit thread, a former inmate said that he had separate showers with small curtains.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
