Calendar

I wonder if that was his release date or the day he was moved to another facility when this place closed.

Kinda hammer home the point of mind numbing captivity.

Reminds me of my count down calender when I was in Vietnam.

Time waits for no one.

Is it just me, or is this hopeful, yet terribly depressing.

I don't know what else to say about this...wow. I love it. It sure does give you a somber reminder that there were REAL people in here.

I sure hope that he used red chalk on that....This photo really does make me realize that people went to this prison. "Gone for good" seems quite optometric, perhaps this inmate served his time and knows now not to do anything wrong that might land him back on this side of the wall.

I agree Steve. I would HOPE that this person learned a lesson and never had to be locked up again.

What are the statistics of people returning to jail/prison these days (the recidivism rate) does anyone know?

I think once someone is institutionalized in a prison for a number of years, then life on "the outside" may be something that they would never get used to. I don't know what the stats are for people returning, but I'm sure they would be shocking!

That was 11 years ago, wonder where he is now?

Everything about this prison can be told by this photo. One of my faves Motts great shot and thank you for taking it before this place is torn down and stories like this are forgotten forever.

There was a 1990s US Justice Department study of 15 states that showed 67% of former inmates released from state prison had returned at least once in the following three years. I haven't seen a study about federal inmate statistics. But that number jives with a California study that showed 70% of its state inmates returning in the first three years.

I'd like to know the return rates between first timers, second timers, third timers, and so-on. Many hardened long-term criminals actually feel more secure in jail and do a crime after release to return to what they've known longer: being securely confined than being free with life's risks and trying to cope with the outside world. Sad when you think about it.

hmmmm, I take it someone was getting out?!??!?!

Thanks all. That is terribly depressing to think about.

I remember in the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" that when Brooksey got out he couldn't handle the "outside world" after being "inside" for some 50 years! Can you imagine that? How the world changes in that time? He ended up hanging himself because it was all too much for him. The other characters (still on the "inside") even talked at length about being "Institutionalized"...

I was in a psych hospital for only 6 months or so, and even then it was just a little difficult for me to readjust to the "real world" when I got out. It didn't take long though since I had been in there for such a short time. I can't imagine being locked away or locked up for 10 ro 20 or 50 years. Wow.

He never made it to the last day? That is depressing.

Coco--I would LIKE to think that he got out on that day and just never marked it off.

No?

I think the recidivism rate varies based on the crime, the time of incarceration, the area in which the person lives, lots of different factors. I've read that certain white collar crimes don't have a high rate of recidivism, but that sexually-based offenses tend to have very high rates, and then you have the violent crimes like attempted murder... those folks spend so long in prison that they may end up back inside but probably not for the same reasons they were originally in. Just something they did to get back on the inside. I would think that is a number that's highly variable and hard to pin down. It's pretty high, though... our prison system has a lot of problems, and the fact that it does little to rehabilitate offenders is one of its biggest.

Rekrats: I disagree with your last point. Rehabilitation isn't a realistic expectation of a prison system. It's prison, not counseling. People who actually DO the things that get them sent to prison are there to be punished for not behaving themselves in normal society, and causing unecessary misery for others ("behave" as in, don't rob, beat, murder, take advantage of, or assault other people. Period.). If somoene is a selfish, violent, aggressive, dishonest, deceitful person who cannot keep him/herself under control in the "outside world" (and I don't care about the "tough childhood/life"), they can sit in prison and rot, as far as I'm concerned (WITHOUT TV, gym, law libraries, etc..). If you do the kinds of things that get you sent there, you DESERVE to BE there. Don't do things that put you there. Duh. Forget about "rehabilitation". Not realistic.

Rekrats & nvusofmotts: I never went back. Once was enough for me. But I also found the value of education--that in itself kept me far enough away from the authorities. So, in some cases, rehabilitation *can* work.

Gone for good? Yeah-yeah, dats what day all say! But, you guys are correct. Watch some of the excellent prison documentaries online. The returning cretins clearly say how much better they feel when they get back in. It's a big stress relief for them. They don't want to deal with the outside world, managing money, needing an income, supporting themselves, that pesky reality thing, etc.. Life as a jailbird requires no effort so they commit a crime to get that easy ride back. It's amazing how little some people value their freedom and will give it up to be cared for like little babies. They appear to want back in after about one to three months.

some mean judgemental people out there! just remember accidents happen an everyone makes mistakes, including juries and law makers...

maybe that day was his death sentence

I agree with the wanting to be taken care of instead of making an honest living thing. I watched a documentary on prison and prison life on one of the satellite channels (can't remember which one) and some of the prisoners even admitted that they felt more "comfortable" in prison because they were provided with everything they need. It is so strange, to me at least, to NOT "need" televison or internet, but I suppose that one CAN learn to live without these things if they really had to. It just still boggles my mind that they would give up freedom to go out and get a burger and fries and a beer with friends, be with family, or even go to the movies just to be provided with meals and a place to sleep. Isn't that weird how that is more important than those other things we, as "non-inmates" feel are important? Makes you think about priorities and how people think and feel.

Interesting.

Previous comment: (Please excuse length. Just gotta respond, then I'll quit. Been on here for years). Yeah, I'm really "mean" and somehow "judgemental" because I (and so many other working, honest, tax-paying, law-abiding, own-bill-paying generous, helpful, reasonable people out there), rightfully EXPECT that the selfish cretins who "make mistakes" such as armed robbery, physical assault/rape, burglary, DUI, and murder to acutally be PUNISHED for doing so. Those aren't "mistakes", they're concious, SELFISH CHOICES that cause misery for other people because the criminal is so selfish and pathetic he/she refuses to get along in the society he/she lives in. Guess thinking that way makes us "mean-spirited" for expecting swift punishment. Well so be it in the minds of liberals. Sigh........ (insert whatever diety you believe in here) save our country from the bleeding blues.

...BTW, somehow I've managed never to have made such "mistakes" in my life. Guess I'M the odd one out....

well nvus arent you awesome. because you have managed to live a life unscathed you think you have the rights to pass judgment on situations you dont necessarily understand. you are entitled to your opinion as much as the next person but the truth of life is that NOTHING Is BLACK AND WHITE/good or evil. The point I was making was that circumstances vary and yes many crimes arent mistakes. some were put on that path due to child abuse, mental health, lack of proper education and opportunities creating socioeconomic cesspool of crime and violence. Yes let blame the animals for acting as such when left to languish instead of addressing the lack of proper care for the mentally ill and the like. Just cause they did not come from where you did you can stand on your high horse. You are part of the problem. You will fill the jails but create more of the person you claim to so detest with you ignorance toward a solution...

Eight words: "You have no idea 'where I come from' ". Two more words: "Personal responsibility". One more word: ......."Wow"... Now ,you have yourself a nice day now :-).

Huh? That's my birthday!

just for the sake of argument,
in response to your 8 words: it wouldnt make a difference i I did
"personal responsability" taken by ones self not cast by others
"wow"-thats what I thought!
Sure thing-you too ;)

lol...

Aylah: I agree that sometimes nothing is black and white or good and evil, but no one is put on a path. Everything comes down to a conscious decision. Everyone can't use childhood situations as a scapegoat all the time. Also, there's no need to call someone ignorant on here based on their opinion. How do you know where anyone on here came from so that you can say something like "Just cause they did not come from where you did you can stand on your high horse"? I didn't know names on this site came with a small biography on the person as well. Stop pointing fingers and making uneducated accusations. It's ridiculous. You both have opinions and that's great, it's what makes the world go 'round, but no need to start getting offensive.

If one of the functions of art is to stir controversy, you've certainly done that with this piece! That's what I love about the shots you get. You visit a seemingly impersonal environment and capture some VERY personal subject matter. Not sure why this fellow was imprisoned or what this "release" date signifies, but as none of us are privy to his story, or even his identity, we have no basis for judgment. Maybe he was a heartless criminal who deserved every painstaking moment he spent here and more, or maybe he was a victim of circumstance - in the wrong place at the wrong time - and imprisoned for a crime he never committed. We will likely never know the truth, but this is a window into the very grave and personal experience of another human being. Regardless of his position, I hope he's a better man for it.

Ah... thank goodness for internet, space for comments, free speech, and most of all good art. Intriguing.

Wonder if "gone for good" meant release or transfer. Man I REALLY wish I knew who wrote this and what happened to him.