Working in a prison system which harms
Episode description
Former prison officers, Ella and Harriet, speak about the difficulty of working in a prison system that often causes harm to prisoners. They share their stories of joining the service with hopes of making a difference, only to discover a reality that was far different than what they expected. They discuss the challenges of working in a system where rehabilitative work is often prevented, and where prison officers are exposed to dangerous substances like New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). Ella and Harriet speak about the difficulty of caring for your wellbeing while working as a prison officer, and inadequate training within the prison system. They also discuss their current work through the company they created, Glass House Theatre, where they share stories about prison and the criminal justice system with their audience to bring awareness to worlds that are often repressed and unseen.
Timestamps
[09:00] The impacts of NPS drug Spice on prison officers
[14:00] The difficulty of caring for your wellbeing as a prison officer
[22:45] Difficulties of working in prison when you wish the system didn't exist
[29:17] Injustices in prison
[37:37] Trans people in prison
[40:30] Prison officer training
[48:00] Prison abolition
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*The views and opinions expressed by the guests on Evolving Prisons are not the views or opinions of the host*