WORLD WORLDWIDE GREECE news journal UPDATE - (en) Greece, ASAK: New Criminal Code and Institutionalization - The premeditated crime of the prison system (ca, de, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

 With the new criminal code, the tightening of penalties will lead to an

increase in people who, after being convicted of even simpler cases,
will be forced to serve their sentences. Greek prisons are overcrowded
with the number of prisoners exceeding their maximum capacity.
Imprisonment brings about a series of problems for the subject itself,
as a result of the imprisonment. ---- Entering prison marks the
beginning of a humiliating process for the inmates, which consists of
the loss of the means of satisfying their personal needs, the inability
to define and shape their individual space, and the separation of their
personal belongings. It has been repeatedly observed, by scholars, that
the first contact with the closed, dark environment of the prison is a
shock for the prisoner, as he is abruptly cut off from free society
while at the same time undergoing the forced process of adaptation to a
closed society unprecedented, with its own values, culture and laws.

In the first stage of imprisonment, the psychological pressure exerted
on the prisoner is particularly intense and leads him to a gradual
disorganization of his personality, a process that will be completed a
little later with his complete integration into the prison subculture.
In this initial stage of adjustment the inmate appears to be most
vulnerable to feelings of frustration, melancholy, depression and
insecurity. Related research, which has been conducted on incarceration,
has shown that during the first month of detention, convicts appear to
be particularly prone to health problems, such as an increase in blood
pressure as a result of emotional tension. Over the course of this stage
of adaptation, the most unpleasant effects of prison on the
psychosomatic health of the individual appear, since he, by adopting the
laws of the prison, is led to complete self-destruction and deregulation
of his personality. He allows himself to be carried away and trampled on
spiritually by the daily routine, while at the same time abandoning any
attempt to be himself. He shows symptoms of emotional indifference,
apathy and meekly leads to heterodetermination, that is, to what the
prison system really aims at: Institutionalization.

Institutionalization causes the mental disorganization of the prisoner,
in whom the feeling of individual inadequacy develops, resulting in him
being abandoned to the decisions of others. The main feature of the
phenomenon of institutionalization is undoubtedly absolute dependence.
Relinquishing any form of defense, the prisoner is trapped in a sense of
self-rejection, letting others make the decisions concerning him, his
needs and desires.

The institutionalization experienced by the incarcerated and the degree
of their dependence and attachment to the prison environment (especially
in the one that will be created with type c maximum security prisons),
becomes particularly evident during the final stage of imprisonment and
especially shortly before release. Contrary to what one might expect,
the incarcerated instead of feeling mental well-being with the joyous
event of their return to free life, show reactions of anxiety and
insecurity. The uncertain is set before them and they adopt a fearless
attitude towards life, having been institutionalized. Freedom scares
them, they seek guidance, restriction and heterodetermination as they
have forgotten to take initiative and handle life situations with
confidence. This particular phenomenon is observed mainly in convicts
with long sentences, who are so institutionalized that they consider
prison their home and do not wish to be released.

The action of the disciplinary regime in the direction of
institutionalization promotes, through prohibitions and deprivations,
the manipulation of the inmates. It is therefore not difficult enough to
predict the effects that undoubtedly, under such conditions, the
individual is driven to alienation from himself and shows
self-destructive tendencies, since he develops feelings of boredom and
hopelessness. Inmates' self-harm and suicide are not uncommon,
situations that demonstrate the impact of prison on the fragile mental
world of man.

The phenomenon of institutionalization is proportional to the degree of
alienation from free society and correspondingly to the degree of
adaptation to prison conditions. The more the inmate is removed from the
outside world, the more his institutionalization increases and vice
versa. It is therefore of crucial importance to maintain ties with the
persons of his family and friendly environment, as they contribute to
the provision of moral and material support, so that the prisoner can
face the hardships of prison and not alienate his future ability to
reintegrate, which he undermines the prelude prison itself.
Unfortunately, in the context of depriving prisoners of their rights and
coercion, communication with the wider social environment is severely
limited and when it does take place, it is conducted in a suffocating
environment. Of course, the geographical distribution of prisons should
not be overlooked, which does not always allow the detention of the
prisoner close to where his family lives. After all, with incarceration,
friendship circles are usually broken up, while family ties are shaken.

In conclusion, the institution of prison leads the individual to
desocialization, alienation from the free world, manipulation and
self-humiliation. Although incarceration does not always have the same
consequences for individuals, as it plays a decisive role in the degree
of institutionalization, other factors also play a role, such as the
type of criminal sanction, its duration and above all the psyche and
personality of the prisoner. The incarceration overturns his social
image until then, as it is tarnished and promotes a review of his
actions, even past ones, which after the stigmatization take on meanings
and extensions that no one could previously have given. At this point
personality traits are re-constructed and stereotypes are created that
make reintegration into society impossible. The resistance to the new
Penal Code, to the tightening of sentences, to incarceration and to the
prison "culture" concerns all of us because now there is no one - and
this must be understood - who is not a target of the penal system.

Argyris Argyriadis

Anarchist Saints Anargyro - Kamaterou

https://anarchism.espivblogs.net/2024/02/19/neos-poinikos-kodikas-kai-idrymatopoiisi-to-promeletimeno-egklima-toy-sofronistikoy-systimatos/
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