NCJ Number
38407
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM FEATURES A FRANK DISCUSSION ON THE RIGORS AND DANGERS OF PRISON LIFE BY THREE INMATES OF THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTION FOR MEN AT CHINO, TWO OF WHOM ARE SERVING LIFE SENTENCES.
Abstract
THESE MEN ARE MEMBERS OF A GROUP CALLED PRISON PREVENTERS. THEY SPEAK TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT ARE PUT TO THEM. THEIR GOAL IS TO HELP OTHER AVOID PRISON BY AVOIDING CRIME. THIS FILM, CONCEIVED AND PRODUCED BY A FORMER MEMBER OF THE GROUP, IS THE RECORD OF ONE SUCH MEETING AND PROVIDES AN ABSORBING LOOK INTO PRISON CULTURE, ONE WHICH HAS DEVELOPED ITS OWN SOCIAL MORES AND PATTERNS OF SURVIVAL. THE RECITAL OF THE HORRORS OF PRISON LIFE IS RESTRAINED BUT WELL ARTICULATED AND FRANK, AND THE EFFECT IS ONE OF UNDENIABLE AND CHILLING AUTHENTICITY. THREE MALE CONVICTS SPEAK TO A MIXED AGE AND RACIAL GROUP, AND THEN THE AUDIENCE RESPONDS WITH QUESTIONS. THE FIRST PRISONER TO SPEAK IS RED HALLIGAN, A WHITE MAN SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE FOR MURDER COMMITTED DURING ARMED ROBBERY. A FORMER AIR FORCE OFFICER WHO WENT AWOL, HE RECOUNTS HOW HE DRIFTED INTO A CRIMINAL MILIEU AFTER GETTING INVOLVED IN SMUGGLING OVERSEAS. THE SECOND A BLACK MAN NAMED LAMONT CHAMPION, IS SENTENCED TO A 'ONE YEAR TO LIFE' FOR ROBBERY. HE STOLE AS A CHILD, AND LATER GOT BACK INTO CRIME BY MUGGING PEOPLE AND PIMPING. THE THIRD MAN, BOBBY BLANCO, IS A HEROIN ADDICT, WHO HAS SPENT ABOUT 20 OF HIS 45 YEARS BEHIND BARS. DURING CERTAIN PERIODS HE HAD TO SUPPORT A $300 A DAY HABIT, AND HE ROBBED AND DEALT IN HEROIN TO DO SO. HE, LIKE THE TWO OTHERS, SEEMS TO HAVE REALIZED THAT CRIME DOES NOT PAY. THEY HAVE ALL APPLIED FOR PAROLE. THE PICTURE THEY PRESENT OF LIFE AMONG OTHER PRISONERS IS ONE OF A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL, BOTH PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL. IF A PRISONER DOES NOT HAVE FRIENDS ALREADY IN THE PLACE TO SUPPORT HIM AS A NEW ARRIVAL, THE OTHERS IMMEDIATELY TY TO INTIMIDATE HIM. MANY ARE SUBJECT TO HOMOSEXUAL ATTACK. RED HALLIGAN SAYS, 'ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES IS DEFINITELY TO BECOME A HOMOSEXUAL; ONE IS TO BECOME DEAD.' LAMONT CHAMPION SAYS HE ALWAYS CARRIES A KNIFE ON HIM; SOMEONE ONCE TRIED TO KILL HIM WITH AN AXE. THERE ARE RACIAL PROBLEMS IN THE PRISONS, AND PRISONERS ARE MURDERED BY MISTAKE IN AN ATMOSPHERE TENSE WITH FRUSTRATION AND HOSTILITY. THERE ARE BRIBES, PAYOFFS AND DEALS, EVERYTHING FOUND IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD, BUT INTENSIFIED. THE NAME OF THE GAME IS TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE AS STRONG AND SMART AS THE OTHERS. THE THREE MEN RELATE SOME ATTEMPTS THAT WERE MADE TO KEEP THEM FROM CRIME WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG AND HOW THEY RESISTED ANY KIND OF MORALIZING. THEY SEE THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN 'PRISON PREVENTERS' AS THE BEST WAY TO TELL YOUNGSTERS AND OTHERS THE REAL STORY BEHIND A LIFE OF CRIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)