Angry

Because of what they themselves have done, and what society of fate (as they may see it) has done, prisoners are usually wounded, hurting people and this is often expressed in tremendous anger. They often feel very bitter, resentful and let down by others. The anger can be directed at themselves (How could I have been so stupid?) at society outside (If it weren’t for them, I would not be here) the Correctional Service’s staff and system, and even sometimes at the visitor. Should the anger be directed at you it is suggested that you do not take it personally, you may just happen to be the one person to whom the prisoner feels that he can ‘let off steam’. Your job is to accept him anyway and to try and help him to resolve his anger. Possibly just being prepared to listen and to try and understand may be what he needs.

Frustrated

Frustration is of course an aspect of anger but there is perhaps more sheer frustration in being a prisoner than most realise and it is often very difficult to adjust to. The prisoner gets very frustrated at being so tightly controlled and at having so little freedom to do what he wants. There is a procedure that governs almost everything and so trying to obtain a new toothbrush, or pen for example can be extremely frustrating.

Lonely

The prisoner often feels a deep deep loneliness, especially if he has left someone close outside. This feeling is worse at Chinese New Year, Christmas, Birthdays etc. Overseas prisoners or those who are well educated, may be lonelier than others because they find it hard to find anyone among the prison population with whom they can discuss things that they find of interest. They will sometimes make friends with other inmates but close relationships among prisoners are not encouraged by the CSD and often they are not from the same background, are not always to be trusted and have their own problems to cope with without having the desire to listen to someone else.

You rarely touch another person – even to shake hands. One prisoner wrote in a letter “I am not sad, merely frustrated at having to endure a place without love”

The following was written by one Hong Kong Chinese, released from prison in 1988. From the inmates’ point of view, the greatest loss during the period of punishment and rehabilitation is the loss of contact and touch with their families and loved ones. The sense of losing love, care, concern, the very fact that being despised and condemned by the society will inevitably create very severe mental stress. For some of the more fortunate inmates who receive regular visits from their families or friends, this stress will be reduced to a bearable level.

There does exist a lonesome group who never receives visits. Rather than using the time and experience to evaluate and re-process. Their life is being used to kill time and to hate. Due to the lack of the integral part of rehabilitation i.e. visits, they hopelessly fall into the emptiness of hatred, of loneliness, of frustration and pain. Love, care and harmony are just too good to be true. The feeling of unfairness and hatred overwhelm their mind and block their conscience from evaluating their wrong doings. They cannot feel in their heart or sense happiness and fulfillment of life. Their only destination is to live for suffering, unfairness and misfortune. The most important ingredient of life is missing from them. They have no love for themselves or others.”

Depressed and Suicidal

There is no doubt that most prisoners get deeply depressed at some time or another. It is not infrequent that suicide will be contemplated, occasionally attempted and in a few cases is successful. In every case it is a cry for help and should be taken seriously. The feeling is “I cannot bear this any longer”. Or “there is simply no point in living any more”. They do not need someone to lecture or to advise, what they need is someone to listen and understand. Should a prisoner, that you are visiting, indicate that they are contemplating suicide we would urgently suggest that you contact a member of the committee immediately to discuss the best thing to do.

Frightened

A prisoner is often afraid of how to cope inside, what is happening to their affairs and relationships outside, how to face release and many other aspects of prison life both present and future.

Bored

An over-riding feeling is that of boredom. The days, routine, food, clothes, environment seem endlessly the same. There is next to nothing to stimulate the brain, provide entertainment or relief from monotony. There is very little colour and for those without a radio, no music. There are periods of time when there is nothing to do. A considerable amount of time is spent merely ‘being counted’