Prison journalism: Brotherhood and Understanding

Prison journalism: Brotherhood and UnderstandingJonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison.

by Jonno Knowles

10-10-2023 12:34

in Prison Journalism

Jonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison. Image via Pexels

By the time I had eventually come to terms with the idea that I would be in prison for my misdemeanors, I had also realized that I would have to make some friends, alliances, or something of the sort. It's almost like a game of Survivor-neither too close nor too far. We are to form allegiances, not necessarily friendships, and keep a watchful eye on them all. Never let anyone get too close or drift too far away.

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Forming Unlikely Bonds How does one come to trust a person that the law has locked away? How do I learn to sleep peacefully in a room with killers and sex offenders? It takes a special person to achieve that.

I was extremely judgmental at first, but then I reached a point where I could just be myself, realizing that like attracts like. One must understand that we all have families, friends, qualifications, children, brothers, sisters, and so on. What makes me so different and special? NOTHING. Because as we have all of these characteristics and connections, we also have none of them. Just as our circumstances brought us here, we find that most of the time it was due to economic reasons, not intrinsic ones. Yes, there are inmates with hereditary ties to this place, and then there are those who have never had a family member inside a prison.

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When I eventually allowed myself to meet and greet fellow offenders, it was a surprise to me how similar we actually are. I didn't feel pity, but rather empathy. By the time I left the facility, I had made some really good friends and had come to understand that we are all in a real struggle for life here.

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The Code of Conduct in South African Correctional Facilities Fortunately, there are NO gangs in the correctional facilities of South Africa, so we all abide by the simple code of Discipline and Respect. It's very gentlemanly. This creed makes it easier to form friendships with others, and therefore, I can say that I have made some true friends from places I would never have ventured. I have a better understanding, and I hope that I, too, have been understood.

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Should you wish to assist in the rehabilitation of former inmates and help put money into the pockets of those who have struggled to earn a living during and after incarceration, click HERE

DISCLAIMER: Submission published as received

RESTORE is an NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa, providing inmates at Pollsmoor Prison with restorative justice opportunities.

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