The tour of the facilities was very interesting and sobering at the same time. It was interesting to see first hand the consequences of crime and deviance and to understand how these people are handled in our criminal system.It seems a lot of people in the system are an example of retreatism in that they've accepted the consequences of their action from drug and alcohol abuse. It is also obvious that there is a large inequality in the races of the incarcerated. From what i saw, it seemed that 90% of the population were black men. To go even further with this observation, from what the correctional offices discussed it seems that 90% of the entire population are men. It was also explained that because of no mental health facilities for many of these people, the jail is also being used as a sort of mental hospital for many. This goes along with the sociological medicalization of deviance in which many of the incarcerated are mentally sick to the point that the correctional facility had to get medically certified to handle these people. In the end though, as we learned, race, age and gender are apparent in the criminal system as you can see first hand. This was also an excellent first hand sociological example of deterrence, rehablitation, and societal protection used on criminals in America. I didn't want to deter the learning experience, but I did see a certain level of trust that I don't know if it can continue in the future because of terrorism and retaliation in our society. It seemed to be a little to presumptuous to me to let 50 college students into the facility without at least a metal detector search, I'm glad we are all safe and got the experience, but I did think that it would only take one trained terrorists enrolled in the school system or one angered family member that was in our classes and they could have basically walked right into the center of the facility with any weapon they could conceal and cause the next incident.Camp012
I see I was not the only one that noticed we were not checked. I do understand the level of trust, now a days things need to be extra tight to where we all should have ATLEAST gone through a metal detector. Terrorism Is on a rise and I would not have been upset if they decided to do a quick check on us. food012
Touring the complex was a very enlightening experience. We were walked through the steps of the incarceration process, and how it effects those directly and even indirectly involved. Repeat offenders have a deviant behavior that keeps getting them into trouble, such as drugs or abuse. Family members of those incarcerated are also effected by those in society who view them based on the actions of the criminal. Another point that was fascinating was that the people in the complex had formed a learned behavior to watch those who were watching them, mapping the guardian's mannerisms and routes of travel. The different personality types of those in charge were most likely mapped out as well. It's sad to see how correctional facilities have doubled as a mental hospitals because of budget cuts. Where mental patients should be given adequate care and dedication, they're receiving medication to patch the symptoms, not fix the problem. It's also interesting to see how a pack mentality seems to form among groups as well. The strongest of the group seems to rule the others, controlling what little amenities the group has. Phone, T.V., and other forms of entertainment are controlled by this person or small group of people. Firedancer012
I agree with you that their behavior is fascinating from a sociological point of view. The leader of each pod is like a king in a hierarchy. And the jail staff allows this behavior because it keeps order and most likely would be hard to prevent. Watching them from behind the glass as they watched are shadows from below knowing we were there was strange to me. I felt as if I was at a zoo only instead of animals there were humans. I think we still have a long way to go from a humanitarian point of view but for now this is the best society has come up with to protect the general population.Camp012
Touring the facilities was a very interesting and informative experience. It showed me a real life experience and the fact that we actually got to sit in a pod and see what it was like to be in there, even if it was only for a short period of time was extremely enlightening. It was neat to see how well organized everything is and how everything is planned out time accordingly and without the precise times, everything would be dysfunctional. In my opinion, it is good that not all officers and employees carry guns, only the top ranks do. Tiger456
I agree that it is a good safety precaution that they don't do everything at the same time because the inmates may begin to remember and do things in-between each shift so they don't get caught. Also it is a good thing that only a few carry guns because if an inmate were to get ahold of a gun that could end badly for everyone. The Pods were a lot nicer than I expected because they have an actual TV they can watch shows and have a phone where they can call their loved ones. Just seeing it in person was a lot better than just watching it on a dramatized tv show. -Barcelona789
Visiting the jail was an eye opening experience. It was an experience that I never want to go through other than a tour or for a job. The odor right when you enter pod areas smelled like a sweaty gym and was freezing. The conditions of the jail weren't going to be in tip top shape because they don't want the people to get comfortable and have them come back. It wasn't a surprise to see the inmates segregated by their color because from class lectures we learned that the races and gangs stay together and separate from one another. I think the process in which the inmates go through to get to a pod is too long and dangerous for the workers. When they are all sitting in the holding cell thats dangerous for both the correctional officers and the people in the holding cell because it is crowded and could cause a fight to break out. The thing that stood out to me most was that in the jails they don't focus on rehabilitation and trying to help them. When he said that the GED program isn't available anymore because of budget cuts and not enough funding that kind of starts a cycle for the people in jail because they aren't getting the education and don't have resources that help them get a job when they get out so they may be back to the jail within a few weeks or months. I wasn't really surprised when he told us that population in the jail was mostly black males because of the videos in class and just statistics I have heard. I am sure that the population of people in jail will continue to rise because of the new drug laws that don't make them go to prison instead they will sit in a jail cell for almost a year. -Barcelona789
I don't know that I saw the inmates "segregated by their color". When we were in the the hall looking down on the rooms, there were men of different races. I believe you are assuming that because there were more African Americans than there were white men. The gentleman did tell us that they try to keep from having too much of one gang together or putting rival gang members together. This was an attempt to minimize violence by the jail walls. When the group of inmates passed us in the hallway coming from their kitchen duties, I took notice of the races of men. In that small group, they were predominately African American but there was a Caucasian male walking right along side of them. While race is surely always an issue that could trigger violence, I don't think they can be so proactive that they are pushing the lines of the Civil Rights Movement. That would have so many people screaming law suit. I could be making an assumption, but my guess (strictly a guess) is that because Peoria has such a heavy African American presence and close to one half of the city is low income to very low income, you are going to see a higher African American rate. As our sociology class has discussed, people coming from low income homes, higher crime rate areas, dont received the best education as someone who lives outside those peramiters. There is a very high chance that they will follow what is norm to them....violence, education less than that of high school, and poor choices. This plays directly into the problem Peoria has with its gang presence. More gang members=more crime=more prisoners. And while not all gang members are African American, a majority are. MomtoM.L.M.012
It was a nice change of pace for the semester to go on the tour of the PCJ, and a real eye opening experience to boot. I have never been inside such a facility before so everything we saw and heard was a new learning experience for myself. I have always imagined what a jail was like and to be honest the real thing was nothing at all like I thought it would be. I imagined single cells lining the walls closed off with metal bars. The whole atmosphere of the PCJ was interesting too. It was border line creepy even. You couldn't help but feel trapped as we wondered in and out of locked metal doors. I thought the information given during the tour was excellent as well. Probably my favorite story we heard was the ones about the escapes from the PCJ. It was a story right out of a movie. Its hard to actually picture the inmates carrying out such a daring deed and for it to actually work! Another interesting part of the tour was learning about the PCJ's want to keep population low. I totally agree with the line of though in doing so. It was nice to hear that the people running the jail realize that no everyone who is sent to jail is a bad person, they simple made bad choices. Then again they also realize that there are crazy people out there who really do need to be locked away. All in all, I am grateful to have had such an experience during the tour. farmgirl 012
It was definitely a nice change of pace with great people. I also enjoyed the story about the inmates escaping . Surprising to believe those types of people were down the road. I also would agree on enjoying hearing how they understand that not everyone that goes to jail is a bad person jus tone that made bad choices. But also agree there are some that should be forgotten about . compassof4012
Alot of information the tour guide did give us, I was shocked to hear about the death of one of the new comers as he got processed nd that the one room he died in we stood in front of. I was also surprised to hear that our young people are being taken away by prescription herion or drugs. It's a shame to hear that nd that our medical system hasn't really tooken a stance. About the escapes lol it really happened in real life vs seeing it on television nd the fact that the old jail was built in 1985 Lord that was way before I was even thought of of course I bet alot has changed since then. But as the tour guide did emply that there is more good then bad nd the good may out way the bad on any circumstance.LifeImagine789
I agree, the small space you have to live in is very small and makes you think what that must feel like knowing that is your temporary home. The Shaw Shank Redemption story was really interesting. Makes you think how aware really are you. Couldn't imagine what that must have been like for that guard considering he was checking on them like he thought he was. I thought that was good how they presented the inmates not all following the social stigma. The people we saw are not all bad people but have made some bad decisions that got them there, but there are some people here who would rather slit your throat than shake your hand. Very knowledgeable staff and informative with todays world. Palmdaddy456
I enjoyed the tour and believed it to be very much an eye opener. We sometimes forget what is out there just right around the corner in our own town. The people and their crimes. Its sad and heartbreaking to know such people exist , choose , or was raised with these values and morals. Thought the tour was full of information and insight. Definitely a plus to be outside the classroom and seeing some of the factors we have learned played out. The PCJ seems to run smoothly and with well trained and caring people. Loved how he believes in treating people with respect and human even in their situation. Think this would be a great tour to give some younger kids (teens) that have made early bad choices or on the road too. Give them an eye opener of where you can end up and its not cool like the movies but very depressing, grey, and everyday you live yesterday over again. Think if you are wanting to go in law enforcement great place to start and seems like wonderful people to work for and with. It would also give you a close up look and experience with people. I have a lot of respect for people who choose this job and deal with people in this type of situation and hearing their stories. compassof4012
I thought the tour of PCJ was a good experience. I had never been inside a place like this so it was a somewhat inconceivable to me how inmates live. Most of them are probably so used to returning that they are used to the environment. I'm sure alot of them are there because of conflict subcultures. They are gang members and people who only know one way of living life. Being gang members makes them feel powerful on the street. I'm sure most of them did not have role models to show them any different. In any case, the jail environment was very depressing to me. I was surprised to see how a place like operates on a daily basis. It can't be an easy job to keep all those inmates under control. The man in charge did a very good job of giving us information. He had alot of interesting things to say. I can believe that most of these inmates are repeat offenders. I will have to say that I was surprised that almost all of the inmates I saw were black men. Gender and race inequality was obvious within the jail. Men do generally commit most crimes according to the jail population. I think women, being raised different than men, are generally more apt to not commit as many crimes as men. Society seems to punish men and women different in certain types of crime. I was unaware that the jail had a section for the medicalization of deviance. I could see where it was much needed. Some of the inmates inside the pods looked somewhat mentally disturbed. Some of them looked right at home. It was as if they were used to that environment. I just can't imagine people giving up to the point of it being their norm to be institutionalized. Police work and working in a jail has to be more of a counseling job than anything. You must analyze inmates moves before they even make them. You have to know how to talk to people and treat people to keep the situation somewhat under control. I admire people who choose to go into this field, with the intentions of maybe helping people change their ways to live a more normal life. Inmates are troubled people. They really do need help. Hopefully, some of them will accept it and change. I myself, could not work inside a jail. It was great how they offered programs to keep the inmates occupied. One of the most important things that I think needs to be done, is finding some type of funding to make sure that while the inmates are there, they get a GED and learn as much as they can while incarcerated. That will give them a small start for when they go back into society. This was definitely an interesting tour. It is one that I will not soon forget. Thank you for the experience.nana012
You hit it on the head, how some looked right at home and some were disturbed. It makes me think of the movie "Shawshank Redemption" when they used the term "institutionalized". Some of the repeat offenders probably do it somewhat unintentionally because they don't know anything else than being in jail. It's sad to think that, but after so many visits, it's just second nature to them. It is hard to think that those inmates are in that place right now while I sit in my living room, able to do whatever I want. If I want to leave and go to my friend's house, I can. They cannot. They have to do what they are told to do, when they are told to do it. Maybe that is part of their makeup. They cannot make their own good decisions so they need someone else to tell them the right things to do. Kane012
I think the people who make themselves at home in PCJ only do so because they feel like society has given up on them, and that they have no other choice. The idea of a total institution is terrifying in the context of prison, but isn't really that far off what we deal with everyday. The military can be considered a total institution, and we freely accept what they do and stand for because were told by authority figures they're alright. Firedancer012
Touring the complex was such a pleasure I can say I am more dedicated to be a probation officer. I can say that I will be back at the jail not as a cell inmate but as someone standing guard protecting. I've learned a lot and as also seen alot I wish we could've seen more nd actually wished we could have spoken with few of the inmates. Doc White has done an amazing job teaching us of what's in the text only to actually be a witness of it. I've always had my heart sat out to protect the young and save the generation to come seeing the jail hasn't done anything but put more trust and courage into myself to fulfil my goals. Alot of things has sat me back meaning sickness but as one says you will do what your heart tells you and those words has still stuck to me. Til this day I think of the jail visit as if I just got out of it, it has made such an impact that will only move me foward. I was so happy but scared at the same time not really knowing why I was scared but i am now true of my purpose to why I'm going to college. It was the best time of day nd if I can do it again I most definitely would. I've spoken to the tour guide on my own time about my role I want to play in the law enforcement nd it is to me to stay motivated, finiah, college go take the test and I'll be on my way hearing those words I couldn't do anything but smile. Among the jail tour I've learned alot aboUT inmates and how they cope, either it being a GED program, a little job in the jail or some life program to help them cope with themselves the victims family and life in jail period. Reading the text I can tel it was hard, and eye for eye I saw it was hard. It up to the people themselves or the officers to promote a better system and surrounding of our ppl and that's where I wanna come in at. LifeImagine789
The PCJ tour was different from what I had expected. I have done another tour before and that was in a different county. I thought it was interesting how the super intendant said the main thing he harps on his officers is respect for the inmates. I think it's interesting the social stigma that gets placed on the inmates and as a result can show in police work. That was something that really stood out to me. When we went through the two-way mirror, I had observed that the inmates seemed to be somewhat at peace as if it's their home away from home. I don't generally like to use the word assume, but it appeared that some of the people being housed have been to PCJ many times. Relating back to the classroom, rehabilitation was emphasized a good amount of time from GED and other programs, certifications and even through religion. Jails are different from prisons because jails can house you up to 364 days opposed to a prison which can hold a person longer than 1 year. Mental health was another interesting aspect of the facility. The guide said that almost everyone takes medicines of some kind as well as seek mental heath from the nurse's station. The facility doubles as a mental health hospital and a jail. The facility has declined on inmates having a head count of 300+ opposed to the 600's that the facility used to be at. The cost to house someone in this facility was about $87 which I found shocking since there is so much going on. All in all, this was very eye opening and I have considered this as a potential job opportunity once I finish my schooling to get my foot in the door. Look forward to going back on the tour during the spring.
I was able to tour the Juvenile side of the PCJ, as well as the main PCJ. They were both eye-opening visits. It truly makes me sad to see the children that are housed there. I wish we, as a society, could figure out what causes these children to make these poor decisions and FIX that. I know I am trying to simplify it, but our world would be a better place in the end. I realize that some of them are a product of their environment and they "do what they have to do" to survive. I also realize that they very well may have parents that are not around and these kids have too much freedom, especially at a young age. This is such an unfortunate epidemic in the world. Our children get left behind so many times and they get lost in the cracks. Then what happens is they continue to make the same poor decisions and they then "move next door" to the jail. What I noticed next was the lack of freedom they have. This can be argued both ways. The fact that they are criminals and do not deserve ANY freedoms, but how do they really have a chance to rehabilitate. It's definitely a fine line. If they are given too many freedoms, some may take advantage of the situation. I'm sure there are the ones that take full advantage of their opportunity and truly try to make themselves a better person and make a contribution to society. I like that the facility management truly wants to help these people get better. It gives me hope that if these inmates can see there are people that care about their wellbeing, it may have a great impact on their lives. The management team has a tough job to do, but their professionalism and compassion shone through. Kane012
I also attended the juvenile tour and going to both institutions. You really get to see how both function and how some juveniles will become habitual offenders and transfer to the adult jail. Observations made on these tours really do help in tie what we've learned to reality. -Pack789
The visit always makes me aware that I am following the career path that I want to be doing. That was the third time that I have toured PCJ, and I either learn more or learn about the new changes that are happening. It is very obvious that most of the population was black and that it was split with 90 percent males and 10 percent female. It was said only about 40 people were in for homicide and most everyone else is probably drug and alcohol related with a few in between. I was a little upset that we didn’t get to see the female pods like we did the males. We have talked about females most of the semester and then we didn’t get to see how they interact with each other on a daily basis. The accreditation of PCJ is also another big thing. It allows for extra amenities like medical and extra staff to help with the inmates that have mental health issues and therapy. With only two escapes, I would say that the correctional officers are checking and taking care of the inmates and that the building is not perfect, but up to date enough. I enjoyed the visit. It was very interesting and most of the people in PCJ just made the wrong choices at the wrong time. CSI 789
I thought the PCJ visit was a very valuable experience. I have gone on the tour before and i felt that I learned just as much going the second time. I also noticed how the things we learned in class really tied in to the information during the tour. Like how accreditation helps facilitate better institutions and provides incentives for smooth operations. Additionally, being in the facility really puts it into perspective on how jails and prisons truly operate. Another thing I valued about this trip was when the Superintendent mentioned that the correctional system is a great career to gain experience for future career goals. I never thought of working in the correctional system before this but now I might be looking into correctional jobs in the near future. -Pack789
This tour was truly a once and a life time experience. I was very happy I was able to tour the jail, and learn things that I had no idea about. Crazy to think that some people have to live in a confined space for days upon end. I know a couple good people that have made some bad life decisions, and actually spent time in the PCJ. It was very eye opening to hear the stories that were told, and I had no idea that two men shawshanked their way out of the PCJ. It was a really cool experience to hear how they did it, and how they out smarted the system for a period of time. Also learning about how the correction officers take several different routes to the court house was very interesting, and super smart of them to take such precautions. Touring the women's cell block was very eye opening and interesting. The cells are very tiny, and seeing how they live and the space they have to live in really makes me want to stay out of trouble. Also being able to watch some of the men walk around the cell block, and see how they live really makes me want keep a good head on my shoulders. That visit made me come to realize nothing is worth a trip to the PCJ. No DUI, no attempted theft, not even a fight is worth the long haul to the jail. The tour was a great experience and hopefully the opportunity to take another tour will arise later in life because that was a wonderful learning experience and I'm grateful to have gotten the chance. (Mac-012)
I agree that living in cramped quarters is crazy, I certainly couldn't do it. I think it's very smart of PCJ to change routes in order to keep up security, who knows who could be following them. Physically seeing the cramped quarters and how people are forced to live in incarceration definitely makes me want to stay out of trouble too, why would anyone want to give up their freedom to live like that? Firedancer012
I agree. I couldn't live like that. I know some schools went to visit the jail in 8th grade. My school didn't go so this was my first visit at 26yo. And I must say, it definitely makes me want to stay out of trouble. I couldn't imagine living like that and being told what to do and when to do it. But honestly, I think some criminals crave that attention. They want to be told what to do and when to do it. It gives them structure in their lives which was probably chaotic in the free world which drove them to a life of crime. KingOli1016012
First, I would like to say the jail was way bigger than what I imagined it to be. There were so many twist and turns that It sort of made me paranoid, but I knew we would not purposely be put in danger. Overall I thought the trip to the CJ was very informing our "tour guide" did a good job of explaining statistics and the way the jail works. I really did not have any questions because he did so well with explaining the process. I liked how he made it clear that they treat the inmates with respect and like people stating that most of them are not bad people, but have made bad decisions. I did want to mention, though we were not seen, after watching the inmates through the two sided glass I felt we were treating them like animals in a zoo. It was interesting and I was curious to see them in their pods, but after a min or so I felt like we were degrading them. The most interesting part was to hear they treat the federal inmates like trustees all because of the money they receive. That just shows how this world still works when It comes to status and money. I don't know what most of the federal inmates were going for but the whole concept that they were given a tad bit more freedom because the income they receive for housing had me thinking a little about how our society is. food012
The jail tour was excellent and I really learned a lot and just how scary going to jail can be. I noticed the holding cells for guys waiting to be released on bail or had not been processed yet and was amazed to hear the superintendent explain all the ways they hide drugs upon coming inside. It's stupid to think that people would result to concealing the drugs and possibly harming themselves in the process than just hand it over and accept the consequences. The walkway overlooking the pods drove home the fact that the CO's really are trying to watch their every move. I noticed how some inmates were huddled on end of the pod reading a paper while there was another pacing up and down probably as a lookout watching our shadows in the windows. Experiencing that in person made me feel more appreciative of the work the CO's put in to do their jobs right. The pod we walked into and were allowed to see what the inside of a cell was like made me feel extremely claustrophobic. Those cells were incredibly tiny, could smell the gases coming from the waste system and just felt cold. It's certainly made me feel more appreciative of the life I have and hope that I see the inside of a cell again unless it's a tour. It was great to listen to the superintendent explain how he wants to help these inmates become better people with the work programs and trustee programs they have in place. He really seems to understand that just talking to someone as human being and not treating them like dogs is one of the best deterrents of crime. I had a great time and am proud to know that this jail has the accreditation and proper respect for their inmates and certainly would love to come back on tour again. Flitzy789
I thought our visit to PCJ was very informative and educational. Seeing how confined and separated it was, really helps you put into perspective what its like to be there day in and day out. You can definitely see that the number one priority above all is the safety of the CO's and other staff members; there many safety procedures to be followed as well as a hierarchy of command in order to control everyone. I personally liked being able to put myself in the CO's shoes by going up in the hallway overseeing the pod of men. It helped me understand their position a little bit more as well as how they perform their periodic checks throughout their shifts. Being inside the cells was definitely an eye opener. They were very cramped and had a kind of putrid and stale smell. I was shocked to find out that the inmates have to eat lunch in the pods. Hollywood and the Media would have you believe that they all come to a cafeteria and stand in a line to get their food, then sit down and eat at tables together. However, its quite the contrary in real life. The inmates actually eat in their separate pods and are called one by one (via their name) to get their food, and the same thing is done to return their trays. All in all, I more than enjoyed myself during the tour and am ecstatic to have another chance to go. I feel as though there is so much more to learn and I'm eager to get that information.
I was anxious and perhaps a little nervous for Wednesday night's visit. This was something that was outside of my comfort zone and unlike anything I've ever been exposed to. The media and movies paint a picture that prisons and jails are full of violence. Upon arrival, the first thing I was surprised with was the conditions of the building. I knew that this was a bit newer but still had this vision in my head that the inside would be dark, dingy, and dirty. And don't even get me started on how I thought the smell would be. But it was a pleasant, nerve-calming surprise. Once the tour started all the previous fears started to come back. What was going to be behind each door? Would the inmates give us a hard time? Would I unknowingly come into contact with some mysterious bodily fluids and contact some sort of nasty disease? Oh I was mentally preparing my checklist....burn clothes, bleach my body, and dispose of anything I came into contact with until I was sanitized...including my car. But again, I was pleasantly surprised. The building wasn't what those movies had prepared me for. We did see inmates but none of them really said anything, they just watched out of curiosity. And who wouldn't? You stay in the same room for days on end only seeing the same people everyday....you're gonna stare too. What also distracted me from my subconsious irrational fears was the gentleman giving the tour. He delivered facts that and kept it entertaining. He used humor to lighten the situation while still driving home important facts and giving us important instructions for our visit. That day I learned the difference between a prison and a jail, which I had not know before. I got a better insight as to the types of crimes in the local area that land those people there. As we walked, I listened and I watched, taking it all in. My nerves faded. I realized that while tv touches upon some of the things that do happen in prisons/jails, they capitalize on the negative. Those awful things dont happen as often as we are lead to believe and while acts of violence are know, they are rare and we probably weren't going to be caught in a shootout or held captive by one of Peoria's premier sociopaths. One of the things, I wished we would have spent more time talking about and touring was the women population. We knew why a lot of the men were there, what their days were like, and a various other facts and figures behind the male population. But what about the women? Surely the "patterns" of their crimes were different from those of the men. Is the turn around for the women higher than that of the men? Meaning, are their crimes less severe and are they as subseptable to continue their life of crime once released, ensuring they would be going back to jail? What was the percentage of women to men? While the Q & A was short, at the end I enjoyed it. The few questions that were asked were ones that I had thought or wanted to know that answer to. So while Wednesday's trip wasn't like a clip from "The Green Mile" or an episode of "Orange Is The New Black", I enjoyed the time spent there. It went by quick and I would recommend it to anyone. It doesn't matter what your area of study is or what you want to be when you grow up, it's informative and it will be something you remember. MomtoM.L.M.012
I first off want to say I definitely enjoyed the tour, it was very insightful and opened my mind to the reality of what it is really like spending time behind bars. It was not what I expected it to be by any means. When my husband and I first got together he had to spend two weeks there for tickets that he hadn't paid for years and he said that is was a pretty crappy place to be, tight living spaces and just no where to be. I did the video chat with him and saw the pods a little bit but defiantly didn't get the big picture until I saw it first hand. First of all its a lot cleaner and in order than I thought it would be. It was nice to see the booking process and see how all of that works because I have only been in the bonding area, never behind the doors. Thank goodness of course. I didn't really know what to expect as far as inmates went, from movies you see you would think everyone would be acting like hooligans and being crazy but it wasn't like that at all; though I'm sure at times it very well could be. People were just pacing, playing cards, writing letters, watching t.v and hanging out. A very boring life indeed. I was a bit surprised by the small space that the pods and cells were, and I couldn't imagine using the bathroom in front of a crowd of people, but I guess certain rights get taken away when you can't obey the law. It was nice to learn how their day went, wake up, clean up, get breakfast ect. It shows that they do want people to feel like humans there and they give them incentives instead of making them feel worse than they probably already do for being there. It was also interesting to learn about the man that broke out, I guess I don't stay up on the news because I knew nothing of that until he mentioned it. It's crazy what people are capable of when they sit and watch for so long. Very awesome to hear that they captured them in 18 hours I believe he said. That goes to show they take their job very serious. Over all this changed my perspective of how horrible jail is, like seen on the tv show jail and other movies and series. Obviously its not anywhere you would want to be period, but its not as bad as I perceived it before. They seem to give everyone equal opportunities until they mess up and don't deserve it, they seem to give the inmates the respect they deserve as long as they are receiving respect. I enjoyed this visit and the gentleman that did the tour was very insightful and seemed very happy to do it. I would suggest this tour to anybody, not eve if you want to do criminal justice but just to learn the reality of the situation. Make your own conclusion about the place instead of assuming. It is something I will not forget. Newmommybe012
I must say the PCJ tour was very insightful to say the least. The tour guide did an amazing job at explaining everything, making it interesting, using humor and involving us in the tour. He almost made me want to switch my major to Criminal Justice. lol Seriously though. I learned a lot that I didn't know before. Most of my family has worked in various prisons across the state and I've heard several stories. I know prison is different from jail, but actually being in the facility gave me some insight first hand on what I was told. Like the guy said, these aren't necessarily bad people, they've just made bad decisions. This is why they are given opportunities and treated as humans instead of animals. What we see on tv is maybe what happens every once in awhile in a jail. It may get hectic, but most of the time if you treat them with respect, they will respect you. I myself could not live in a small pod, or sleep in a small cell like that. I think this tour was helpful for me in a sense when it comes to crime. I will never commit a crime, because I do not want to do the time. I appreciate the fact that the inmates are given a chance to come out of their cells. Locking someone up and "throwing away the key" so to speak, regardless of their crime could cause more hurt than not. If I was criminal justice major, I would actually see if I could talk with this guy a little more because he definitely knows his stuff and is easy to talk to. KingOli1016012
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ReplyDeleteThe tour of the facilities was very interesting and sobering at the same time. It was interesting to see first hand the consequences of crime and deviance and to understand how these people are handled in our criminal system.It seems a lot of people in the system are an example of retreatism in that they've accepted the consequences of their action from drug and alcohol abuse. It is also obvious that there is a large inequality in the races of the incarcerated. From what i saw, it seemed that 90% of the population were black men. To go even further with this observation, from what the correctional offices discussed it seems that 90% of the entire population are men. It was also explained that because of no mental health facilities for many of these people, the jail is also being used as a sort of mental hospital for many. This goes along with the sociological medicalization of deviance in which many of the incarcerated are mentally sick to the point that the correctional facility had to get medically certified to handle these people. In the end though, as we learned, race, age and gender are apparent in the criminal system as you can see first hand. This was also an excellent first hand sociological example of deterrence, rehablitation, and societal protection used on criminals in America. I didn't want to deter the learning experience, but I did see a certain level of trust that I don't know if it can continue in the future because of terrorism and retaliation in our society. It seemed to be a little to presumptuous to me to let 50 college students into the facility without at least a metal detector search, I'm glad we are all safe and got the experience, but I did think that it would only take one trained terrorists enrolled in the school system or one angered family member that was in our classes and they could have basically walked right into the center of the facility with any weapon they could conceal and cause the next incident.Camp012
ReplyDeleteI see I was not the only one that noticed we were not checked. I do understand the level of trust, now a days things need to be extra tight to where we all should have ATLEAST gone through a metal detector. Terrorism Is on a rise and I would not have been upset if they decided to do a quick check on us. food012
DeleteNow we are cooking with gas.....Reasoned and informed points. Simply Me 711
ReplyDeleteTouring the complex was a very enlightening experience. We were walked through the steps of the incarceration process, and how it effects those directly and even indirectly involved. Repeat offenders have a deviant behavior that keeps getting them into trouble, such as drugs or abuse. Family members of those incarcerated are also effected by those in society who view them based on the actions of the criminal. Another point that was fascinating was that the people in the complex had formed a learned behavior to watch those who were watching them, mapping the guardian's mannerisms and routes of travel. The different personality types of those in charge were most likely mapped out as well. It's sad to see how correctional facilities have doubled as a mental hospitals because of budget cuts. Where mental patients should be given adequate care and dedication, they're receiving medication to patch the symptoms, not fix the problem. It's also interesting to see how a pack mentality seems to form among groups as well. The strongest of the group seems to rule the others, controlling what little amenities the group has. Phone, T.V., and other forms of entertainment are controlled by this person or small group of people. Firedancer012
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that their behavior is fascinating from a sociological point of view. The leader of each pod is like a king in a hierarchy. And the jail staff allows this behavior because it keeps order and most likely would be hard to prevent. Watching them from behind the glass as they watched are shadows from below knowing we were there was strange to me. I felt as if I was at a zoo only instead of animals there were humans. I think we still have a long way to go from a humanitarian point of view but for now this is the best society has come up with to protect the general population.Camp012
DeleteI totally agree - extended labeling of the family circle....SimplyMe711
ReplyDeleteTouring the facilities was a very interesting and informative experience. It showed me a real life experience and the fact that we actually got to sit in a pod and see what it was like to be in there, even if it was only for a short period of time was extremely enlightening. It was neat to see how well organized everything is and how everything is planned out time accordingly and without the precise times, everything would be dysfunctional. In my opinion, it is good that not all officers and employees carry guns, only the top ranks do. Tiger456
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is a good safety precaution that they don't do everything at the same time because the inmates may begin to remember and do things in-between each shift so they don't get caught. Also it is a good thing that only a few carry guns because if an inmate were to get ahold of a gun that could end badly for everyone. The Pods were a lot nicer than I expected because they have an actual TV they can watch shows and have a phone where they can call their loved ones. Just seeing it in person was a lot better than just watching it on a dramatized tv show.
Delete-Barcelona789
Visiting the jail was an eye opening experience. It was an experience that I never want to go through other than a tour or for a job. The odor right when you enter pod areas smelled like a sweaty gym and was freezing. The conditions of the jail weren't going to be in tip top shape because they don't want the people to get comfortable and have them come back. It wasn't a surprise to see the inmates segregated by their color because from class lectures we learned that the races and gangs stay together and separate from one another. I think the process in which the inmates go through to get to a pod is too long and dangerous for the workers. When they are all sitting in the holding cell thats dangerous for both the correctional officers and the people in the holding cell because it is crowded and could cause a fight to break out. The thing that stood out to me most was that in the jails they don't focus on rehabilitation and trying to help them. When he said that the GED program isn't available anymore because of budget cuts and not enough funding that kind of starts a cycle for the people in jail because they aren't getting the education and don't have resources that help them get a job when they get out so they may be back to the jail within a few weeks or months. I wasn't really surprised when he told us that population in the jail was mostly black males because of the videos in class and just statistics I have heard. I am sure that the population of people in jail will continue to rise because of the new drug laws that don't make them go to prison instead they will sit in a jail cell for almost a year.
ReplyDelete-Barcelona789
I don't know that I saw the inmates "segregated by their color". When we were in the the hall looking down on the rooms, there were men of different races. I believe you are assuming that because there were more African Americans than there were white men. The gentleman did tell us that they try to keep from having too much of one gang together or putting rival gang members together. This was an attempt to minimize violence by the jail walls. When the group of inmates passed us in the hallway coming from their kitchen duties, I took notice of the races of men. In that small group, they were predominately African American but there was a Caucasian male walking right along side of them. While race is surely always an issue that could trigger violence, I don't think they can be so proactive that they are pushing the lines of the Civil Rights Movement. That would have so many people screaming law suit. I could be making an assumption, but my guess (strictly a guess) is that because Peoria has such a heavy African American presence and close to one half of the city is low income to very low income, you are going to see a higher African American rate. As our sociology class has discussed, people coming from low income homes, higher crime rate areas, dont received the best education as someone who lives outside those peramiters. There is a very high chance that they will follow what is norm to them....violence, education less than that of high school, and poor choices. This plays directly into the problem Peoria has with its gang presence. More gang members=more crime=more prisoners. And while not all gang members are African American, a majority are. MomtoM.L.M.012
DeleteIt was a nice change of pace for the semester to go on the tour of the PCJ, and a real eye opening experience to boot. I have never been inside such a facility before so everything we saw and heard was a new learning experience for myself. I have always imagined what a jail was like and to be honest the real thing was nothing at all like I thought it would be. I imagined single cells lining the walls closed off with metal bars. The whole atmosphere of the PCJ was interesting too. It was border line creepy even. You couldn't help but feel trapped as we wondered in and out of locked metal doors. I thought the information given during the tour was excellent as well. Probably my favorite story we heard was the ones about the escapes from the PCJ. It was a story right out of a movie. Its hard to actually picture the inmates carrying out such a daring deed and for it to actually work! Another interesting part of the tour was learning about the PCJ's want to keep population low. I totally agree with the line of though in doing so. It was nice to hear that the people running the jail realize that no everyone who is sent to jail is a bad person, they simple made bad choices. Then again they also realize that there are crazy people out there who really do need to be locked away. All in all, I am grateful to have had such an experience during the tour. farmgirl 012
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a nice change of pace with great people. I also enjoyed the story about the inmates escaping . Surprising to believe those types of people were down the road. I also would agree on enjoying hearing how they understand that not everyone that goes to jail is a bad person jus tone that made bad choices. But also agree there are some that should be forgotten about . compassof4012
DeleteAlot of information the tour guide did give us, I was shocked to hear about the death of one of the new comers as he got processed nd that the one room he died in we stood in front of. I was also surprised to hear that our young people are being taken away by prescription herion or drugs. It's a shame to hear that nd that our medical system hasn't really tooken a stance. About the escapes lol it really happened in real life vs seeing it on television nd the fact that the old jail was built in 1985 Lord that was way before I was even thought of of course I bet alot has changed since then. But as the tour guide did emply that there is more good then bad nd the good may out way the bad on any circumstance.LifeImagine789
DeleteI agree, the small space you have to live in is very small and makes you think what that must feel like knowing that is your temporary home. The Shaw Shank Redemption story was really interesting. Makes you think how aware really are you. Couldn't imagine what that must have been like for that guard considering he was checking on them like he thought he was.
DeleteI thought that was good how they presented the inmates not all following the social stigma. The people we saw are not all bad people but have made some bad decisions that got them there, but there are some people here who would rather slit your throat than shake your hand.
Very knowledgeable staff and informative with todays world.
Palmdaddy456
I enjoyed the tour and believed it to be very much an eye opener. We sometimes forget what is out there just right around the corner in our own town. The people and their crimes. Its sad and heartbreaking to know such people exist , choose , or was raised with these values and morals. Thought the tour was full of information and insight. Definitely a plus to be outside the classroom and seeing some of the factors we have learned played out. The PCJ seems to run smoothly and with well trained and caring people. Loved how he believes in treating people with respect and human even in their situation. Think this would be a great tour to give some younger kids (teens) that have made early bad choices or on the road too. Give them an eye opener of where you can end up and its not cool like the movies but very depressing, grey, and everyday you live yesterday over again. Think if you are wanting to go in law enforcement great place to start and seems like wonderful people to work for and with. It would also give you a close up look and experience with people. I have a lot of respect for people who choose this job and deal with people in this type of situation and hearing their stories. compassof4012
ReplyDeleteI thought the tour of PCJ was a good experience. I had never been inside a place like this so it was a somewhat inconceivable to me how inmates live. Most of them are probably so used to returning that they are used to the environment. I'm sure alot of them are there because of conflict subcultures. They are gang members and people who only know one way of living life. Being gang members makes them feel powerful on the street. I'm sure most of them did not have role models to show them any different. In any case, the jail environment was very depressing to me. I was surprised to see how a place like operates on a daily basis. It can't be an easy job to keep all those inmates under control. The man in charge did a very good job of giving us information. He had alot of interesting things to say. I can believe that most of these inmates are repeat offenders. I will have to say that I was surprised that almost all of the inmates I saw were black men. Gender and race inequality was obvious within the jail. Men do generally commit most crimes according to the jail population. I think women, being raised different than men, are generally more apt to not commit as many crimes as men. Society seems to punish men and women different in certain types of crime. I was unaware that the jail had a section for the medicalization of deviance. I could see where it was much needed. Some of the inmates inside the pods looked somewhat mentally disturbed. Some of them looked right at home. It was as if they were used to that environment. I just can't imagine people giving up to the point of it being their norm to be institutionalized. Police work and working in a jail has to be more of a counseling job than anything. You must analyze inmates moves before they even make them. You have to know how to talk to people and treat people to keep the situation somewhat under control. I admire people who choose to go into this field, with the intentions of maybe helping people change their ways to live a more normal life. Inmates are troubled people. They really do need help. Hopefully, some of them will accept it and change. I myself, could not work inside a jail. It was great how they offered programs to keep the inmates occupied. One of the most important things that I think needs to be done, is finding some type of funding to make sure that while the inmates are there, they get a GED and learn as much as they can while incarcerated. That will give them a small start for when they go back into society. This was definitely an interesting tour. It is one that I will not soon forget. Thank you for the experience.nana012
ReplyDeleteYou hit it on the head, how some looked right at home and some were disturbed. It makes me think of the movie "Shawshank Redemption" when they used the term "institutionalized". Some of the repeat offenders probably do it somewhat unintentionally because they don't know anything else than being in jail. It's sad to think that, but after so many visits, it's just second nature to them. It is hard to think that those inmates are in that place right now while I sit in my living room, able to do whatever I want. If I want to leave and go to my friend's house, I can. They cannot. They have to do what they are told to do, when they are told to do it. Maybe that is part of their makeup. They cannot make their own good decisions so they need someone else to tell them the right things to do. Kane012
DeleteI think the people who make themselves at home in PCJ only do so because they feel like society has given up on them, and that they have no other choice. The idea of a total institution is terrifying in the context of prison, but isn't really that far off what we deal with everyday. The military can be considered a total institution, and we freely accept what they do and stand for because were told by authority figures they're alright. Firedancer012
DeleteTouring the complex was such a pleasure I can say I am more dedicated to be a probation officer. I can say that I will be back at the jail not as a cell inmate but as someone standing guard protecting. I've learned a lot and as also seen alot I wish we could've seen more nd actually wished we could have spoken with few of the inmates. Doc White has done an amazing job teaching us of what's in the text only to actually be a witness of it. I've always had my heart sat out to protect the young and save the generation to come seeing the jail hasn't done anything but put more trust and courage into myself to fulfil my goals. Alot of things has sat me back meaning sickness but as one says you will do what your heart tells you and those words has still stuck to me. Til this day I think of the jail visit as if I just got out of it, it has made such an impact that will only move me foward. I was so happy but scared at the same time not really knowing why I was scared but i am now true of my purpose to why I'm going to college. It was the best time of day nd if I can do it again I most definitely would. I've spoken to the tour guide on my own time about my role I want to play in the law enforcement nd it is to me to stay motivated, finiah, college go take the test and I'll be on my way hearing those words I couldn't do anything but smile. Among the jail tour I've learned alot aboUT inmates and how they cope, either it being a GED program, a little job in the jail or some life program to help them cope with themselves the victims family and life in jail period. Reading the text I can tel it was hard, and eye for eye I saw it was hard. It up to the people themselves or the officers to promote a better system and surrounding of our ppl and that's where I wanna come in at. LifeImagine789
ReplyDeleteThe PCJ tour was different from what I had expected. I have done another tour before and that was in a different county. I thought it was interesting how the super intendant said the main thing he harps on his officers is respect for the inmates. I think it's interesting the social stigma that gets placed on the inmates and as a result can show in police work. That was something that really stood out to me. When we went through the two-way mirror, I had observed that the inmates seemed to be somewhat at peace as if it's their home away from home. I don't generally like to use the word assume, but it appeared that some of the people being housed have been to PCJ many times. Relating back to the classroom, rehabilitation was emphasized a good amount of time from GED and other programs, certifications and even through religion. Jails are different from prisons because jails can house you up to 364 days opposed to a prison which can hold a person longer than 1 year.
ReplyDeleteMental health was another interesting aspect of the facility. The guide said that almost everyone takes medicines of some kind as well as seek mental heath from the nurse's station. The facility doubles as a mental health hospital and a jail. The facility has declined on inmates having a head count of 300+ opposed to the 600's that the facility used to be at. The cost to house someone in this facility was about $87 which I found shocking since there is so much going on.
All in all, this was very eye opening and I have considered this as a potential job opportunity once I finish my schooling to get my foot in the door. Look forward to going back on the tour during the spring.
Palmdaddy456
I was able to tour the Juvenile side of the PCJ, as well as the main PCJ. They were both eye-opening visits. It truly makes me sad to see the children that are housed there. I wish we, as a society, could figure out what causes these children to make these poor decisions and FIX that. I know I am trying to simplify it, but our world would be a better place in the end. I realize that some of them are a product of their environment and they "do what they have to do" to survive. I also realize that they very well may have parents that are not around and these kids have too much freedom, especially at a young age. This is such an unfortunate epidemic in the world. Our children get left behind so many times and they get lost in the cracks. Then what happens is they continue to make the same poor decisions and they then "move next door" to the jail. What I noticed next was the lack of freedom they have. This can be argued both ways. The fact that they are criminals and do not deserve ANY freedoms, but how do they really have a chance to rehabilitate. It's definitely a fine line. If they are given too many freedoms, some may take advantage of the situation. I'm sure there are the ones that take full advantage of their opportunity and truly try to make themselves a better person and make a contribution to society. I like that the facility management truly wants to help these people get better. It gives me hope that if these inmates can see there are people that care about their wellbeing, it may have a great impact on their lives. The management team has a tough job to do, but their professionalism and compassion shone through. Kane012
ReplyDeleteI also attended the juvenile tour and going to both institutions. You really get to see how both function and how some juveniles will become habitual offenders and transfer to the adult jail. Observations made on these tours really do help in tie what we've learned to reality. -Pack789
DeleteThe visit always makes me aware that I am following the career path that I want to be doing. That was the third time that I have toured PCJ, and I either learn more or learn about the new changes that are happening. It is very obvious that most of the population was black and that it was split with 90 percent males and 10 percent female. It was said only about 40 people were in for homicide and most everyone else is probably drug and alcohol related with a few in between. I was a little upset that we didn’t get to see the female pods like we did the males. We have talked about females most of the semester and then we didn’t get to see how they interact with each other on a daily basis. The accreditation of PCJ is also another big thing. It allows for extra amenities like medical and extra staff to help with the inmates that have mental health issues and therapy. With only two escapes, I would say that the correctional officers are checking and taking care of the inmates and that the building is not perfect, but up to date enough. I enjoyed the visit. It was very interesting and most of the people in PCJ just made the wrong choices at the wrong time. CSI 789
ReplyDeleteI thought the PCJ visit was a very valuable experience. I have gone on the tour before and i felt that I learned just as much going the second time. I also noticed how the things we learned in class really tied in to the information during the tour. Like how accreditation helps facilitate better institutions and provides incentives for smooth operations. Additionally, being in the facility really puts it into perspective on how jails and prisons truly operate. Another thing I valued about this trip was when the Superintendent mentioned that the correctional system is a great career to gain experience for future career goals. I never thought of working in the correctional system before this but now I might be looking into correctional jobs in the near future. -Pack789
ReplyDeleteThis tour was truly a once and a life time experience. I was very happy I was able to tour the jail, and learn things that I had no idea about. Crazy to think that some people have to live in a confined space for days upon end. I know a couple good people that have made some bad life decisions, and actually spent time in the PCJ. It was very eye opening to hear the stories that were told, and I had no idea that two men shawshanked their way out of the PCJ. It was a really cool experience to hear how they did it, and how they out smarted the system for a period of time. Also learning about how the correction officers take several different routes to the court house was very interesting, and super smart of them to take such precautions. Touring the women's cell block was very eye opening and interesting. The cells are very tiny, and seeing how they live and the space they have to live in really makes me want to stay out of trouble. Also being able to watch some of the men walk around the cell block, and see how they live really makes me want keep a good head on my shoulders. That visit made me come to realize nothing is worth a trip to the PCJ. No DUI, no attempted theft, not even a fight is worth the long haul to the jail. The tour was a great experience and hopefully the opportunity to take another tour will arise later in life because that was a wonderful learning experience and I'm grateful to have gotten the chance. (Mac-012)
ReplyDeleteI agree that living in cramped quarters is crazy, I certainly couldn't do it. I think it's very smart of PCJ to change routes in order to keep up security, who knows who could be following them. Physically seeing the cramped quarters and how people are forced to live in incarceration definitely makes me want to stay out of trouble too, why would anyone want to give up their freedom to live like that? Firedancer012
DeleteI agree. I couldn't live like that. I know some schools went to visit the jail in 8th grade. My school didn't go so this was my first visit at 26yo. And I must say, it definitely makes me want to stay out of trouble. I couldn't imagine living like that and being told what to do and when to do it. But honestly, I think some criminals crave that attention. They want to be told what to do and when to do it. It gives them structure in their lives which was probably chaotic in the free world which drove them to a life of crime. KingOli1016012
DeleteFirst, I would like to say the jail was way bigger than what I imagined it to be. There were so many twist and turns that It sort of made me paranoid, but I knew we would not purposely be put in danger. Overall I thought the trip to the CJ was very informing our "tour guide" did a good job of explaining statistics and the way the jail works. I really did not have any questions because he did so well with explaining the process. I liked how he made it clear that they treat the inmates with respect and like people stating that most of them are not bad people, but have made bad decisions. I did want to mention, though we were not seen, after watching the inmates through the two sided glass I felt we were treating them like animals in a zoo. It was interesting and I was curious to see them in their pods, but after a min or so I felt like we were degrading them. The most interesting part was to hear they treat the federal inmates like trustees all because of the money they receive. That just shows how this world still works when It comes to status and money. I don't know what most of the federal inmates were going for but the whole concept that they were given a tad bit more freedom because the income they receive for housing had me thinking a little about how our society is. food012
ReplyDeleteThe jail tour was excellent and I really learned a lot and just how scary going to jail can be. I noticed the holding cells for guys waiting to be released on bail or had not been processed yet and was amazed to hear the superintendent explain all the ways they hide drugs upon coming inside. It's stupid to think that people would result to concealing the drugs and possibly harming themselves in the process than just hand it over and accept the consequences. The walkway overlooking the pods drove home the fact that the CO's really are trying to watch their every move. I noticed how some inmates were huddled on end of the pod reading a paper while there was another pacing up and down probably as a lookout watching our shadows in the windows. Experiencing that in person made me feel more appreciative of the work the CO's put in to do their jobs right. The pod we walked into and were allowed to see what the inside of a cell was like made me feel extremely claustrophobic. Those cells were incredibly tiny, could smell the gases coming from the waste system and just felt cold. It's certainly made me feel more appreciative of the life I have and hope that I see the inside of a cell again unless it's a tour. It was great to listen to the superintendent explain how he wants to help these inmates become better people with the work programs and trustee programs they have in place. He really seems to understand that just talking to someone as human being and not treating them like dogs is one of the best deterrents of crime. I had a great time and am proud to know that this jail has the accreditation and proper respect for their inmates and certainly would love to come back on tour again. Flitzy789
ReplyDeleteI thought our visit to PCJ was very informative and educational. Seeing how confined and separated it was, really helps you put into perspective what its like to be there day in and day out. You can definitely see that the number one priority above all is the safety of the CO's and other staff members; there many safety procedures to be followed as well as a hierarchy of command in order to control everyone. I personally liked being able to put myself in the CO's shoes by going up in the hallway overseeing the pod of men. It helped me understand their position a little bit more as well as how they perform their periodic checks throughout their shifts. Being inside the cells was definitely an eye opener. They were very cramped and had a kind of putrid and stale smell. I was shocked to find out that the inmates have to eat lunch in the pods. Hollywood and the Media would have you believe that they all come to a cafeteria and stand in a line to get their food, then sit down and eat at tables together. However, its quite the contrary in real life. The inmates actually eat in their separate pods and are called one by one (via their name) to get their food, and the same thing is done to return their trays. All in all, I more than enjoyed myself during the tour and am ecstatic to have another chance to go. I feel as though there is so much more to learn and I'm eager to get that information.
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I was anxious and perhaps a little nervous for Wednesday night's visit. This was something that was outside of my comfort zone and unlike anything I've ever been exposed to. The media and movies paint a picture that prisons and jails are full of violence. Upon arrival, the first thing I was surprised with was the conditions of the building. I knew that this was a bit newer but still had this vision in my head that the inside would be dark, dingy, and dirty. And don't even get me started on how I thought the smell would be. But it was a pleasant, nerve-calming surprise. Once the tour started all the previous fears started to come back. What was going to be behind each door? Would the inmates give us a hard time? Would I unknowingly come into contact with some mysterious bodily fluids and contact some sort of nasty disease? Oh I was mentally preparing my checklist....burn clothes, bleach my body, and dispose of anything I came into contact with until I was sanitized...including my car. But again, I was pleasantly surprised. The building wasn't what those movies had prepared me for. We did see inmates but none of them really said anything, they just watched out of curiosity. And who wouldn't? You stay in the same room for days on end only seeing the same people everyday....you're gonna stare too.
ReplyDeleteWhat also distracted me from my subconsious irrational fears was the gentleman giving the tour. He delivered facts that and kept it entertaining. He used humor to lighten the situation while still driving home important facts and giving us important instructions for our visit. That day I learned the difference between a prison and a jail, which I had not know before. I got a better insight as to the types of crimes in the local area that land those people there. As we walked, I listened and I watched, taking it all in. My nerves faded. I realized that while tv touches upon some of the things that do happen in prisons/jails, they capitalize on the negative. Those awful things dont happen as often as we are lead to believe and while acts of violence are know, they are rare and we probably weren't going to be caught in a shootout or held captive by one of Peoria's premier sociopaths.
One of the things, I wished we would have spent more time talking about and touring was the women population. We knew why a lot of the men were there, what their days were like, and a various other facts and figures behind the male population. But what about the women? Surely the "patterns" of their crimes were different from those of the men. Is the turn around for the women higher than that of the men? Meaning, are their crimes less severe and are they as subseptable to continue their life of crime once released, ensuring they would be going back to jail? What was the percentage of women to men? While the Q & A was short, at the end I enjoyed it. The few questions that were asked were ones that I had thought or wanted to know that answer to.
So while Wednesday's trip wasn't like a clip from "The Green Mile" or an episode of "Orange Is The New Black", I enjoyed the time spent there. It went by quick and I would recommend it to anyone. It doesn't matter what your area of study is or what you want to be when you grow up, it's informative and it will be something you remember. MomtoM.L.M.012
I first off want to say I definitely enjoyed the tour, it was very insightful and opened my mind to the reality of what it is really like spending time behind bars. It was not what I expected it to be by any means. When my husband and I first got together he had to spend two weeks there for tickets that he hadn't paid for years and he said that is was a pretty crappy place to be, tight living spaces and just no where to be. I did the video chat with him and saw the pods a little bit but defiantly didn't get the big picture until I saw it first hand. First of all its a lot cleaner and in order than I thought it would be. It was nice to see the booking process and see how all of that works because I have only been in the bonding area, never behind the doors. Thank goodness of course. I didn't really know what to expect as far as inmates went, from movies you see you would think everyone would be acting like hooligans and being crazy but it wasn't like that at all; though I'm sure at times it very well could be. People were just pacing, playing cards, writing letters, watching t.v and hanging out. A very boring life indeed. I was a bit surprised by the small space that the pods and cells were, and I couldn't imagine using the bathroom in front of a crowd of people, but I guess certain rights get taken away when you can't obey the law.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to learn how their day went, wake up, clean up, get breakfast ect. It shows that they do want people to feel like humans there and they give them incentives instead of making them feel worse than they probably already do for being there. It was also interesting to learn about the man that broke out, I guess I don't stay up on the news because I knew nothing of that until he mentioned it. It's crazy what people are capable of when they sit and watch for so long. Very awesome to hear that they captured them in 18 hours I believe he said. That goes to show they take their job very serious. Over all this changed my perspective of how horrible jail is, like seen on the tv show jail and other movies and series. Obviously its not anywhere you would want to be period, but its not as bad as I perceived it before. They seem to give everyone equal opportunities until they mess up and don't deserve it, they seem to give the inmates the respect they deserve as long as they are receiving respect.
I enjoyed this visit and the gentleman that did the tour was very insightful and seemed very happy to do it. I would suggest this tour to anybody, not eve if you want to do criminal justice but just to learn the reality of the situation. Make your own conclusion about the place instead of assuming. It is something I will not forget. Newmommybe012
I must say the PCJ tour was very insightful to say the least. The tour guide did an amazing job at explaining everything, making it interesting, using humor and involving us in the tour. He almost made me want to switch my major to Criminal Justice. lol Seriously though. I learned a lot that I didn't know before. Most of my family has worked in various prisons across the state and I've heard several stories. I know prison is different from jail, but actually being in the facility gave me some insight first hand on what I was told. Like the guy said, these aren't necessarily bad people, they've just made bad decisions. This is why they are given opportunities and treated as humans instead of animals. What we see on tv is maybe what happens every once in awhile in a jail. It may get hectic, but most of the time if you treat them with respect, they will respect you. I myself could not live in a small pod, or sleep in a small cell like that. I think this tour was helpful for me in a sense when it comes to crime. I will never commit a crime, because I do not want to do the time. I appreciate the fact that the inmates are given a chance to come out of their cells. Locking someone up and "throwing away the key" so to speak, regardless of their crime could cause more hurt than not. If I was criminal justice major, I would actually see if I could talk with this guy a little more because he definitely knows his stuff and is easy to talk to. KingOli1016012
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