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| Image 1, Nathaniel Lindell |
It seems from the time I have spent on BTB that inmates serving very long sentences in isolation are
able to “take considerable shocks” (Buchanan, 2002 p. 145), losing all social
contact, they are able to survive “without going to pieces” (Buchanan, 2002 p. 145), and attempt new
contacts through resources such as Prison Pen-Pal sites and Between the Bars
(BTB), just as some ecosystems with weak links have the capability to do.
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| Image 2, James Riva |
References
Buchanan, M. (2002). The Tangled Web. In Small Worlds and
the Groundbreaking Science of
Networks.
WW Norton & Company: New York.
Frimmel, M. (2013). (Artist). Between the bars Retrieved from http://betweenthebars.org/posts
/13701/
Lindell, N. (2012). (Artist). Prometheus Writes, Between the Bars retrieved from:
https://betweenthebars.org/posts/6079/
Frimmel, M. (2013). (Artist). Between the bars Retrieved from http://betweenthebars.org/posts
/13701/
Lindell, N. (2012). (Artist). Prometheus Writes, Between the Bars retrieved from:
https://betweenthebars.org/posts/6079/
Riva, J. (2013). Between the Bars. Retrieved from https://betweenthebars.org/blogs/339/james-
riva?page=2
I have enjoyed your posts immensely and have looked forward to my weekly fix.
ReplyDeleteThe network topics of power, surveillance and isolation have resonated deeply within your chosen network. You've delved into isolation again this week with articulation.
I would like to offer another perspective of isolation. The situation described below is by no means comparative to the narrative of incarceration, far from it. What it does describe however, is the impacts of a 'chosen' isolation due to economics.
My husband works for a global mining company in WA (we reside in Cairns) and he works a 2 on/1 off roster with 2 of the 'off' days used in commuting allowing 5 days off a month or 10 days every other month. This is only on the condition that weather and connecting flights are favourable.
Neil read your post "The Power Genre" and said, "This has similar qualities of working in the Pilbara". He went on to explain the situations of power, surveillance and isolation as it is on site.
Surveillance: CCTV cameras at camp; mine managers (in an elevated position) observing workers through binoculars; tracking devices on all vehicles; email tracking through company intranet.
Power: No control over accessible and convenient flights home but the company books all flights; individuals in mine management playing power games to instil fear and compliance; eating times strictly governed, within a 12 hour shift; dry mess feeds up to 2000 employees during shift changes; dry mess opens for a 2hr period, no exception; limited choice of food produce, mostly the produce that the supermarkets reject (bruised/tasteless/aged); when cutbacks occur plate sizes are reduced from 10" to 8" and the quality diminishes; no mobile communication devices at work.
Isolation: Limited mobile coverage reducing ability for contact with loved ones; no public computer access; limited time due to the hours worked and traveling to and from camp/pit accounting for an added 2 hours to the shift (unpaid); living/working in close quarters with others, limited privacy; recreation limited due to work hours and exhaustion.
Many may say there are components of the above that are very similar to everyday working life. Yes, however, everyday working life allows you to come home daily, debrief, separate from the work place and hold/touch, have physical contact with family and loved ones.
Others say to 'suck it up' you are paid heaps. Big myth! Neil is a qualified and highly experienced builder. Prior to the GFC of 2009 he had his own construction company. Due to governmental policies and lending practices of banking institutions (power), the housing industry is essentially dead. He needed to be employed and the only industry employing at the time was the mining industry. The remuneration is comparable to the hourly rate of a qualified tradesman. We aimed to pay off our block of land and build our home (we are currently renting) but due to the immense pressure of these conditions, it is further away than ever (strained marital relationship/escalating living and building costs).
This is a defined example of the effects of isolation, the pressure of the on-site conditions and the external economic pressures.
“Having the capability to absorb a shock and hang together, to persist even if in an altered condition” (as cited by Ruddle, 2013), is not an experience for the employees. The isolation, the power games of management and the surveillance leads to a psychology of mistrust and paranoia for all on-site.
As stated, this is not directly comparable to incarceration. Nor is it a woeful story on my behalf, but a succinct account of the effects of isolation, power plays and surveillance by institutions, companies and individuals.
Thank you once again Nicola for the opportunity to glimpse into this 'place' of BTB.
Reference
Buchanan, M. (2002). The Tangled Web. In Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Science of Networks. New York: WW Norton & Company.