- Prøv å ta Facebook fra de på utsiden, og se hva som skjer : en kvalitativ undersøkelse av innsattes opplevelse av den regulerte mediesituasjonen i fengsel

Abstract

This thisis is about the media situation in prison. It is reasonable to assume that inamtes are the group in society who experiences the most regulations on their media usage. The purpose is to answer: How do inmates experience the regulated media situation in prison? To elucidate the problem, I have also included a subproblem that deals with how the media situation, as perceived by the inmates, places itself in relation to what Graham Sykes calls the modern pains of imprisonment. Can the media dampen some of the pain the inmates experience? And if so, how? I would also like to see if the regualtions they experience in terms of the media usage becomes a part of these pains and frustrations. The empirical material of the thesis is collected through interviews with four inmates from two different prisons in Norway. To discuss and interpret the data, theories of life in prison, the total institution, the modern pains of imprisonment, and media theories dealing with the media's role in society, the media's role in identity-construction and in everyday life are used. The main findings in this assignment, show that the media access in prison is of great importance to the iinamtes when impriosoned, but the media situation is a also a big frustration. Having media is essential for the inmates to feel like a part of the outside world and for them to be up to date on the outside community. The media can help them with deprevations, sexual frustration, maintaining mental health and maintaining ties to their own identity and family and friends. The media also creates community and discussion topics amongst inmates, between inmates and prison officers, and between inmates and their relatives. Although the media, in many areas, are important for the inmates, many of the regulations also cause great frustration. Particularly the lack of access to internet and new technology is frustrating, and the inmates fear their own digital skills will weaken substantially. The weakening of digital literacy can have negative consequences when the inmates return to society and work-life after their release. The regulations related to media access are perceived as an additional punishment in the penalty.