What Is Prisonism?

Prisonism is punitive dehumanization. It has two definitions: (1) The dehumanization of people in prison, and (2) The practice of aggressively sending people to prison. The result of such an inhumane custom is seen in our country's recidivism rate which is why society's No.1 goal is the reformation of our federal prison system. 

Examples of prisonism toward inmates include:

• Abuse of authority (This is when authority figures use excessive force against prisoners)

• Advocation of unjust treatment (This is when people support, defend, or recommend, the cruel treatment of prisoners)

• Indifference to living conditions (This is the acceptance and/or "blind eye" to overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of privacy, pest infestation, etc)

• collective punishment (this is the practice of penalizing a group of people for the actions of one or a few, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law)

• exploitation of labor (this involves forcing inmates to work for little or no pay)

• inadequate healthcare (this includes poorly-trained staff and/or having too few medical staff to operate effectively, delays or denials of necessary medical treatment, neglect and preventable deaths, etc.)

• economic exploitation (this includes mismanagement of funds whereas monies generated from inmate purchases and communications, which are supposed to go into "Inmate Welfare Funds," are often mismanaged and diverted)

What Does "End Prisonism" mean?

Prisonism is an abstract noun. It's a word that captures all of the problems of prison. The phrase End Prisonism means to fix the problems so that prison can fulfill its mission to rehabilitate inmates so that when released, they will be less likely to commit crimes. 

The Solution

The solution to prisonism is the End Prisonism 3-Point Plan which consists of three components:

Real Jobs Real Pay: Real Jobs Real Pay will commission companies to operate on prison grounds. These companies will offer real jobs to inmates and pay the standard rate for their labor. Inmates will then be able to pay their fair share of financial obligations to the country (taxes, social security, etc.). This will also impel inmates to pay for their own living expenses such as food, rent, and resource consumption, which will lower the tax burden.

Technology Integration: Technology Integration will keep inmates familiar with modern technology. Integration includes mechanical technology, communications technology, electronic technology, industrial technology, and manufacturing technology.

huMAINTAINity: huMAINTAINity will maintain humanity and bring an end to all dehumanizing tactics in prison. This includes "squat and cough," extensive and excessive lockdowns, partiality to grievances, and deprivation of resources. All of which are detrimental to the mental growth of individuals.

End Prisonism by James Trust

"I'm James Trust and I'm a criminal. I would like to share with you my revolutionary book called End Prisonism. It highlights how our nation has a nearly 70% recidivism rate and a lot of that is due to how prison is structured. In order to have successful growth, we have to (first) start with the individual, then (second) the environment. Prison is a destructive environment; it reinforces destructive behavior so much so that when many of us get out of prison we don't have the civil tools necessary to be a productive citizen. Remember that recidivism rate? 

This is due to prisonism which is punitive dehumanization. It affects inmates, staff, and society as a whole. Families are plagued by it, and the whole prison system is plagued by it. Now if you would rather see me robbing the community, selling drugs to the community, or scamming the community, then this book is not for you. But if you believe or even have a little bit of hope in a vision to cure the criminal, then check out this book."

-James Trust

Download the End Prisonism book