Graffiti And Self In Prison Setting

Analyzing prison graffiti: is it a proper method for a closer examination of representation of self in incarceration?

Gergely Fliegauf, MA psychologist Police Academy, Hungary, Budapest Dept. of Corrections

„Psychologia na rzecz bezpieczeństwa publicznego” Wyższa Szkoła Policji, Szczytno, 3–4 września 2009 r.

Function of graffiti - self expression – to tell - impression making – to tell - indentification of the self in a group (gang) – to tell - substitution of agression or self harm – to tell

We want the inmates to... -

to tell the truth – during criminal procedure to tell the truth – during court hearing to tell the truth – to the prison doctor to tell the truth – in disciplinary cases They DON’T TELL US the truth – representation of self

You can kill me but never break me

Holy Mary shall help you

Dialogue: the guards are fags – yes, yes they are

Symbols of freedom and deprivation

Statement WORLD HIDES EVERYTHING BUT I BRING IT UP I TAKE MY POWER FROM YOU ALL THE HOLY GOD LIVES IN ME THEREFORE I’M NOT LOST MY SOUL MIGHT BE GUILTY BUT IT IS A REAL ONE

Borsodians are cannibals - a self identification in a gang

Special gang and/or prison sign: hanged man = revenge

Prison art on prison inner walls eyes: they watching us eyes: an open eye to the society angel: need for salvation pain, mask, break out snarl: threat opium pipe: need for rest insects, lizard: semi-human cogwheel: prison machinery NB: sockets at the bottom of the picture

Mixed cultures

Subculture (tatoo*)

*the prisoner on the picture gave his consent to publish this photo

Best wishes from a releasing cell

Gang activity, gang build up in prisons and outside LEGIO PATRIA NOSTRA

(NAME OF

THE GANG)

SOMA, LONG CSABI, NORBI, take care of you, we said goodbye a couple of hours ago, I miss you already, it’s a pity that we met each other at this place, it was good to be together, LEGIONARY

Message (prison slang), bullying like kids My dear Hofi, respect yourself, those four days were real hard, I have 5 hours left, but the rest is nothing, I was happy to finding you, my Hofi, take care for you, and your mom, and slay the whores, I say goodbye, we collide soon, be cool, your friend Dadu ... Re: you are a prison snitch, skinless and illiterate Re: you to + and your brother + and your father

Racism in a German prison White is the colour of innocents Huge light green letters made with a marker in an intake cell NB: small writing striked through at the bottom right

Polish message in a German prison (under the matrasse on the bed board)

A Czech prisoner learns Spanish (a paper in a plastic folder nailed on the wall)

Philosophy (How can a human being close down another one?)

Discussion (Analyzing PGs for what?) Psychology: to open up, stories, traumas Sociology: critiques on the society, subcultures Social psychology: inter group relations, the self of the prisoner Antropology: rituals in prison, values Criminology: gangs, youth crime, bullying APPLY: Investigation: outside relations, organized crime, drug related issues Prison: additional classification and separation Prison management: staff training, disturbed, violent detainees, operative tasks, drug related issues, help prison rape victims

Thank you for your kind attention!

Prison graffiti help to discover the criminal mind (Arabic writing in an Austrian intake cell)

Contact Gergely Fliegauf e-mail: [email protected] web: http://hungarianprisonpsychology.blogspot.com/