Slammer Time
October 4, 2010 3:28 AM   Subscribe

Tell me about your prison experience in the developing world.

Have you ever spent time in a prison in the developing world? I'm talking about more than just overnight.

I've read a few books about individual experiences in prisons overseas and have visited some prisoners in the developing world. You don't have to be a Westerner or a foreigner to the country where you were imprisoned, I'm just interested in your experience - what it was like, what was the worst thing, was there anything you would characterize as remotely positive, what has stuck with you about the experience, did you learn anything useful. Basically, anything you want to tell me about I want to hear.

Yes, I've seen Midnight express.

posted by la ninya to Society & Culture (11 answers total) 13 users marked this as a favorite
 
You might enjoy the Bangkwang Times - a magazine hand-written by a British prisoner serving a 30-year sentence in a Thai jail for drug offences.

The chap behind it has been transferred to a UK prison now - you can read more about his case here.
posted by Ted Maul at 4:08 AM on October 4, 2010


Scratch that last comment. I'm getting two different prisoners confused. But they're still interesting cases.
posted by Ted Maul at 4:09 AM on October 4, 2010


You might find people more forthcoming if you give them an email address they can send their responses to.
posted by Solomon at 4:30 AM on October 4, 2010 [3 favorites]


Have you read Shantaram?
posted by MuffinMan at 4:40 AM on October 4, 2010 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Good idea, Solomon.

Feel free to memail me or write me at laninyameta@gmail.com.

I've read Shantaram, thanks.
posted by la ninya at 5:33 AM on October 4, 2010


The Damage Done by Warren Fellows is also an interesting read.
posted by MuffinMan at 5:50 AM on October 4, 2010


There is a show on the National Geographic Channel (though I suspect it is produced in the UK) called Locked Up Abroad that is all about this.
posted by proj at 6:19 AM on October 4, 2010 [2 favorites]


Thai blogger Gor is serving time in prison for drug offences. With the help of friends on the outside, he writes about his experiences at Thai Prison Life.
posted by embrangled at 6:25 AM on October 4, 2010


Also check out Marching Powder if you haven't already.
posted by nitsuj at 8:33 AM on October 4, 2010


Check out the miniseries 'Bangkok Hilton'.
posted by goo at 11:15 AM on October 4, 2010


Brother One Cell
posted by pintapicasso at 3:24 PM on October 4, 2010


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