The Treatment of Escaped Prisoners Upon Recapture: A Survival Guide
When an inmate escapes and is recaptured, they face a new reality within the prison system. This article explores the treatment ofescaped individuals, the consequences they face upon recapture, and the steps they must take to reintegrate into the prison community.
Escaping and Getting Back to Prison
Escaping from prison is a significant feat that requires immense courage, determination, or even sheer luck. Once an inmate is recaptured, they are never returned to the general population again. Instead, they will serve the remainder of their sentence in Ad Seg, known as Administrative Segregation, where they are deemed a security risk.
The period leading up to recapture is often celebrated by fellow inmates. A fellow prisoner might remark, “Hey, you did it! Nice job. Not many thought you could do it,” showing a sense of admiration for the escape attempt. However, this sentiment is short-lived, as they will only receive slaps on the back and positive reinforcement before moving on to the more severe reality.
Administrative Segregation and Corresponding Punishments
Once recaptured, the inmate faces significant punishments. The warden will inform the recaptured inmate that their cell has been reassigned and they will need to stay in a motel until there is another opening within the prison. Although the intention is to keep them local, this is not always possible, as cells may be hard to find.
Administrative Segregation, or Ad Seg, can be distinctly miserable. Prisoners are often placed in solitary confinement, which can last for several years. During this period, their access to privileges is revoked. Among these are working to earn money, going to the library, and even buying items from the canteen. The inmate is placed in a Bible, a few sheets of paper, a pen, and one additional book from the book cart for all their reading material. They are under strict lockdown conditions.
In terms of legal consequences, the inmate will face severe charges in the prison's disciplinary system. These charges can add between five and ten years to their sentence. The inmate will serve the added sentence in isolation, often at the same prison from which they escaped. In some cases, they may be immediately transferred to a Level 5 security prison, facing the same charges from both the prison and the state authorities. This means they face double jeopardy for the same offense, which is a common practice in the correctional system.
Loss of Civil Rights and Impact on Reintegration
One of the most disconcerting consequences of recapture and the subsequent punishment is the loss of civil rights. When an inmate is under the system, they lose their civil rights that others not incarcerated retain. This includes the right to work, access to educational resources, and the ability to purchase items from the prison store. The added time in administrative segregation is also added to the entire sentence, not just the breach.
Reintegration into the prison community involves more than just adapting to new living conditions. It requires navigating the loss of privileges, dealing with the stigma of being a recaptured escapee, and making amends with fellow inmates. Upon reintegration, prisoners must prove their rehabilitation and show that they can function within the prison system without posing a security risk.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The recapture of an escaped inmate marks the beginning of a long and challenging process of punishment and rehabilitation. The treatment at the hands of fellow inmates and the severe penalties imposed by the prison system highlight the harsh realities of life in prison. While there is no easy way to reintegrate into the prison community, the support of fellow inmates, adherence to prison rules, and a commitment to rehabilitation can help ease the transition.
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