‘Cavemen in an era of speed-of-light technology’ : historical and contemporary perspectives on communication within prisons

Jewkes, Yvonne; Johnston, Helen

Abstract

Many prisoners believe that the restricted access they have to computer-mediated communcation (CMC) technologies and, in particular, the almost total absence of computers and Internet access in prisons is a form of censure that renders them second-class citizens in the Information Age. This article examines contemporary rationales and historial precedents for denying prisoners the means to communicate (both with each other and with those outside the prison) and argues that the prevention of communication, a pivotal feature of the Victorian and Edwardian prison regime, represents a significant continuity in the experience of prison life in the 21st Century.

Citation

Jewkes, Y., & Johnston, H. (2009). ‘Cavemen in an era of speed-of-light technology’ : historical and contemporary perspectives on communication within prisons. Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 48(2), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2009.00559.x

• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2008
• Online Publication Date: Feb 24, 2009
• Publication Date: 2009-05
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Howard journal of criminal justice
• Print ISSN: 0265-5527
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 132-143
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2009.00559.x
• Keywords: Communication; Historical and contemporary imprisonment; Computer‐mediated technologies
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/463132
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2009.00559.x/full
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: JEWKES, Y. and JOHNSTON, H. (2009), ‘Cavemen in an Era of Speed-of-Light Technology’: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Communication within Prisons. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 48: 132–143, which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2311.2009.00559.x/full. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014