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Write a Prison Cell Description for a Creative Writing Course

Prison cell—the small room with the gray metal walls that you go to for a few hours every day, alone, with little or no human contact. What is often seen as negative reinforcement for bad behavior is one of the most intriguing teaching tools around. If you’ve ever taken a creative writing course, especially in college, you will have encountered this type of writing. The description of a prison cell can be used to stimulate ideas in your mind and help you find the ‘real’ story behind the novel you are writing (or have been called to write). You will find examples of real-life prison cells in the illustrations available below.

Choosing Your Cellmate

The type of person you will associate with in your cell will be a deciding factor in how you feel about your time there. Isolation is a dangerous thing, and even life in general can become mundane if you aren’t careful. You will need to put into consideration both your physical safety and the mental health of yourself and your cellmate(s).

It is best to write down a list of pros and cons, with plenty of room to jot down any other pertinent information, before making your decision. This will help you to see everything clearly and make the right choice for yourself.

The Pros

There are a number of advantages to keeping a person with you in your time in the cell. First of all, companionship is important. Having someone to talk to, even if it’s just about basic topics, will make the time go by more quickly. It is also helpful to have someone to motivate you to do things, whether it’s exercises or writing. Some people find that having a companion in the cell gives them a greater sense of purpose, since the cellmate is there to help them navigate their time in prison. It is also possible that companionship may reduce one’s stress levels, increasing their mental as well as physical health.

The cons are pretty self-explanatory. Having a person with you who is not a part of the rehabilitation process or an inmate wanting to show off their ‘fancy’ skills will make your time in prison more difficult. The companionship may also complicate matters, especially if you are a ward of the state and have multiple interactions with the guard staff. It is advisable to be open with your cellmate about these interactions and how they make you feel. By doing this, both of you will be able to work through any issues that may arise from this new relationship. Additionally, getting to know someone you are not related to biologically will make your time in prison more difficult, due to the risk of jealousy and/or harassment. Knowing that you are potentially being discriminated against due to your association will likewise make things more complicated. As with most other aspects of prison life, being open and honest with your cellmate will go a long way to alleviating these concerns.

The Disadvantages

Just like with the advantages, the disadvantages of keeping a person in your cell are pretty self-explanatory. One of the main disadvantages is that this person will be your immediate family member, your best friend, or someone you are very close to. This is often the case with relationships that develop in prison. People who are not biologically related will often try to be more than friends with an inmate, which can complicate matters. Additionally, depending on local laws, having a person in your cell who is not a part of the rehabilitation process or an inmate wanting to show off their ‘fancy’ skills may be illegal. In some countries, for instance, it is a criminal offense to have more than one person living in a detention center.

As with the disadvantages of most other aspects of prison life, being open with your cellmate will put you at risk of being attacked by other inmates or guards. This is often the case with relationships that develop and/or are made public in prison. In order to protect yourself from harm, it is advisable to keep your relationship with your cellmate under the radar as much as possible. It is also advisable to be careful who you talk to about your cellmate relationship. Many people do not understand what is going on and could take advantage of the information. If they do, it is best to have a private conversation with them, away from the rest of the inmates.

Choosing to write a prison cell description can be a great way to bring a fresh perspective to your creative writing course. It can help you see the world through a different lens and may even inspire you to write a novel. With a little bit of imagination and a lot of dedication, you can turn any cell into a glamorous pad ready for the disco era.