The Question of Humanity Within Concrete Walls
Ewout‘s exploration of a high-security prison complex raises a central, unsettling question: how humane can a system be when housing individuals convicted of horrific crimes? The sheer scale of the facility is striking, a silence hanging heavy over the cells containing prisoners facing sentences stretching for hundreds of years.”When you look at this, you wonder how humane this still is,” Ewout observes, grappling with the stark reality of long-term incarceration.
The prison director asserts a spotless safety record since the facility’s opening, a claim Ewout promptly challenges. He points to the practice of housing members of rival gangs in close proximity, questioning the likelihood of complete tranquility. “Then you would expect that they would sometimes come to blows with each other.”
Ewout repeatedly requests the opportunity to speak with a detainee, even as new prisoners arrive.His desire is to understand the internal landscape of those serving extreme sentences – “How does he feel now about what he did?” - but is initially met with resistance.”I don’t think it’s relevant to ask them such questions,” the director responds.
Eventually, Ewout is granted a rare five-minute interview, conducted under intense security with numerous officers present. The detainee, serving a 100-year sentence for the murders of two minors, admits the hardship of his confinement. “It’s tough, but maybe we deserve it,” he states. He describes a cycle of daytime pretense and nighttime regret, believing he will “never leave again.” He attributes his crimes – “doing bad things, killing, extorting… anything to survive” – to a troubled upbringing.
Following the brief conversation, Ewout is left questioning the authenticity of the detainee’s account. The director claims the man was “randomly chosen” for the interview, a statement Ewout disputes. “This man is also highlighted in reports from foreign channels,” he notes in a voice-over, adding that the prisoner “wisely remains silent about the harsh prison conditions.”
The experience leaves Ewout pondering the fundamental question of humanity within the prison walls, a question that remains unanswered as he continues his inquiry.
Ewout: Dangerous Prisons can be seen every Wednesday at 8:30 PM on RTL 4 and on videoland.
