Prison and Society - A Social Awareness Talk

John Dooley, a prison officer working in Mountjoy Prison for 28 years presented an interactive workshop to sixth years on what life is really like in prison. Students on entering the workshop were advised that they were now going to be participating fully in all aspects of being imprisoned. John outlined rules, regulations and boundaries of prison life. Students were introduced to a history of Mountjoy, daily life and routine in prison, drugs and the workings of a courtroom.
After that he then started to talk to us about the type of people who are in prison and he asked us why we think they were sent to prison. Throughout the talk he spoke in an authoritative manner to people which made them very nervous in order to demonstrate the kind of atmosphere within a prison. He then got 6 guys from the front row and got them up and walking around the hall one behind the other to show how the prisoners get exercise. While they were walking John would walk up behind them and start to demonstrate what it would be like in the yard where other prisoners would harass you by asking for drugs and wondering what time you were going for your shower at; he was very funny but very informative at the same time.

Both students and teachers found it a fantastic and rewarding experience.