SHORT NOTES ON INMATES PARTICIPATION IN PRISON GOVERNANCE

The inmates participation in prison governance is refer to procedures and structure that allows
prisoners to express their views on a wide variety of issues or relevance for their collective life
in a prison. There are various inmates participation that the positive associations of participation
in prison activities (e.g. socio-cultural activities, educational courses, sports activities, vocational
training, etc.), including reduction of recidivism, improvement of wellbeing and contributions to
self-worth, are increasingly recognized. However, little is known about the characteristics by
which participants differ from non-participants. In response to this research gap, this study aims
to examine the determinants of inmate participation in prison activities. The determinants are
categorized as outlined by the importation (individual characteristics) and deprivation (prison life
characteristics) frame- works. Survey data derived from a research project in a remand prison in
Belgium provided the empirical evidence for the multiple linear regression analyses. The
findings indicate that individual deprivation variables are more likely to predict participation.
However, the findings also highlight that the combined effects of importation and deprivation
characteristics are more powerful in explaining activity participation. The article concludes by
discussing some paths for future prison research and implications for theory and practice. It
provides impetus to organize and increase participation in prison activities, taking into account
the diverse characteristics, needs and competences of the prison population.

Popular stereotypes often portray prisons in one of two ways: either overcrowded, violent, and
chaotic places, like those found in some parts of America, or small, peaceful, and well-organised,
like those found in much of Scandinavia. It turns out that life behind bars actually differs in
many ways. In some prisons, officials are the main source of order and security. In others,
prisoners play a significant role in producing stability and governance within the society of
captives. In fact, in some facilities, the prisoners participate in thriving associations based on
democratic principles.

Also , the Inmates participate in a variety of councils to discuss the different types of
rehabilitation programs offered in the prison. This favors inmate participation in the decision-
making process, and in deciding prison policies such as grooming, inmate movement, and
property rights. If inmates commit rule infractions, disciplinary hearing are fair and impartial,
and inmates are usually given the benefit of the doubt by prison staff and they are allow to voice
complaints and comments on prison life and make suggestions for changes. Although it is for
national prison administrations to decide on the form that such communication channels will take
it is difficult to know exactly what other channels may adopted other than prisoner councils. The
prisoner also participate in the governance process through participating in meetings ,review and
update meetings and elect representative themselves to be part of governance body in the prison
thus the prison inmates participate in governance system.
The inmates are allow to participate in prison for the betterment life of inmates to improve
rehabilitation, and to reduce the recidivism the number of inmates who reoffend after they are
released from prison.