MYSTICISM OF THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT AND FAMILY RECONSTRUCTION OF EX-INMATES OF THE CENTRAL PRISON OF YAOUNDÉ: A STUDY OF 3 CASES

Authors: Banen John Thierry, Oyono Adams Daniel & Chaffi Cyrille Ivan

ABSTRACT

A fundamental question in the study of the prison environment in Cameroon is to describe and understand its functioning and structure. The Cameroonian prison system is designed to punish outlaws and keep them out of society. This article aims to demonstrate the impact of women’s imprisonment on their social status. Prison conditions, in a context of internal prejudice and representation, weaken the family reconstruction of ex-prisoners. After a period of incarceration, women mothers are forced to renounce their position within the family due to transformational determinants, opacity, fixation and the scarcity of social interactions. The situation of incarcerated mothers remains a cause for concern, particularly in view of the cultural role assigned to them. The results of a clinical study of three ex-women in prison indicate that incarceration, non-gendered conditions of confinement, the opacity of the prison environment and the erosion of family ties are obstacles to the process of family reconstruction, which can lead to failure in the social reintegration of women ex-prisoners. It is recommended to consider readjusting prison policies and structures in order to reorganize the conditions of detention of women prisoners in Cameroon.

Keywords: mysticism of the prison environment, prisoners, fixation, opacity, family reconstruction.

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