| A person, a community member who does not
abide by the rules of society and is thus punished by not being
able to remain in it. He is removed from it and placed in an
alternative community…one that differs drastically from the one
from which he was removed. It is expected that he will one day
return to that former society. But for a predetermined amount of
time, he remains in this alternative community that is a world
unto itself, harsher, colder, and darker than normal society.
Time stands still, and he takes for granted that the outside
world will remain as it was at the time of his transition…yet
sporadically he catches glimpses – through song lyrics, family
visits, or written letters – that time has most certainly moved
on in the outside world, even though his environment changes
very negligibly. Change in the ‘outside world’ is inevitable. In
light of the trepidation of this realization, soon this
alternative – though seemingly less desirable – community
represents all he knows and is comfortable with, and he no
longer feels any connection to society “out there.”
Ultimately though, he will be returning to society outside of
the walls of the inner alternative community, unprepared and
fearing the hoops and hurdles that he will have to jump through
and over to adjust. Instead of free cable and no
responsibilities, he will have to demonstrate ability sufficient
for finding a job and making a living. Yet little in this
alternative community has prepared him for doing this. He
doesn’t even remember how to live out there.
In light of this, what was the purpose of the time spent in
the alternative society? Was it to inflict punishment? Because
if that is the case, it should have ended upon release into
greater society…and yet the punishment – now in the form of
inability and helplessness - remains. Was it for rehabilitation?
Evidently not, as he returns to greater society no more ready to
be a contributing member of it than before he was locked away.
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