The Cage of Days: Time and Temporal Experience in Prison

Prisons operate according to the clockwork logic of our criminal justice system, punishing people by making them "serve" time. K. C. Carceral and Michael G. Flaherty's book "The Cage of Days" explores the connection between the subjective dimensions of time and the existential circumstances of imprisonment, revealing how prisoners become obsessed with the passage of time and preoccupied with regaining temporal autonomy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The criminal justice system functions on the precise principles of a clockwork mechanism, where the punishment for individuals involves the act of making them "serve" time. This notion forms the core of K. C. Carceral's book, The Cage of Days, which seamlessly blends the insights of a criminologist who has firsthand experience of incarceration with the expertise of a sociologist who specializes in the study of temporal experiences. Through a meticulous exploration of Carceral's field notes, captivating interviews with fellow inmates, and poignant convict memoirs, this book unveils the profound impact that time has on prisoners and the intricate ways in which prisoners manipulate and negotiate their temporal existence.

Carceral and Flaherty delve into the intricate relationship between the subjective dimensions of time and the existential realities of imprisonment. They observe that the experience of time for convicts undergoes a profound distortion due to the rhythm and routines of prison life, as well as the deliberate efforts of authorities to maintain control over an inmate's time. As a result, convicts develop an obsessive fascination with the passage of time, desperately striving to regain a sense of temporal autonomy. They employ intricate strategies to manipulate their perception of time, creating elaborate frameworks to alter their temporal experiences.

However, these tactics often have unintended consequences, intensifying prisoners' awareness of temporality. To combat the overwhelming sensation of their lives lacking forward momentum, prisoners devise unique methods to mark the passing of time. These methods, while intended to provide a sense of structure and purpose, can inadvertently exacerbate their temporal consciousness.

Through its rich and nuanced analysis, supported by the diverse voices of numerous prisoners, The Cage of Days offers a profound exploration of how prisons regulate time and the strategies employed by prisoners to resist the temporal regime. This book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complexities of incarceration and the profound impact that time has on the lives of those who are confined within its walls.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231203449