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: Paperback / softback
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 combination of Carceral's field notes, in-depth interviews with fellow inmates, and convict memoirs, this captivating work 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 explore how the rhythm and routines of prison, along with the strict control exerted by authorities, distort convicts' perception of time. Obsessed with regaining a sense of temporal autonomy, prisoners develop intricate strategies to manipulate their perception of time, often resorting to elaborate rituals and routines to mark the passing of days. However, these tactics can have unintended consequences, intensifying their awareness of temporality and exacerbating the sense of disorientation and frustration that accompanies their imprisonment.

The Cage of Days offers a rich and nuanced analysis that is grounded in the diverse voices of a multitude of prisoners. Through their narratives, Carceral and Flaherty shed light on the ways in which prisons regulate time and the strategies employed by prisoners to resist the temporal regime. The book provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of time, imprisonment, and the human experience, challenging readers to consider the broader implications of these phenomena on society and the individuals caught within the system.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 152 x 309 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231203456