Q: Is it illegal to experience what a criminal would experience in jail even if I'm not a Criminal
I want to know what the criminals when they do crime what usually happens when they get arrested and what experience in jail / person is like cuz I've had dreams about it and I have so many questions that I need answered about it but none of the YouTube videos I've watched are able to answer my questions so I'm thinking if I experience it myself and put myself in the prisoner's shoes for a day or so maybe it would clarify what I'm thinking
A:
Yes, it would generally be illegal to purposefully have yourself arrested and detained just to experience what inmates go through. Some reasons why:
- Self-booking and processing into jail requires filing false police reports about committing a crime or violation, which itself can be a criminal offense for filing a false statement.
- Taking up space and resources in the justice system for experiential purposes distracts from real public safety needs and wastes governmental funds.
- You may open yourself up to civil liability or charges for trespassing on correctional property without legal detention status.
- Getting released on your own recognizance once you wish to exit jail is not assured - formal booking could lead to charges filed before discharge.
I would not recommend literally putting yourself in a prisoner's shoes just to answer some personal questions. The legal and physical risks are real and substantial. Instead, consider alternatives like:
- Speaking with formerly incarcerated individuals about their experiences
- Reading first-hand inmate accounts in books, articles, interviews
- Contacting prisons about supervised visitation programs to voluntarily glimpse conditions
- Supporting prisoner advocacy and reform groups in their educative efforts
There are safer, constructive ways to learn about the inmate experience beyond actually landing yourself in jail!
A: This is posted under "International Law." If you added "Criminal Law" as a category, the attorneys in that category might have more insight into this, in terms of being familiar groups and organizations that work with criminal justice issues. Good luck
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