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: 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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
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!
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
