Happy Behind Bars

The random shooting of Anuj Bidve was a heartbreaking tragedy and loss of life. It sent shockwaves through the nation and left us questioning why and what could possible have driven Stapleton to commit such an unprovoked act of cold-blooded murder.

 

The distaste of the act grows evermore bitter when we turn to the nonchalant, non-emotive and chilling comfort that Stapleton has found from being in prison. Yesterday in his hearing he told the jury, “I Love Prison. I watch Coronation Street. I have got a fat canteen. Lock me up for 65 years”.

 

And such views of prison as the cushy alternative to “reality”- a job, bills, rent- is a common misconception that we at TSBC struggle to defy when working with ex-offenders.

 

 

It is almost as tragic and as heartbreaking as the very act of murder itself that the views of Stapleton are not the lone views of a crazed murderer, but expressed amongst many of the young people that we regularly engage with. That there is a genuine belief that they would be better off within the confines of prison watching Coronation Street than actually having to put themselves on the line and do something.

We struggle to lead participants who have recently left prison to regain a sense of aspiration that goes beyond the easy option, the fast fix, but to actually appreciate the possibilities available to them to provide a long-term sustainable future in enterprise. This, however, involves stepping away from the safety net of prison and taking a risk into the often unknown world of employment or self-employment.  Entrepreneurial inspiration has been the key to providing those that we work with at TSBC with something that they can call their own and something that they have a stake in to lose.

 

At only 21 years old, Stapleton is already disillusioned by his own potential and tragically views staying in prison as the best option. With youth unemployment at an all-time high and a criminal record behind him, making finding a job after prison even more untenable- maybe he’s got the right idea?

 

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