What Happens and What Needs to Change Behind Bars...

“Singing Through Prison Walls” has a vibe that evokes a feeling of hope. I believe that any casual member of the world can gain so much from watching this five minute video. The video does a great job of discussing the injustices of the prison system and especially the failures that it brings to incarcerated women. The prison system is supposed to be a rehabilitation center for all of its inhabitants that provides an outlet for a better life after they are released back into the real world. This definition, however, is not reality. With the lack of freedom given in the incarcerated setting, Naima Shalhoub works to instill hope and positive feelings in the lives of the prison’s members. This feeling of hope pushes them to find success in their life after prison and not feel as hopeless in their endeavors. Shalhoub gives lots of her proceeds and money to organizations that are intended to help these women who have been living a life behind bars. The viewer should take away a somber feeling knowing the life behind bars is not the way that it should be. This jerking feeling should make the viewer want to further research the situation and desire to make a difference with their own time and efforts.

I feel as if Shalhoub has a family member or friend who was incarcerated which made this topic a meaningful one for her. The important message to me is the idea of second chances. Although one messes up or partakes in a bad deed, it should not mean their life should be completely ruined. The prison system should work as a balance of a correction center as well as a rehabilitation center. It should bring someone in, clean their act up, and better them throughout the time of their stay. They should come out a better person on the other end who is hopeful of another just chance at life. Their past cannot be erased, but their future should generate a feasible path to success.