MovieChat Forums > In the Name of the Father (1994) Discussion > Resort prison

Resort prison

posted 16 years ago by silverbullets
10 replies | jump to latest

I found it amazing that the prison portrayed was supposed to basically be the equivalent of a a max-security prison--the place they put the "worst" criminals. It looked like a Paris Hilton prison...made American minimum-security prisons look like resort. They had lighters, they walked around as if they were in barracks or a dorm, they had furniture, they got metal utensils, their outfits were all pressed-n-clean, they got personalized hair cuts (even getting to keep dreads) and were allowed to wear hats, they had fluffy pillows, they got to hang out in big groups in one cell and have time to get high, they got to watch movies in big groups with minimal guard presence, they clearly got fed enough...

Just curious...was this inaccurate for this type of prison (during the time period)? If not, have prisons in the UK become a little harsher since then, or is this the norm?

One other question--considering the judge's rhetoric about an act of terrorism deserving hanging for treason--why was Joe not given a harsher sentence after confessing to and being convicted of so many different bombings? One would think that an IRA heavyweight being convicted would attract more public demands (as did the convictions of the four).

[–] rice-1 16 years ago

UK prisons are no where near as severe as american max security.

The Maze prison in NI housed the majority of IRA and Loyalist terrorists and it contained a gymnasium, higher education facilites and allowed for free association in the H blocks - in no way Gitmo Bay.

[–] Jerodast 16 years ago

Gitmo bay is NOT your typical American prison, which I think was the question. But real American prisons for "typical" US hard criminals are still much harsher places than what was shown in the movie.

[–] blktoptrvl 15 years ago

On a side note... was this the same prison - or stage - used in "The Italian Job"; I mean the good version.

[–] TheRealDougal 15 years ago

It was filmed at Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) in southwest Dublin, which is today a museum on the famine and the fight for independence. It's where most of the Easter Rebellion leaders were executed in 1916. It's got a great historic feel to it, especially the iconic metal staircase.

[–] Navrag 13 years ago

Yes.. Kilmainham was used for "The Italian Job". It is used a lot as it is an unused prison that is maintained well, and the newest part of it is a classic Victoran era prison

"Weaseling out of things is what separates us from the animals... Except the Weasel" - H. Simpson

[–] jjmensch 13 years ago

Anyone who has seen Goodfellas, the prison there was kind of similar and that was in America.

But anyway, it still wasn't like it was pleasant. You're still not allowed to leave the confines of that place, even when your father is dying. You're still told when to go to the bathroom, when to eat, what to eat, when to sleep. You spend every day doing the same thing and even if every day you're spending toking it up with the Rasta-men, the monotony and confinement tends to dull the mind and spirit. Imagine spending the one moment a day that you get to spend outside, and all you can do is walk around in circles because there is nothing else? Ya, they got a couple creature comforts in that specific prison---but that changed when the dude got lit on fire, though, and I believe that it's mentioned in the movie when they talk about the new Warden arriving.

Most importantly, you're taken away from the people that you love. That's prison.

[–] Milkdoesabodygood 9 years ago

And it looked serious enough that they had bars on the roof of the staircase and over hangs of the prison it looked serious enough for me.

Spoiler alert for them spoil sports out there! Y'all like spoiled milk, stop crying over it!

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] info-655-196140 8 years ago

A friend of mine spent time in prison in the UK, not by any means a high security prison, he was a low risk inmate.

He had the key to his own cell, all prisoners had their own keys and could lock their own doors, he had TV and video games, pool table, gym, library and everything else he could access at any time except after hours.

Inmates can hang out in groups anywhere.

Not sure if this is the norm in the UK.

[–] Poopsey1 (977) 4 years ago

There has been a lot of reform since the 19th century, plus with people like the late great prison campaigner Lord Longford, it was at that time a strongly held belief that taking away a prisoner's freedom is punishment enough. British prisons are harsh but bearable. A good screw will treat you with respect, take for example the old screw that shows comfort and humanity to Conlon as he loses his mind. Sadly nowadays prisons are a breeding ground for crime and Islamic recruitment. There are a lot fewer screws and a lot more violence. Lockdowns are far more commonplace these days with prisoners being locked up 23 hours a day, which of course is going to do nothing but cause resentment leading to more violence. why America gives out such long sentences is beyond me.