You might want to use words from your list, or from Myles Bolton’s poem, or from other people’s lists, to make your own poem about prison, or to create a short story or essay describing what prison is – and maybe, what it isn’t.
Think about: who describes what prison is. How is an inmate’s description different from or similar to a description written by a guard? by a visiting relative? by someone on a jury?
Myles Bolton uses repetition of the words “prison is a place” to create rhythm in his poem, and also as a device that allows him to make a list of ideas about prison into a thoughtful piece of writing. His perspective, or point of view, reflects his feelings while he is inside.
From your own perspective, complete the sentence, “Prison is a place …” Think about the point of view of a friend or family member who visits, someone you know who hasn’t been inside a prison, or another person in prison. How would they complete the sentence?
Taking it further: what would you want to tell someone who doesn’t know anything about prison? What do you think people outside the prison system should know about it? Write Prison is a Place for teenagers, tax payers, children, teachers, or for another group you think should know more about prisons.
Are there posters or flyers around the learning center where you study that advertise classes? Do prisons have pamphlets that describe programs? Are these advertising tools? You could write a handbook, possibly contrasting the stated rules (the rules the prison has written down) with those which are unwritten (the things you ‘just know’).