Why prisoner uses white and black stripe uniform?

Why prisoner uses white and black stripe uniform?

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

The origin of the black-and-white-striped prison uniform started in New York in the 1820s.  When Auburn Prism System was introduced demanding prisoners to be silent, walk in lockstep and wore white and black uniform with horizontal stripes that symbolize bars of prison. It made the prisoner easily identifiable and if any one escaped, the public could easily differentiate them from the non-criminals. The white and black striped uniform is quickly recognizable due to contrast of colours which are even visible at night due to white band. Prism authorities thus blessed with an Argus eye and could easily watch their activities; both inside and outside of cells. It lessened the chances of escape and scuffles.

       Striped prison uniforms, commonly used in the 19th century, were abolished in the United States early in the 20th century because people started thinking differently about prisons and punishment. Concept and attitude about prisoners shifted from punishment to concept of rehabilitation with growth of non-violent working class offender. So, striped uniform labeled it as “badge of shame” was replaced with orange or yellow jumpsuits. This uniform made escape more difficult, as it was impossible for an escaped prisoner to avoid identification and recapture apart from erasing the allegation badge of shame.

              In recent years, though, the striped prison uniform has been making a comeback as more prisons are abandoning the orange jumpsuit. Again people are thinking to use uniforms as a measure of punishment and are reverting to stripes and harsh conditions for inmates, including pink underpants for male charges. Reversals to striped uniforms have made a huge comeback for a variety of reasons, such as mistaking innocent jumpsuit workers and some others as inmates. In some countries, false reporting of people in similar clothing has become a problem. That is why; many are switched back to using striped uniforms.