Prison continues, on those who are entrusted to it, a work begun elsewhere, which the whole of society pursues on each individual through innumerable mechanisms of discipline.

Summary

This quote highlights the idea that prison is not just a physical space, but a continuation of a process that society as a whole engages in to exert control and discipline on individuals. It suggests that prisons are not isolated institutions, but rather part of a broader system of social mechanisms that seek to regulate and shape behavior. In this view, prisons are seen as an extension of societal norms and practices, aiming to maintain order and control over those who are placed within them.

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