JordanDonahue

AssignmentOne

BackgroundInformation:
ThisNetflixOriginaltelevisionshowisbasedaroundthemaincharacterPiperChapman.Sheis
amiddleclasswhiteNewYorker,whohasbeenconvictedofsmugglingdrugmoneyforherex
girlfriend.Sheissentencedtoserve15monthsinprison.Piperskind,openmindedpersonality
isabusedbyherfellowprisonmatesduringtheearlierpartofhersentence.Shebeginsoffbeing
atargetforotherprisonersuntilshelearnshowtomaneuveranduseherintelligencetoher
advantage.Piperbeginstheshowwithaboyfriend,wholatercheatsonherwithherbestfriend
duringherincarceration.Priortodiscoveringherboyfriendsscandal,sheisjoinedinjailbyher
exgirlfriendwhoisresponsibleforherbeingconvicted.

MinorCharactersBackground:
Red(inmate)shewastheheadofthekitchenuntilshewasreplacedbyMendoza,who
becomesherrival.SheisPiperscellmateandalsohasacrushonHeely.
Healy(counselor)heisthecounselorfortheprison.HebeginsofflookingoutforPiperthenas
theshowprogressesheseemstohaveitoutforPiperbyallowinganotherprisontoattemptto
killher.HealsohasacrushonRed.
Taystee(inmate)sheisainmatewhowasreleasedfromprison,butlaterreturnedbecauseof
herlackofskillstoadapttotheoutsideworld.However,sheiswellspoken.Sheisbestfriends
withPoussey.
Poussey(inmate)sheisTaysteesbestfriend.Despite,herstrongfriendshipwithher,she
desiresmuchmore.ShealwayslooksoutforTaystee.
JoeCaputo(assistantwarden)heisaharshmanattimes.Hewaspromotedtoassistant
wardenaftergettingtheformerpositionholderfired.Hehaslimitedpowerintheprison.
Mendoza(inmate)sheisthenewheadofthekitchen.Sherunsthekitchenwithhergroupof
Latinoinmates.HerrivalisRed.
Ruiz(inmate)sheisaworkerinthekitchen,whogavebirthtoachildwhileinprison.
Pearson(HeadofHumanActivities)hebasicallyisthewardenoftheprison.Heisnotqualified
forthejobandhedoesnthavetheprisonsbestinterestinmind.
Gonzales(inmate)sheisaworkerintheprison,whoisambitiousdespitenotbeing
dullminded.ShetakesonPipesintelligenceandloses.
Norma(inmate)sheisamute,whoprisonbelievehavespiritualpowers.
Rogers(counselor)sheisthenewcounselorthatalltheinmatesseemtopreferoverHealy.
ThisiswhyHealydoesntlikeherandisouttogether.

Artifacts:
Pipersintelligence:Piperiswiserthantheaveragecriminal.Theotherinmatesknow
thisaswell.InearlierepisodesinmateshasPiperlookovertheircourtcaseandwrite
letters,becauseofherintelligence.Shesalwayscomingupwithnewideasthattendto
gettheprisonralliedup.

Normassilence:Thisplaysafactor,becauseNormacannotdefendherself.Hersilence
leadsinmatestobelievesheisspecialandinnocent.Afterafewcoincidencesinmates
arestarttobelievethatNormaperformsmiraclesandbegintoalmostworshipher.

Observation#1:
2:00Taysteeentersthelibrarycarryingcleaningsuppliestoseeherfriend,Pousseygoofing
around.Taysteebeginstocomplainabouthowshehatesworkingmaintenanceintheprison.
Taysteethenmentionsanewjobopportunitythatpaysadollarandhour.Pousseytellsherthat
sheprefersherjobinthelibraryandthatthenewjobisprobablyalotworsethanTaystees
maintenancejob.
5:00PrisonofficersapproachJoeCaputoaboutthesecurityoftheirjobs,becausetherehad
beenrumorscirculatingabouttheprisonshuttingdown.Caputarespondstotheirquestionsand
concernsbysayingthattheyshouldbegratefulthattheystillcurrentlyhavepayingjobs.
8:00Rumorsaboutthenewjobopportunitiesmaketheirwaytothekitchencrew.Mendoza
tellshercrewthattheycanbarelyhandlethejobstheyhavenowandthattheyshouldntapply.
Shealsogoesontotellthemthattheyshouldbegratefulthattheyarentscrubbingtoiletslike
otherprisoners.ThekitchencrewcontinuedtodiscussthenewjobafterMendozaleftandit
leadstoaheateddiscussionbetweenGonzalesandRuizaboutlazinessandalmostresultsina
fight.Mendozabreaksitup.
11:00FLASHBACK:GonzalesisonFaceTimewithherboyfriendaskinghimtoletherget
somedrugs,soshecansellthematschoolandmakeherownmoney.Hermotherinterrupts
herconversationbytellinghertosewupadresswhileshecooksdinner.
14:00PiperasksRedaboutthenewjobopportunityandtellsherthatshewouldntmind
havinganewjob.Then,RedasksPiperhowshecansoftenherimage.
17:00CaputoapproachesPearsonandaskhimquestionsregardingameetingaboutjob
securityandthenewjobintheprison.PearsonsomewhatblowsoffwhatCaputoissayingto
him.
20:00RedapproachesOfficerHealywithhernewsofterlookandhenoticesand
complimentsher.TheyareinterruptedbyOfficerRogerswhoislookingforsomeonetohelpher
withthecordsinherofficeandHealyrefusestonamesomeonewhocanhelpher.Redgives
herthenames,despiteOfficerHealynotwantingtohelpher.AfterOfficerRogersdeparture,
RedasksOfficerHealywhyhedoesntcareforhisnewcoworker.Herepliesthatsheistoo
perky.Redthencontinuestoflirtwithhimbyhelpinghimbuttonhisshirtcorrectly.
23:00MendozalecturesandpunishesNormaforstealingeggsfromthekitchentoanoint
peopleintheprison.ShegoesontotellherthatthatisapartofherLatinocultureandthat
Normashouldnotdoit.
26:00GonzalesistalkingtoRamosaboutbeatingoutTaysteeforthenewjobopportunity.
triestoconvincehernottogoforthejob,becausethatwoulddisruptthechemistrythatthey
havealreadydevelopedinthekitchen.
29:00FLASHBACK:Gonzalesisexplainingtooneofherhighschoolfriendshowsheisselling
drugstobuynewstuffforherself.Agroupofguysapproachhercomplimentingheronthe

qualityofherdrugs.Theythentellhertosupplytheirfriendwiththedrugsforthefirsttime.
Oncetheyleftsheexplainstoherfriendthatsheissellingfakedrugsandnottherealdeal.

Observation2:
OrangeIsTheNewBlack
Season3,Episode7

2:00Normawakesupanddoeshernormalroutine.Sheisthenapproachesbyaninmate
askingNormaforaquickblessing.Normagrantedhertheblessingarmsqueezething.Norma
isthenaskedbyanotherinmateforablessingwhilesheisusingtherestroom.Shepretendsto
blessherandtheinmateispleasedwiththegesture.
5:00Theguardsarewatchingvideosonsexualharassmentintheprison.Warningtheguards
tonotshowtheinmatesaffection.Caputofindsoutthatoneoftheguardshehiredwas21.He
continuestoshowhowunfamiliarhewaswithhiscoworkers.CaputoandPearsonare
discussinginappropriatesexualbehaviorsthattheyhavewitnessed.
7:00Piperandotherinmatesaresewingpanties,whichisapartofthenewjobopportunity.
Theladiescomeacrosstheideaofsellingtheirpantiesafterbeingworetopeoplewhohave
weirdfetishes.Theladiesjokeaboutthesubjectbeforebeinginterruptedbyaguardwho
threatenedtodockpay.Meanwhile,Pipersneaksapairofpantiesinherpocket.
9:00MendozawelcomesRedtothekitchenwithastrictwarning.ShewarnedRedthatshe
wouldbekeepingacloseeyeonher.Redacceptsthewarning.RedreuniteswithNorma,who
sheusetorunthekitchenwith.
11:00FLASHBACK.Normainterestedintransformationandgoestomeeting.ShemeetsGuru
Matt,whorunstheclass.HeaskNormaherstoryandshestutteredterribly.HetellsNormathat
sheneverhastospeakwithhim.
13:00RogersistalkingtoCrazyEyesaboutaplayshewantstoperformfortheinmates.She
complainsthattheplayistoosexual,despiteitscreativity.SheregretsCrazyEyesokay.Crazy
Eyesstormsouttheofficefrustratedwithherself.Taysteeencouragesherandsaysshewill
readtheplay.
15:00Piperisgivenahardtimeaboutbeinganupperclasscitizenbeforegoingtoprison.This
isbroughtupbyDayamentioningsomefuturetellinggamecalledMASH(Mansion,Apartment,
Shack,andHouse.)
17:00Piperisplayingthegamewithinmatesinthecafeteria.Heretheyalsodiscusshow
Morellohasbeenusinglonelymentogetmoneyonherbooks.Theycomeinandvisitherfrom
timetotime.Shetellstheladiesthatshetakesadvantagetoheropportunities.Thissparked
Pipertoformanideaonhowsheisgoingtomanagesellingthepanties.
20:00PiperapproachesAlexwiththeideaofsellingpantiesthatshemadefromtheleftover
materials.Shetellsherhowsheplanstogetotherinmatesinvolvedintheprocessofmaking
them.Shealsotellsherhowsheplanstosellthemtopeoplewithfetishes.
22:00Caputoisshowingguardshowtotakedowninmatesduringaltercations.He
demonstratestechniquesonaguard.HeisinterruptedbyPearson,whoaskstospeakwithhim

privately.PearsontellsCaputohowhefeelslikeheiswastingtimeshowingtheguardsthis
karate.Caputopleadshiscase,butPearsondismissesit.
24:00Normaisapproachedbyinmateswhowantshertoblessthemandotherinmates.Red
isconfusedonwhytheywouldwantNormatodosuch.Sheisunawareaboutthebuzzof
Normablessinginmates.RedrunsofftheinmatesanddeniesthatNormahaspowers.Red
continuestobossaroundNormalikesheusetobackwhensheranthekitchen.
27:00FLASHBACK.NormaisgettingmarriedtoGuruMatt.Hetellsheraheartfeltvow.Then,
hecontinuestoceremonybymarryinganotheroneofhisfollowersfromhisgroup.Norma
appearsjealousasheproceedstomarrytheotherwomanwiththesameexactvows.

Observation3:
Season3,Episode8

2:00Thekitchencrewisforcedtoservefoodfromabag.Redisveryunpleasedwiththis
becauseshetakeprideinmakingfoodfortheprison.Alloftheinmatesaredisappointedinthe
newfoodandcomplainamongsteachother.TheBlackinmatesaretakingadvantageofthe
Jewishmealsandtheotherinmatesarestartingtonotice.
4:00PousseytellshercrewofBlackinmateshowNormablessedherthroughhertouch.Her
crewtellsherthatNormaisnotJesusandthatsheisgivingreligionabadname,meanwhile
theyarepretendingtobeJewishforabettermeal.
5:00Alexwalksinhercubicletofindanotherinmateintherecheckingoutherstuff.Alexhas
beensuspiciousaboutthiswomanandthisonlystrengthensparanoia.
7:00FLASHBACK.Alexisattendinghermothersfuneral.Sheiscryingandheartbroken.After
thefuneral,sheisapproachedbyaguywhoisinvolvedinthedrugcartel.Sheistellinghimhow
shewasdisappointedthatonlyahandfulofpeopleattendedthefuneral.Shewasalsohighly
upsetthatPiperdidntmanagetoattend.HetellshertoforgetaboutPiperandtojoinhimonhis
flighttoParis.Hethenoffershercocaine.
10:00Thereisnonoodlesincommissaryforotherinmates,becausePiperboughtthemall.
ShetellsAlexhowsheplanstousetonoodlestopaytheotherinmatesformakingthepanties.
AlexthentellsPiperhowshecaughtthatinmatesneakingaroundinhercubicle.Piperchanges
thesubjectbacktoherplanwithsellingthepanties.
13:00FLASHBACK.Alexisinaclubwiththeguyfromthedrugcartel.Alexconvinceshimto
takeapill.Theyareextremelyhighanddancingintheclub.Theguyhastoleavetheclubafter
seeinghehas17missed.HefindsoutthatMissyhasbeenarrested.
15:00CrazyEyesisbeingharassedbyotherinmatesbeggingforthenextchapteronher
book.TheinmatesbegintodebatethestorylineofCrazyEyesbook.Shegetsfrustratedand
tellsthemtoleaveheralonesoshecanfinishwritingthenextchapter.
18:00Piperapproachesinmateswithherplanonhelpingherbywearingpantiesforprofit.She
offersthemthenoodlesthatsheboughtfromcommissary.Theinmatesarentbuyingheridea
atfirst.Piperthengivesadramaticmotivationalspeechonwhytheyshouldjoinher.They
decidetoaccept.
23:00SosovisitsHealyonherloneliness.Shetellshimhowshedoesnthaveanyfriendsand
howsheisbecomingdepressed.Sherequesttochangecounselors,butHealyclaimshe

cannotdothat.HealyjustdoeswannalosehertoRogers.Hetellsherthathecanprescribeher
antidepressionpillsinsteadofchanginghercounselor.
26:00Dayaisapproachedbyhermotherthatpressureshertogivingupherbabythatsheis
preparingtogivebirthto.ShetellsherthatDayashouldn'twantherbabytogrowuppoor,so
givingupthechildistherightmove.

Interview:

HowhasPiperspersonalityandattitudechangedfromthefirstseasontothethird?
Piperhasstartedusingherbraininreplacethemuscleshelacks,soshedoesntgettaken
advantageoflikeshedidinSeasonOne.InSeasonOne,Piperwasdoingfavorsforpeople,who
clearlywereusingherandtakingherkindnessforweakness.BythetimeSeasonThreeswings
around,Piperhasalotmorerespectintheprisonthanshestartedoffwith.Thisisbecauseofher
fightwithDoggettandherinvolvementwiththepantyfetishbusinessshebeganrunning.Piper
showshowcoldbloodedshecouldbewhenshekickFlacaoutofthebusiness.Thatwaspretty
gangsta.Piperwentfrombeingthetargettotheshooter.
Doyouthinkthistvshowportraysawomansprisoninarealisticmanner?
Notatall.Theshowisjustforentertainmentpurposes.Prisonersdonthavenearlyas
muchfreedomasthetelevisionshowdisplays.Myauntspentalittletimeinprisonandshe
absolutelyhatesthisshow,becauseoftheinaccuracy.Theprisonersgetawaywithsomuchthat
itisridiculous.FromsmugglingpantiesandcreatingabusinesstoMorellosneakingofftoher
boyfriendshousetoDayagettingpregnantbyBennett.Imprettysurereallifeprisonersare
monitoredalittleheavilythanonthetelevisionshow.
Basedonthetelevisionshow,whatdoyouthinkshouldbedoneregardingmealsin
prison?
Accordingtotheshow,themealstheprisonerseatareterribleandalmostinhuman.
However,thisisaccuratetohowmealsreallyareinprison.Ibelievethatprisonmealsshouldbe
madewithrealingredientsratherthancomingoutofabag.Despitethembeingprisoners,they
arepeopletoo.Imnotsayingthattheyshouldbeeating5Starmeals,buttheirfoodshouldbea
littleenjoyableandreal.
Whatisyourviewonprisonerspayfortheirlabor?
Ithinkitsgoodthatprisonerscanworkformoneywhileinprison.Thiswaytheycan
dosomethingproductiveandworktowardssomething.Eventhoughtheydontmakemuch,itis
stillgoodthattheycanmakealittleincome.Therefore,theycouldgivetothosetheyareisolated
fromontheoutside.Wagesprobablyshouldberaisedalittlebit,butthenagainImnotsure
becauseafteralltheyarestillprisoners.

Analyze

Inthisfiguredworld,theirarespecificrulesandconventions.Therearecertainthingsinthis
prisonthatisfrownedupon.Oneofthembeingthattheyarenottomisuseanyofthefabricsthey

usetosewthepantiesatPipersnewjob.WithPiperbeingthemenacesheis,shefindsaway
aroundthis.Shetakestheleftoverscrapsthatweregoingtobethrownawayandmakesnew
pantiesandhaveinmateswearthemforherpantyfetishbusiness.InPipersmindwhatsheis
doingisntthatbad,becausesheisnttechnicallystealing.Sheisjustmakingthemostoutofthe
resourcesshehasbeengranted.However,shecouldgetinserioustroublefordoingso,
especiallyifCaputowastofindoutthatPiperishavingoneofthenewguardssmugglethe
pantiesouttheprisonforher.Also,inthisfiguredworlditisinappropriateforguardstohave
relationshipsandintercoursewithinmates.ThisisviolatedwithBennettandDaya.Thetwofall
madlyinlovewithoneanother,beforeBennettendsupgettingherpregnant.Thisplaysahuge
factorinthestoryline,becauseifBennettwastobereportedasthefatherofDayasbabyhe
wouldbearrestedandchargedasasexoffender.Thisisalsoviolatedwithoneofthenewguards
thatendsuprapingDoggett.Theironyisthatthepeoplewhoarecontainingthesecriminalsin
thisprisonaretechnicallycriminalsaswell.

Chart:

Prisonersadaptingtolivesafterprison
TedTalks,LessonsinBusinessFromPrison
https://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_smith_lessons_in_business_from_prison

FundingofPrisonsvs.FundingofEducation
ERIC,NewYorkStateofMind?HigherEducationvs.PrisonFundinginthe
EmpireState
http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED429509

RealPrisonvs.TVPrison
Sage,MythsandRealitiesinPrisonSiting
http://cad.sagepub.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/content/38/1/70.short

Prisonshapingapersonscharacterforthebetter
TedTalks,Howprisonscanhelpinmateslivemeaningfullives
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pacholke_how_prisons_can_help_inmates_live_m
eaningful_lives

Propose:
Iaminterestedinresearchinghowprisonersadapttolifeafterprison,becausesomeinmates
havebeenlockedupsomuchtothepointtheyareaccustomtoprison.Thiswasthecasefor
Taystee.Shewasreleasedfromprisonandreturnedshortlyafter.Also,Iwouldliketoknowthe
differencebetweenprisonontelevisioncomparedtoactualprison.IbelievethatonOrangeIs
TheNewBlackthatinmateshavewaymorefreedomthanreallifeinmates.Underanumberof

occasionsprisonershavebeenabletosneakbeyondtheprisonyard.Furtherresearchwould
showmejusthowmuchthisisexaggerated.