Killing Time in Prison: Purposeful Activities and Spare Time in Lithuanian Correctional Facilities

How do prisoners in Lithuania spend their time? This article provides evidence from a unique survey of prisoners. The article shows that the rationale for meaningful prison work and education has shifted away from the Soviet emphasis on productivity and correction of deviance towards a logic of vocational training and self-development. Yet, data from the survey suggest that while most Lithuanian prisoners engage in some sort of work or educational program, these programs often do not achieve the aims they set for themselves. Prisoners have limited choices on offer, see little ultimate purpose to the activities, and often simply make do. Moreover, many prisoners opt out completely, finding pastimes in walking in the open space and collective living of Lithuania’s colony-style correctional facilities. Furthermore, outside of work and education, leisure time is still largely defined by the prisoners themselves, leading to inequities in the distribution of recreational resources due to informal power hierarchies.