LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Huh?
After finishing all the investigations, Si-hyun pulled out a piece of notepaper while on the subway heading home.
As a correctional officer, he had to jot down the details of the routine calls and the complaints from inmates, often needing to have a writing instrument and notepad handy as a habit.
– Concept of an inmate?
He wrote that down and paused to organize his thoughts.
So far, inmates confined in conventional correctional facilities fit the definition of “inmate” as indicated in the title.
Having experienced this firsthand, there was no room for doubt.
Then how about—
– Inmates held in that other world?
That was uncharted territory for him, merely a conjecture.
However, he had a strong suspicion that this category also conformed to the concept of an inmate. Someone detained in a correctional facility for committing a crime—essentially the classic definition of an inmate.
Si-hyun then noted down the facts he learned that day.
– Criminal, murderer = inmate, death row inmate (X)
Bayan, whom he encountered today, was indeed a horrendous criminal and a murderer.
However, he wasn’t an inmate nor a death row inmate.
That must mean he had never been locked up in a prison over there.
The question continued to linger.
What if the criminal had finished their sentence and was released?
Would the same apply to every human being who had once been incarcerated, even if just for a moment?
It was an essential question, but now he had no answers.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Si-hyun’s expression brightened as a thought crossed his mind.
There was a way to conduct an experiment in this world.
He could visit released inmates.
Normally, a correctional officer seeking out a released inmate was one of the greatest inconveniences imaginable. Both parties generally preferred to avoid any awkward encounters.
Inmates wanted the affairs of the prison to end there once they were out.
They absolutely despised the idea of getting involved with that world again after leaving society.
Thus, it was common for inmates to exchange lies about their circumstances with one another without a second thought.
‘This would be a complete hassle…’
Si-hyun scratched his head.
If he asked an inmate under his supervision about their residence, they would likely answer honestly.
If he set his mind to it, this experiment could definitely be feasible.
Yet, he hesitated, feeling it wasn’t exactly polite.
He had committed himself to being a correctional officer who kept his principles intact, and this felt a little off.
After a moment of contemplation, Si-hyun seemed to make a decision and nodded to himself.
Just once.
◈ ◈ ◈
Upon returning home, he simply boiled some instant noodles lying around the house for dinner. Preparing side dishes was too burdensome.
As soon as he finished his meal, he brushed his teeth and did a quick wash-up before flopping onto the bed.
Physically and mentally exhausted, all he wanted was to collapse and sleep.
Yet, lying there made it impossible to fall asleep.
So, he picked up his smartphone.
Scrolling through past posts on his favorite community, M-Park, he stumbled upon an eye-catching thread.
– Title: [Info] A documentary on correctional facilities is being filmed.
– Contents: My acquaintance works at NBS, and they’re filming a documentary at 00 Correctional Facility. Personally, I don’t get why they even do this stuff.
It was just a regular information post, so there weren’t many comments.
However, it was enough to feel the public’s gaze toward inmates to some extent.
– Why show the documentary about those criminals locked up in prison? The documentary on the youth correctional facility last time gave me chills. They killed two innocent people and claimed they had changed through their phony interviews, while showing themselves eating well and getting certifications, making it tough for victim families to sleep after seeing it.
– Right? What’s the point of these documentaries? Is it to elicit pity?
– It’s wasted taxpayer money.
“Hmm.”
Si-hyun raised an eyebrow reading the comments, as they were pretty much what he expected.
Three years ago, a broadcast about a youth correctional facility had caused quite a stir online.
One inmate’s interview, who had received a 15-year sentence, was particularly troublesome.
The inmate spoke with a bright expression about wanting to go out into society and date.
Although he used a pseudonym and had his face blurred, his age came through, and the 15-year sentence was the maximum a minor could receive. Such a sentence couldn’t be obtained without committing a crime like murder.
After seeing the interview segment, furious internet users diligently searched for the case, eventually exposing the true identity and details of that inmate online.
He was a 16-year-old boy who had intruded to steal and horrifyingly murdered the wealthy occupants present.
The audacity of someone who had inflicted an irreparable wound on the victim’s family calmly conducting interviews incited public outrage.
Comments across various communities exploded in response.
– Death penalty is the answer. People like that never change.
– They shouldn’t be allowed to appear on shows; they should have been erased from existence.
– We need to stop glorifying these criminals in broadcasts.
– I can’t feel a shred of pity for someone like that. All I can think about is how unfortunate the victims, families, and those around them must feel.
– Still, we should give them a chance. Isn’t this a nation based on the rule of law?
– Rehabilitation and education are a must, but I hope they won’t film it anymore.
– Those human rights advocates should know that no matter how you wash a rag, it still remains a rag. People like that will never rehabilitate and will end up back in adult prisons for more crimes.
Si-hyun somewhat understood the sentiments voiced by the internet users.
Murder was the worst crime, irreversible no matter what.
However, airing only the offender’s standpoint would naturally enrage the public.
Personally, Si-hyun also agreed that there was no necessity to film such documentaries.
From a correctional officer’s perspective, this could raise unnecessary resentment toward inmates.
Seeing that those who committed crimes lived somewhat comfortably in prison could make society feel unjust and angry.
‘But where is this 00 Correctional Facility?’
He hoped it wasn’t Daehan Correctional Facility.
Filming was just a hassle.
◈ ◈ ◈
On Monday morning, Si-hyun was waiting in the lounge for a routine check.
Every morning, before staff entered the ward, attendance was taken, and the warden or the security department head conveyed directives and necessary announcements.
Normally, a supervisor would conduct this, but today it was a deputy chief who walked in.
“Okay, let’s start with attendance check.”
The deputy chief verified the names present.
Once attendance was completed, the directives were delivered.
“The warden’s instructions are for all staff to never drive under the influence. Yesterday, one of our staff was caught for drunk driving. Some employees may have heard about it, right? That staff member will be facing discipline and will be shipped out to Chuncheon. Everyone else needs to be cautious as well.”
“Understood.”
The staff replied.
What era is it that public servants are still driving under the influence? He heard someone mutter under their breath.
“The instruction from the security head is that there must absolutely not be any unauthorized correctional uniforms with the inmates. Please confirm that only the permitted number of uniforms are with the inmates. If there’s any surplus, collect them all and store them in the warehouse. If not done, you’ll hear about it.”
“Yes.”
Man, what a hassle. That was muttered so quietly that the deputy chief in front of him didn’t catch it.
“And lastly, has anyone heard of NBS ‘Documentary 72 Hours?'”
‘Documentary 72 Hours’ is exactly what it sounds like—a documentary filmed over a span of 72 hours in one location.
The deputy chief continued.
“NBS recently requested filming cooperation from the corrections headquarters, and the headquarters viewed it as a great opportunity to showcase the life of correctional officers and the environment of a correctional facility, deciding to grant permission. The location will be our Daehan Correctional Facility.”
‘Ugh…’
Si-hyun clicked his tongue.
He was hoping he would be spared from tedious tasks.
“Filming will cover everything, but the ward will mostly be shot in 5th Floor, Unit 2. After all, it’s the model unit where viewers can see a prison environment that maintains proper inmate order in a positive light.”
… What? 5th Floor, Unit 2?
That was Si-hyun’s ward.
‘Huh?’
Then suddenly, an alert popped up.
[Poh-ahim feels pity for your low rank and reputation. He might feel much better every time you gain a higher position and reputation, possibly rewarding you unexpectedly.] [Current Status] Fame: Thoroughly Unknown Position: 9th Grade Correctional Officer