Power In Foucault's On The Penitentiary System

Power is a fundamental characteristic of any system which governs a group of people such as prisons. Incarceration systems require a strict flow of power to run functionally and carry out their duties to control their inhabitants. Because the understanding of our prison systems is an important one, it is necessary to carefully examine the power structure within these settings.

In his text “Panopticism”, Foucault claims that power rests within the central operating organization of a governmental structure. However, this is a broad term, as it neglects the individual’s contribution to the success of an efficient system. Power is perceived to be a looming force over its subjects; however, this impending force actually relays individuals power,

By focusing on the minister as a mechanism of power, it is evident that the minister serves not only exert power over the individuals but also lend the individuals of interest power. This would not have been seen without Foucault’s careful reading. This view, in turn, provides a new insight into Foucault’s theory—a power system is not successful without the will of its subjects to behave. In “Panopticism”, Foucault expresses his view that power lies within the operating system, thus, resulting in an efficient system. He analyzes this by utilizing the Panopticon structure as the leading model for his argument. In the panopticon model, all cells face the source of a strong, bright light located in the center of the building; this blinding light makes it

This methodology of the prison system highlights the role of the minister and promotes him as a power figure. The minister comes to visit prisoners once a week to educate the prisoners on religious beliefs. Prisoners in this system are given no physical outlet for stress and have limited access to sources of relief, so the minister serves as “the only friend who is left to them” (Tocqueville and Beaumont 54). They naturally confide in the visitor about their problems, concerns, and feelings because of the limited communication opportunities they are given; they release their sentiments to the single person that will listen to them. This meeting fosters trust and mutual communication, which is integral in establishing a power structure between the minister and the inmates. The interaction between the two forces may be overlooked as simply a part of a casual weekly routine for the prisoners; however, understanding Foucault’s view on power and its forms hints to dig deeper. The minister is not merely a figure of religion, a title that is misleading as it takes away the emphasis of holding power; he is the “light” of the panopticon. He asserts a form of power on his subjects who are those who choose to receive education from the minister. Because the minister is one of the few resources in the prison that keeps the