Early Black FridayAmazon USEarly Black Friday picks are worth checking nowAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanEarly Black FridayAmazon USDo not wait for carts to sell out - compare earlyAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to the story
DocumentaryTubeTRUE STORIES, ON SCREEN.
  1. DocumentaryTube
  2. The Screening Room
  3. People

People

Behind Bars: Voluntary imprisonment As A Stress Free Zone | Free Doc Bites

Behind Bars: Voluntary imprisonment As A Stress Free Zone | Free Doc Bites
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

In Korea, an unorthodox form of stress relief has become a growing phenomenon: voluntary imprisonment. People from all walks of life, from students to office workers, are choosing to take part in this unique practice as a coping mechanism for their anxiety and depression.

The concept of voluntary prison time was popularized by a documentary released in 2019 called “Prison Time”. It follows the story of one man who voluntarily entered a Korean prison for three months. He says he does it for two reasons: to recharge his mental batteries and to understand what it’s like to be incarcerated.

The film garnered both national and international attention, prompting many viewers to ask themselves: Could voluntarily going to prison actually be beneficial? The answer is yes—for some people at least. One professor who watched the documentary said that “voluntary imprisonment can provide an escape from the everyday pressures of life and help individuals find new perspectives on their lives”.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

This notion of voluntary confinement has a long history in Korea, stretching back centuries when monks would voluntarily enter into meditation retreats as part of their spiritual journey. Even today, in North Korea it is not uncommon for citizens to use prison time as a reprieve from the external pressures they face outside its walls.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief [DVD]
Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief [DVD]
Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief; Product type: ABIS DVD; Brand: Filmrise
$12.99
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 4
Also popular on Amazon
Also popular on Amazon
Popular on Amazon
Sale
Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief [DVD]
  • Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief
  • Product type: ABIS DVD
  • Brand: Filmrise
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply. Prices as of November 11, 2026 9:44 am GMT+0530.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

About the author

How DocumentaryTube works.

More in People

Say something about this film

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.