The Architecture of Deindividuation: Stanford Prison Experiment to Hammenhiel Prison

 

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge, M.D. PhD 

After reading my 2014 article titled "The Untold Story of Hammenheil Prison," Professor Philip Zimbardo told me that the actual experiences within Hammenheil Prison reflected the conclusions drawn from the famous Stanford Prison Experiment carried out in 1971.

The Stanford Prison Experiment deeply transformed our understanding of human behaviour in extreme situations. Professor Philip Zimbardo's conclusions from the experiment highlighted that social contexts and systemic environments play a crucial role in shaping behaviour, often eclipsing an individual's inherent morals, values, and personality traits.

The Stanford prison experiment indicates psychological transformations that individuals undergo when placed in positions of authority, such as prison guards.  The guards, who were given significant power and minimal oversight, quickly adopted authoritarian behaviours, exhibiting cruelty and aggression towards the prisoners. This shift in behaviour can be attributed to several factors, including the dehumanization of the prisoners, the anonymity provided by uniforms and the lack of accountability in their actions. As the experiment progressed, the guards became increasingly sadistic, demonstrating how the possession of authority can lead to the erosion of empathy and moral judgment. This phenomenon illustrates the potential for ordinary individuals to engage in abusive behavior when they are granted power.

The insights gained from the Stanford Prison Experiment significantly enhance our comprehension of the operational dynamics within the Hammenheil Prison in Sri Lanka. Originally constructed by the Dutch in the late 17th century, the Hammenheil fortress featured nine expansive dungeons that were initially intended for the storage of gunpowder; however, these spaces were subsequently repurposed into prison cells.

  

Hammenheil Prison

In 1971, an insurrection led by a rebel faction known as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) erupted against the democratically elected government of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. This group primarily comprised unemployed youth from the Sinhalese community, who were driven by socio-political grievances. The government crushed the uprising, resulting in the capture of a substantial number of young insurgents. In response to the escalating situation, authorities decided to transfer hundreds of the most hardened members of this rebel group to the Jaffna Hammenheil Prison Island.

Hammenheil Prison was inadequate for human habitation, characterized by a series of deplorable conditions that rendered it unfit for any individual. Situated on a small island, the facility lacked a reliable source of fresh water, which is essential for basic survival. Furthermore, the absence of a waste management system resulted in dungeons that were overwhelmed with urine and excrement, creating an environment rife with unsanitary conditions.

As a consequence, many inmates suffered from various skin diseases, exacerbated by the overall neglect of hygiene. The prison was devoid of any medical facilities, leaving prisoners without access to necessary healthcare. Additionally, the food rations provided were severely limited, often consisting of unpalatable and nutritionally deficient meals, which led to frequent instances of starvation. As a result, malnutrition and chronic dehydration became commonplace among the incarcerated individuals, highlighting the dire circumstances they faced daily.

The situation deteriorated significantly following the tragic death of a 16-year-old inmate named Arnuna Shantha Lamahewa, who succumbed to brutal beatings inflicted by the police, compounded by the deplorable sanitary conditions within the prison cell. Arnuna, a schoolboy, had been apprehended by law enforcement and subsequently transferred to Hammenheil, where he fell gravely ill for several days without receiving any medical attention. The other inmates, powerless to intervene, could only watch in despair as his health continued to decline. Despite their desperate pleas for assistance, no guards responded to their cries, leaving them in a state of helplessness. Following his untimely death, the guards removed his lifeless body and buried it in proximity to the Elara Naval base.

The experience at Hammenheil bore a striking resemblance to the bleak realities depicted in Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The House of the Dead." The inmates found themselves in a state of complete isolation, devoid of any means to acquire information from the outside world, which left them entirely severed from the fabric of civilization. Visits from family members were strictly prohibited, and for an extended duration, they were without legal representation, compounding their sense of abandonment.

In the absence of external communication, the prisoners clung to the belief that their comrades were valiantly resisting the government forces, nurturing the hope that a victorious uprising would soon lead to their liberation by the Red Guards. This myth sustained many of them for a considerable time, providing a fragile sense of hope amidst their dire circumstances. However, as the reality of their situation gradually dawned upon them, the disillusionment set in, leading to a profound sense of despair. The loss of hope catalyzed a shift in their demeanor, as the prisoners became increasingly despondent and aggressive, reflecting the psychological toll of their confinement and the harsh truths they were forced to confront.

  

Hammenheil Prison Guards

The aftermath of the failed assault on the Jaffna Police station and prison complex on April 5, 1971, saw the majority of the insurgents apprehended by law enforcement. During this tumultuous event, several detainees were tragically shot by security personnel, and there was a palpable desire among some Sinhalese police officers to execute the Sinhala rebels who had surrendered. However, this violent inclination was thwarted by the decisive intervention of Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. R. Sunderalingam, a Tamil officer who played a crucial role in preventing further bloodshed. He commanded the officers to disperse and ensured that medical assistance was provided to the injured suspects, demonstrating a commitment to humanity amidst chaos. To this day, the former prisoners from Hammenheil hold Mr. Sunderalingam in high regard, recalling his courageous actions that ultimately saved their lives and exemplified a rare instance of compassion during a period marked by conflict and division.

Before their transfer to Hammenheil Prison, the prisoners endured brutal beatings at both the Jaffna Police Station and the Jaffna Prison, which set a grim tone for their subsequent treatment. Upon arrival at Hammenheil, situated on an isolated island, the prisoners faced an environment characterized by extreme cruelty, as the prison guards exhibited a complete lack of oversight from senior officials.

The guards at Hammenheil Prison exhibited severe cruelty towards the inmates, often resorting to physical violence over minor disputes. Their indifference to the prisoners' pleas was evident, as they frequently confined them in sweltering dungeons for extended periods. They were shrouded in darkness, rendering them disoriented and deprived of any sense of time or space.   In dire situations, such as life-threatening medical emergencies, the guards remained indifferent, refusing to grant access to the outside world. This lack of respect was compounded by a predominantly bureaucratic demeanour, which further dehumanized the individuals under their control. 

The oppressive atmosphere reached a breaking point when, in a desperate act of rebellion, the prisoners managed to break through the iron doors of their confinement and emerged into the open air, gathering beneath a Bodhi tree that stood nearby. However, their intentions were not to escape the island; rather, they sought merely to breathe fresh air, a fundamental human right.

This moment of tension escalated when naval guards swiftly surrounded the group, threatening to use lethal force should any prisoner attempt to flee. In a display of calm and reason, one of the more educated and respected inmates, later identified as S. D. Somarathna, addressed the naval personnel, clarifying that their struggle was not against the Navy but rather against the injustices perpetrated by the prison guards. His plea underscored the prisoners' desire for basic dignity and humane treatment rather than a quest for freedom.

Despite the generally harsh treatment meted out by the prison guards at Hammenheil, there were instances where certain individuals displayed a remarkable degree of compassion towards the inmates. Among these guards were Mr. Vallipuram and Mr. Pasupathi, both of whom were of Tamil descent and exhibited a profound sense of empathy towards the young Sinhalese rebels incarcerated at the facility during the tumultuous year of 1971.

Mr. Vallipuram, in particular, was deeply moved by the plight of these youths, often expressing his sorrow for their circumstances and encouraging them to maintain hope for a brighter future. He would frequently reassure the prisoners that their release was inevitable, instilling a sense of optimism amidst the despair of their confinement. Remarkably, within a few years, his words proved prophetic as the government ultimately decided to release all the inmates of Hammenheil, thereby validating Mr. Vallipuram's unwavering belief in their eventual freedom.

The Group Dynamics 

The interactions among the inmate population revealed a profound dedication to their ideological beliefs that extended beyond the prison walls. Rather than acting independently, inmates coordinated their behaviors, relationships with prison staff, and protest tactics through a leadership council comprised of fellow incarcerated individuals. Instead of yielding to a sense of helplessness, they converted their imprisonment into covert hubs for political education, where experienced members imparted their ideologies to newer inmates. The severe conditions of confinement, characterized by oppressive heat, inadequate ventilation, and isolation, fostered a strong psychological reliance among the inmates. Solidarity was rigorously enforced, with any expressions of dissent facing harsh consequences. The inmates presented a united front against authority, and those who exhibited doubt or anti-JVP sentiments were often subjected to intimidation and violence from their peers, reinforcing group conformity. This environment nurtured profound trauma bonds, as they relied on shared political discourse and collective ideological aspirations to bolster their resolve and prevent psychological deterioration.

  

The Ideological Clashes

In the aftermath of the ideological clashes, a significant number of victims found themselves estranged from the collective, opting for a life of solitude. This detachment was marked by a deliberate renunciation of the shared ideology that had previously fostered a sense of unity and purpose among them prior to the uprising.

Some individuals, in a desperate bid for survival, chose to collaborate with prison guards and their interrogators, further deepening the rift within the group. The atmosphere among the inmates was permeated by a palpable sense of mistrust, accompanied by a pervasive culture of silence that stifled open communication and camaraderie. 

 

The Emotional Isolation

The psychological toll on the prisoners was profound, particularly among the younger detainees, who were predominantly in their early twenties and largely unmarried. These individuals, once fervently committed to a political cause, now grappled with a bleak outlook on their futures. The isolation of Hammenheil Island offered no avenues for them to address their biological and emotional needs, exacerbating their sense of despair. As the revolution they had passionately supported devolved into a disheartening failure, the betrayal by some of their once-trusted comrades, who aligned themselves with the authorities, left many feeling desolate, confused, and increasingly disconnected from both their ideals and each other.

Wilfred Peris, also known as Kegalle Peris, a former inmate of Hammenheil, has recounted the emergence of homosexual relationships among certain young prisoners during their incarceration. These individuals, who had previously identified as heterosexual and were deeply committed to a Marxist ideology, experienced a peculiar form of liberation through their engagement in same-sex relationships.

The intense stress, anxiety, and unpredictability of prison life significantly altered their sexual orientations, leading to unexpected explorations of their identities. Within the confines of the prison, graffiti depicting naked women adorned the walls of the restrooms, and some inmates sought fleeting moments of gratification by gazing at these images while engaging in acts of masturbation. Despite the profound transformations occurring around them, a faction of hardline prisoners remained steadfast in their beliefs, refusing to abandon their ideological commitments. They continued to engage in fervent discussions surrounding the theories of Karl Marx and the principles outlined in the Communist Manifesto, illustrating a stark contrast between their unwavering convictions and the evolving dynamics of their environment.

  

The Internal Conflicts

As the months progressed, the prisoners began to engage in a critical examination of their circumstances, leading to the emergence of significant ideological rifts within their ranks. The camaraderie that had initially united them in their shared struggle against government forces, where they had risked their lives side by side, began to fray as they turned their scrutiny inward. This introspection revealed a troubling reality: accusations of betrayal surfaced among those they once considered allies, creating an atmosphere of distrust and disillusionment. The emotional toll of these revelations was profound, as individuals who had been prepared to lay down their lives for one another now grappled with the painful realization that their bonds were not as unbreakable as they had believed.

In the aftermath of these ideological confrontations, certain inmates found themselves labelled as traitors, leading to brutal assaults perpetrated by the more extreme factions within the prison. A designated group, known as “PORIYAL HAMUDAWA” or the assault brigade, was formed from these hard-line members, whose primary function was to carry out violent reprisals against their perceived adversaries. This team actively incited and executed physical attacks on their fellow inmates, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The victims of these assaults, desperate for relief, implored the prison guards and Naval Officers for intervention, seeking protection from the relentless and savage beatings that had become a grim reality within the prison walls.

Severe restrictions were enforced upon those labelled as traitors within the prison, resulting in their ostracism by other inmates. Communication with these so-called traitors was forbidden, including both verbal exchanges and non-verbal gestures.

  

The Hammenheil Communist Utopia

In an environment where prisoners lacked genuine control over their lives, they endeavoured to create a semblance of order through an ideological framework. The more radical members among them proposed that the tenets of communism would dictate the social structure of Hammenheil prison island, leading to the emergence of what was termed Hammenheil Socialism.

Within this newly established ideology, the notion of private property was completely eradicated, even though the inmates possessed only a few personal items. Notably, even the simplest possessions, such as slippers, were considered too personal for individual ownership, illustrating the extreme measures taken to implement this radical transformation in property rights and authority.

The figurehead of this informal regime was known as Makarios, who asserted his dominance with an air of self-importance and often engaged in discussions about Marxist theory, delivering lectures to his followers. His authority significantly diminished over time when he was caught engaging in a homosexual act with a young male, resulting in a substantial loss of control over the regime and prompting many of his supporters to defect.

The Psychological Impact

The psychological ramifications of Hammenheil prison have yet to be thoroughly examined, despite its significant role in the darker chapters of Sri Lanka's political landscape. This facility represents the onset of a troubling period characterized by a system of political detention and egregious human rights violations. While Hammenheil served as a stark revelation of the brutalities inflicted upon individuals, society at large failed to glean valuable lessons from this traumatic experience.

The inmates at Hammenheil prison were subjected to a multitude of both environmental and manmade stressors that significantly impacted their mental health. A considerable number of these prisoners experienced debilitating conditions such as depression and anxiety, which often went undiagnosed and untreated during their incarceration. While it is possible that the passage of time allowed some individuals to heal from their emotional traumas, this was not the case for all.

Tragically, two former inmates, Rev Morawaka Badhhiya and Susil Galgamuva, took their own lives less than fifteen years after their release from Hammenheil Prison, underscoring the profound and lasting effects of their experiences. Consequently, the posttraumatic impact of the conditions within Hammenheil Prison must be acknowledged and cannot be overlooked, as it highlights the critical need for mental health support for those who have endured such harrowing circumstances.

The younger generation, having witnessed the social upheaval of 1971, subsequently ignited another wave of unrest in 1988, which tragically resulted in the loss of nearly 60,000 lives.  In the face of such adversity.

 The Stanford Prison Experiment and the Hammenhiel

The Stanford Prison Experiment and the Hammenhiel detention facility exhibit numerous parallels, particularly in their treatment of inmates through extreme and oppressive confinement designed to dismantle their psychological resilience. 

In the Stanford experiment, participants were subjected to dehumanizing conditions, stripped of their clothing and dignity, and confined in cramped, windowless cells that mimicked a prison environment. Similarly, at Hammenhiel in 1971, insurgent rebels were crammed into antiquated, poorly ventilated dungeons originally used for storing gunpowder, where the oppressive heat, lack of fresh air, and rampant rat infestations created a nightmarish atmosphere. 

This harsh confinement in both settings was not merely physical but also served to instigate profound psychological distress, leading to rapid emotional breakdowns among the inmates. In Stanford, the student-prisoners experienced debilitating anxiety, severe depression, and uncontrollable episodes of crying within mere days, while at Hammenhiel, detainees were plagued by panic attacks, claustrophobia, and physical ailments stemming from the suffocating conditions shortly after their arrival.  

Both environments thrived on a pronounced power imbalance, fostering an "us versus them" mentality that exacerbated tensions between guards and prisoners. In the Stanford setting, middle-class student guards enforced arbitrary rules while donning military sunglasses to obscure their identities and enhance their authority. Conversely, at Hammenhiel, the guards, primarily Tamil officers, wielded power over young, left-wing Sinhalese rebels, deepening the ethnic and political divides that fueled mutual distrust and hostility. 

Lastly, both cases exemplify the "Bad Barrel" phenomenon, illustrating how toxic environments can corrupt individuals and lead to inhumane behavior. The Stanford experiment clearly illustrated that typical students could develop sadistic behaviors within a simulated prison environment, while Hammenhiel's findings indicated that, in actual circumstances, prison guards can transform into tormentors and perpetrators of torture.

 

The Lessons Learnt from Hammenheil

Hammenheil offers profound insights into human behaviour under extreme duress, revealing the complexities of interpersonal relationships forged in dire circumstances. The narratives emerging from this institution expose not only the malevolence exhibited by certain prison guards but also highlight the capacity for compassion and humanity that some individuals managed to retain amidst the chaos.

Hammenheil provides an exploration of group dynamics and the collective behavior exhibited by youth who, initially united by a singular political ideology, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their cause, even to the point of making extreme sacrifices. However, as the political endeavor faltered, underlying tensions began to emerge, leading to a fracturing of the once-solid camaraderie. The bonds that had initially united these individuals began to unravel, giving way to accusations of betrayal among comrades on a secluded island.

Those who had once fought side by side for a shared political vision found themselves embroiled in conflict with one another. In this tumultuous environment, some detainees began to view their prison guards and interrogators as unexpected saviors, leading to significant shifts in their perspectives and behaviors. 

In certain instances, individuals experienced radical transformations, including alterations in their sexual orientation, as they navigated the complexities of their confinement. Meanwhile, the psychological toll of their experiences at Hammenheil left many with enduring emotional scars, a testament to the profound and often harrowing impact of their circumstances.

The story of Hammenheil encapsulates a duality of existence, showcasing both the sadistic tendencies that can arise in positions of power and the unexpected warmth that can emerge even in the most oppressive environments.