Ex-Prisoner Buys His Old Cell - Too Much Sentiment?

People can become very attached to material possessions, particularly places of residence, which could be why a former Australian prisoner decided to buy his old jail cell.

Graeme Alford hadn’t lived in Pentridge Prison since 1980, but has every intention of buying cell 43 back “As part of a commercial redevelopment of the jail.”

“Pentridge, one of Australia’s most notorious prisons and site of the country’s last hanging, is being redeveloped into a wine block that will eventually house A$50 million (22 million pounds) worth of rare wines,” Reuters reported.

“After leaving prison in 1980, Alford turned his life around, swearing off the drink, writing books and starting a career as a motivational speaker. He will sign the sale contract for his old prison cell on Wednesday night, said Australian Associated Press.”

I get that kids yearn to visit their first homes, and I even have understanding for adults who buy back their childhood homes. That’s because there are generally strong, positive associations going back to childhood sentiment. But a jail cell? Come on! Those memories couldn’t be good ones, could they?