Chapter 11 The Prison Experience Clear Cole American

Chapter 11 The Prison Experience Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

The Prison Experience u Prison Society n Norms and Values n Prison Subculture: Deprivation or Importation? n Adaptive Roles u The Prison Economy u Violence in Prison n Violence and Inmate Characteristics n Prisoner-Prisoner Violence n Prisoner-Officer Violence n Officer-Prisoner Violence n Decreasing Prison Violence Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

“Inmate code” ua set of rules of conduct that reflect the values and norms of the prison social system and help to define (for inmates) the image of the “model” prisoner Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

“prisonization” (Donald Clemmer) u the process by which a new inmate absorbs the customs of prison society and learns to adapt to the prison environment Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

“degradation ceremony” u a conspicuous ritual that is played out in various stages of the criminal justice process that is designed to degrade, dehumanize, & humiliate an individual. By design or effect, it informs an inmate/criminal that s/he is “outside” of & beneath society, that s/he is no longer regarded as honest, honorable, trustworthy, upright, & good. Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

adjusting to prison society values roles inmate “subculture” customs language Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

Gresham Sykes’ inmate code don’t interfere with inmate interests inmate code don’t quarrel with inmates don’t trust the guards don’t weaken; be tough don’t exploit inmates Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

inmate social system: prison roles ‘right guy’ ‘square John’ upholder of inmate values non-criminal self concept ‘punk’ passive homosexual basic inmate roles ‘hustler’ entrepreneur, supplies goods & services ‘rat’ squeals or sells out to authorities Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

Sexual Violence u The Myth: Because state prisons are filled with predatory, violent offenders who are deprived of heterosexual relationships, sexual violence happens with great regularity. u The Reality: In 2005, there were 1, 865 allegations of inmate-oninmate sexual violence in state prisons holding nearly 1. 26 million inmates. Put differently, the rate of prisoner-prisoner sexual assault is approximately 1. 5 attacks per Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

how inmates “adapt” to prison “gleaning” exploit prison programs & opportunities; try to succeed doing time” prison = brief interruption in criminal career; stay comfortable adaptive roles “jailing” cut selves off from outside; develop a life, power, influence in prison; “disorganized criminal” can’t develop any of the other three roles; often disabled; cannot adjust to prison life; develops emotional disorders Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

major prison gangs Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

prison subculture: where does it come from? Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

Bases of inmate violence AGE youth, machismo, identity ATTITUDE subculture of violence key factors RACE convict code, gangs Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

causes of prison violence inadequate supervision by staff & inmatestaff relations architectural design, including size & condition main causes easy availability of deadly weapons high level of tension caused by close quarters housing dangerous & nondangerous inmates together Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

strategies for reducing violence in prison u improve n classification separate violence-prone inmates from others u create opportunities for fearful inmates to seek staff assistance u increase custody staff size, diversity, training u redesign facilities improve surveillance; eliminate ‘blind spots’ n use smaller institutions n u install grievance mechanisms or ombudsman Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th

“unit management” u organizational tactic for reducing prison violence by dividing facilities into a number of small, selfcontained, semiautonomous ‘institutions’ Clear & Cole, American Corrections, 8 th