Chapter 13 Prison Life 2003 Prentice Hall Inc

Chapter 13 Prison Life © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 1

Total Institutions Erving Goffman coined the term (1961). The place where people work, play, eat, sleep, and recreate together on a daily basis. Examples of total institutions: • prisons • concentration camps • summer camps • mental hospitals • seminaries © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 2

Prison Subcultures Two social structures exist in prison: formal/official - consists of rules and procedures established by the local, state, or federal authorities informal/unofficial - also called prison subculture © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 3

Prison Subcultures Informal Structure • values and behavioral patterns specifically characteristic of prison inmates • develops independently of plans of prison administrators • often more powerful than formal/official structure • includes values, roles, and even a special language © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 4

Prison Subcultures Sykes and Messinger: “The Inmate Social System” (1960) Five elements of the prison code: • don’t interfere with interests of other inmates – don’t rat on others • play it cool and do your own time • don’t whine – be a man • don’t exploit inmates – don’t break your word • don’t be a sucker – don’t trust guards or staff © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 5

Prison Subcultures Argot ace duce - best friend banger - a knife billy - white man boneyard - conjugal visit chester - child molester dog - homeboy or friend ink - tattoos man walking - signal guard coming tree jumper - rapist © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 6

Prison Subcultures Women’s prison slang is often related to the identities/behaviors of the women who form, and participate in, “family” relationships while in prison. 1. cherry – A female inmate who has not been initiated into lesbian activities. 2. femme (or mommy) – A female inmate who plays the female role during lesbian relationships. 3. fay broad – The term describing a white female inmate. 4. stud broad (or daddy) – A female inmate who assumes role of male during lesbian relationships. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 7

Prison Subcultures Two models of prison society: • deprivation model – Prison subculture is an adaptation to the situation. • importation model – An inmate brings with him to prison specific values, roles, and behaviors from the outside world. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 8

Homosexuality in Prison Sexual assaults in prison are likely to leave psychological scars long after the physical event is over. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 9

Homosexuality in Prison • wolf - aggressive men who assume the masculine role in homosexual relations • punks - forced into submitting to the female role, often by wolves • fags - natural proclivity toward homosexual activity and effeminate mannerism © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 10

Prison Subcultures • mean dude • hedonist • opportunist • retreatist • legalist • radical © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. • colonist • religious • realist 11

Prison Subcultures Mean Dude • quick to fight • leave these individuals alone • receives frequent write-ups for violations • spends much time in solitary confinement Prison subculture supports role of mean dude in two ways: • by expecting prisoners to be tough • by type of wisdom that says “only the strong survive” © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 12

Prison Subcultures hedonist - builds life around limited pleasures in prison (smuggling, gambling, drug running, homosexuality, etc. ) opportunist - takes advantage of positive experiences prison has to offer, such as schooling, trade programs, counseling, etc. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 13

Prison Subcultures retreatist - attempt some form of psychological retreat from realities of prison, often becoming heavily involved in drug and alcohol use leading to depression and mental illness legalist - a “jail house” lawyer – fights confinement through the law © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 14

Prison Subcultures 1. radical - individuals who view themselves as political prisoners society = the oppressor 2. realist - sees incarceration as natural consequence of criminal activity - just an unfortunate part of “doing criminal business” follows inmate code and does not get in trouble © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 15

Prison Subcultures colonist - views prison as their “home” • have many friends inside • often hold positions of power and/or respect • does not look forward to leaving prison • have been known to commit new crimes so they return to prison religious - have strong religious ties and may be “born again” © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 16

Prison Life The Staff World • Staff is mostly concerned with custody and control. • Officers undergo socialization process that helps them function by official and unofficial rules of prison. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 17

Prison Life The Staff World Types of correctional officers: • dictator • friend • merchant • turnkey • climber • reformer © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 18

Prison Staff Dictator 1. A dictator uses prison rules to enforce their own brand of discipline. 2. Some use false bravado to hide their fear of prisoners. 3. They may have sadistic personalities. 4. This type of correctional officer is the one most likely to be targeted for vengeance. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 19

Prison Staff Friend • This type tries to fraternize with the prisoners by trying to be “one of the guys. ” • Usually, these are the young and inexperienced officers. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 20

Prison Staff Merchant • participates in the prison economy • supplies drugs, pornography, alcohol, and sometimes even weapons to prisoners © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 21

Prison Staff Turnkey • cares little about what goes on in the prison • may be close to retirement or may have become alienated from job “turnkey” - comes from prison language Someone who is just there to open and shut doors and cares nothing more than just getting through the day. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 22

Prison Staff Climber • typically a young officer who is interested in advancement • more interested in their own careers than the problems of prisoners • pursues additional schooling and training programs © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 23

Prison Staff Reformer • A reformer tends to lend a sympathetic ear to the personal needs of prisoners. • They are motivated by personal ideals. • Some of these officers are very religious. • Prisoners perceive these officers to be naïve, but harmless. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 24

Prison Riots 1971 - Attica Prison, NY 1987 - Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Atlanta, GA 1989 - State Correctional Institution, Camp Hill, PA 1993 - Southern Correctional Facility, Lucasville, OH © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 25

Prison Riots Causes A. insensitive prison administration and neglected inmate demands B. carry-over of violent lifestyle of prisoners C. dehumanizing prison conditions 1. overcrowding 2. lack of individual expression © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 26

Prison Riots Causes 1. Power vacuums created: 1. changes in administration of prison creates power vacuum 2. transfer of influential prisoners to other prisons 3. court ordered injunctions that change daily routine © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 27

Stages of Prison Riots Five Phases of a Prison Riot: 1) explosion (tends to involve binges – alcohol and drugs) – buildings burned, hostages taken, old grudges settled 2) organization (into inmate led groups) © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 28

Stages of Prison Riots 3) confrontation (with authorities) 4) termination (through negotiation or physical confrontation) 5) reaction and explanation (usually by investigative commission) © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 29

Prison Life Women in Prison • Increase in women in prison is due primarily to drug offenses. • Approximately 6. 6% of all prisoners nationwide are women. • California has the largest number of women in prison, exceeding the federal government. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 30

Prison Inmates by Gender and Ethnicity in State and Federal Prisons, 2000 Source: Allen J. Beck and Paige M. Harrison, Prisoners in 2000 (Washington, D. C. : Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001). © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 31

Prison Life Profile of Women’s Prisons: American Correctional Association Report - 1990 • Most women’s prisons are located in small towns of 25, 000 or less. • Most women’s prisons have few major disturbances or escapes. • The number of women being sent to prison is on the increase. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 32

Prison Life • Most women prisoners have less than a high school education. • Most of the women’s prisons do not have programs specifically designed for women. • Substance use among women inmates is very high. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 33

Prison Life “National Survey of Programs for Incarcerated Women” Mary Clements (1991) 1. Their average is 29 -30. 2. 57 % are African American or Hispanic. 3. Most come from single parent homes or broken homes. 4. 50% have other family members in prison. 5. 50% are high school dropouts. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 34

Prison Life • 34% left school because they were pregnant. • 55% have been arrested on the average of 2 -9 times. • 65% have run away between 1 -3 times. • 39% report drug use makes them feel better emotionally. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 35

Prison Life • 28% have attempted suicide at least once. • 62% are single parents with 1 -3 children. • 25% have either recently given birth or are pregnant. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 36

Prison Life Making it in Prison, Esther Heffernan (1972) Square 1. has few early experiences with criminal life 2. tends to sympathize with values and attitudes of conventional society 3. represents a small number of prisoners © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 37

Prison Life Women Cool 1. more likely to be career offenders 2. tend to keep to themselves 3. generally supportive of prison values Lifer 1. familiar with life of crime 2. have repeat arrests for prostitution, drug use, and theft 3. full participants in economic, social, and family arrangements of prison © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 38

Prisoner Rights: Legal Basis of Prisoners’ Rights Pell v. Procunier (1974) U. S. Supreme Court established “balancing test” balancing test - attempts to weigh rights of individual against the authority of the states to make laws or otherwise restrict a person’s freedom in order to protect its interests and its citizens © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 39

Prisoner Rights Religious Freedom 1. Cruz v. Beto (1972) 2. This case established that prisoners must be given a “reasonable opportunity” to pursue their faith, even if it differs from traditional forms of worship. 3. Meeting facilities must be provided for religious purposes when those same facilities are made available to other groups of prisoners for other purposes. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 40

Prisoner Rights Prisoners also have the right to: 1. attend services of other religious groups 2. receive visits from ministers 3. correspond with religious leaders 4. observe religious dietary laws 5. wear religious insignia © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 41

Prisoner Rights Freedom of Speech – contact with the media Pell v. Procunier (1974) Supreme Court held that media interviews could be conducted through regular visitation arrangements or through correspondence, but denied prisoners opportunity to hold special meetings with members of the press. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 42

Prisoner Rights Houchins v. KQED, Inc. (1978) News personnel cannot be denied correspondence with prisoners, but they have no constitutional right to interview prisoners or to inspect correctional facilities beyond the visitation opportunities available to others. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 43

Prisoner Rights Freedom of Speech – right to communicate with non-prisoners Procunier v. Martinez (1974) Prisoner’s mail may be censored if it is necessary to do so for security purposes. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 44

Prisoner Rights Freedom of Speech – right to communicate with non-prisoners Mc. Namara v. Moody (1979) Court upheld right of prisoner to write vulgar letters to his girlfriend, in which he made disparaging remarks about prison staff. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 45

Prisoner Rights Legal Assistance – right to access the courts Bounds v. Smith (1977) Right of prisoners to petition the court was recognized. It is the duty of the state to assist prisoners in preparation and filing of legal papers. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 46

Prisoner Rights Legal Assistance Prisoners also have the right to: • visits from attorneys • mail communications with attorneys • communicate with legal assistance organizations • consult with “jail-house lawyers” © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 47

Prisoner Rights Medical Treatment – sanitary and healthy conditions Ruiz v. Estelle (1982) • Court found Dept. of Corrections lacking in its medical treatment programs. • Court monitored Dept. of Corrections while it improved: a) record keeping b) physical facilities c) general medical care © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 48

Prisoner Rights Medical Treatment – sanitary and healthy conditions Newman v. Alabama (1972) • prison medical services inadequate • not enough medical personnel • poor physical facilities • poor medical records • lack of medical supplies • medically untrained personnel who determined need for treatment © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 49

Prisoner Rights Medical Treatment – right to medical attention for serious problems Estelle v. Gamble (1976) • Court concerned itself with “deliberate indifference” on part of staff toward prisoner’s need for serious medical attention. • Court specified prison officials’ duty to provide for inmates’ medical care. © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 50

Prisoner Rights Right to Protection Prisoners have the right to: • food, water, and shelter A. protection from foreseeable attack B. protection from predictable sexual attack C. protection against suicide © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 51

Prisoner Rights Right to Privacy Most of the major Supreme Court cases have held that prisoners cannot have a reasonable expectation to privacy when incarcerated. Examples: • • © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. Katz v. U. S. (1967) U. S. v. Ready (1978) Hudson v. Palmer (1984) Block v. Rutherford (1984) 52

Prisoner Rights • partial return to “hands off doctrine” • established grievance procedure • Prison Litigation Reform Act (1996) © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 53

Prisons Today Issues • Aids • geriatric offenders • mentally ill inmates © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc. 54