NCJ Number
16129
Journal
Society Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1974) Pages: 51-59
Date Published
1974
Length
9 pages
Annotation
EXAMINES THE BARTER SYSTEM ESTABLISHED BY PRISONERS TO ACQUIRE GOODS AND SERVICES FROM FELLOW INMATES.
Abstract
TO ASSESS THE NATURE OF THIS MARKET SYSTEM, THE REASON FOR ITS GROWTH AND THE NEEDS WHICH IT SERVES, DATA WERE COLLECTED FROM INTERVIEWS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS WITH INMATES AT TRENTON AND RAHWAY PRISONS IN NEW JERSEY, FROM PRISON NOTICES AND MEMOS AND PREVIOUS STUDIES OF TOTAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES ON RAHWAY BECAUSE IF EXEMPLIFIES THE TYPICAL CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT. IT EXPLORES THE ASPECTS OF PRISON LIFE WHICH MAKE AN INMATE MARKET SYSTEM BOTH PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY NECESSARY FOR MOST PRISONERS. THIS ARTICLE FIRST EXAMINES THE PHYSICAL SETTING, DAILY ROUTINE AND NECESSITIES PROVIDED FOR THE INMATE BY HIS CUSTODIANS. AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL VALUE OF THE SYSTEM AS A MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SOME AUTONOMY AND ITS MATERIAL VALUE AS A SOURCE OF AMENITIES TO MAKE PRISON LIFE MORE COMFORTABLE WILL BECOME CLEAR. COMMENTS ARE THEN MADE ON THE BARTER SYSTEM WHICH INVOLVES FOOD, CIGARETTES, CASH, AND PRIVILEGES. RAHWAY AND TRENTON