NCJ Number
77091
Date Published
1981
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The classification of inmates for programming and survival is discussed.
Abstract
Small prisons can be considered as communities; a large prison should be viewed as a set of diverse communities that can be organized within the same universe. Large prisons can assign inmates to the most appropriate subenvironment; small prisons are restricted in the number of subenvironments. The architectural characteristics of a prison are not nearly so important as the prison's activities, relationships, and the competence and fairness of the staff. It is particularly important that long-term inmates be presented with inprison 'career' options, rather than being confronted with haphazard unconnected assignments. Although traditional thought is that predatory and violent inmates should be segregated from the general prison population, there should also be an option for potential victims to choose segregation or quasi-segregation units. Segregation for predators or victims, however, should not mean idleness and impoverishment of programs. Also, both victims and aggressors can be helped to ameliorate their postures of aggression and vulnerability. Prisons should also focus upon structuring various options for conflict resolution both between inmates and between inmates and staff. A question and answer discussion follows the presentation. Notes are provided.