NCJ Number
84908
Editor(s)
N Parisi
Date Published
1982
Length
159 pages
Annotation
Eight papers examine causes of and responses to prison stress. They document studies on reactions to deprivation, sexual harassment, uncertainties regarding release dates caused by sentencing and parole practices, and violent (riots, aggression) and nonviolent (inmate lawsuits) coping mechanisms.
Abstract
Stresses upon entering confinement are studied through interviews with prisoners and staff in a large urban jail. The study describes the psychological impact of environmental fluctuations on inmates struggling with a new and confusing living situation, inability to satisfy needs, and lack of status and recognition. Sexual harassment by inmates usually results in victims becoming violent themselves, joining protective cliques, or confining themselves to their cells. Reaction to prison stress can be collective and violent as displayed in prison riots at Attica, N.Y., and Santa Fe, N.M -a comparative analysis of these riots finds similarities in their structural situations. Some inmates turn to nonviolent responses. An examination of the Sostre decisions (Martin Sostre, an ex-inmate and prison reformer, was involved in four major court decisions) and other prison suits reveal the judiciary's increasing receptiveness to prisoner rights cases in the 1960's and 70's, followed by a reversion to the 'hands off' doctrine. The final papers concern stress related to uncertainty about release and the trend toward determinate sentencing. One study suggests that prison conduct did not affect parole board decisions regarding release date, while another found that prisoners serving determinate sentences suffered less stress than those with indeterminate sentences. An assessment of disciplinary violations during the 20-month period when Indiana moved to a presumptive sentencing system showed that revisions in 'good time' rules did not encourage prisoner misconduct. Each paper contains footnotes and references. For individual articles, see NCJ 84909-16.