NCJ Number
49265
Date Published
1978
Length
198 pages
Annotation
CONTRABAND MARKETS IN A MICHIGAN PRISON, THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH AND SUPPORT OF THE INFORMAL SOCIAL AND POWER STRUCTURE OF THE INMATE POPULATION, AND THE STABILITY OF THE PRISON COMMUNITY IS STUDIED.
Abstract
THE CONTRABAND GOODS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE, THEIR AVERAGE PRICES, AND THEIR GENERAL AVAILABILITY ARE SHOWN; AND THE DEMAND ELASTICITIES OF GENERIC GROUPING OF CONTRABAND IS ESTIMATED. BUYER AND SELLER TYPOLOGIES ARE DEVELOPED AND GENERAL RISK IN BEING A CONTRABAND SUPPLIER IS ESTIMATED FOR THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF CONTRABAND THAT EXIST. A LITERATURE REVIEW FOCUSES ON THE ABILITY OF INMATE LEADERS TO INFLUENCE AND ALTER THE APPLICATION OF THE FORMAL SYSTEM'S RULES, POLICY, AND PROCEDURE. IT IS INDICATED THAT A CORE OF LEADERS IS CREATED WHO GAIN THE PERSONAL TRUST OF BOTH STAFF AND FELLOW INMATES, AND ACT AS POLITICIANS AND MERCHANTS. THE CONTRABAND DEALING CAN TAKE THE SIMPLE FORM OF BARTERING OR ENTAIL A SOPHISTICATED NETWORK. RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED AT THE SOUTHERN PENITENTIARY IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ON THE FACTORS THAT FACILITATE THE FLOW OF CONTRABAND, THE STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES TO SMUGGLE AND PRODUCE CONTRABAND, INTERACTIONS BETWEEN STAFF AND RESIDENTS THAT LIMIT THE GUARD'S ABILITY TO CONTROL CONTRABAND, AND THE GENERAL ATMOSPHERE OF PRISONS THAT CREATE THE DEMAND FOR THESE ACTIVITIES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT INCLUDE USE OF SMALLER INSTITUTIONS OR MODULES WITHIN AN INSTITUTION, IMPLEMENTATION OF A HOLDING ACTION AGAINST THE FLOW OF CONTRABAND AND USE OF TIGHTER SECURITY AND CONTROLS, AND RESIDENT INPUT INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTITUTION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT SOME LEVEL OF CONTRABAND FLOW CONTRIBUTES TO THE STABILITY OF THE INMATE COMMUNITY, AND SHOULD BE LEFT IN A CONTROLLED FORM. APPENDIXES CONTAIN STATISTICAL DATA ON CONTRABAND GOODS AND FLOW, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DAG)