POLITICAL PRISONER SYNDROME - LATEST PROBLEM OF THE AMERICAN PENAL SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 16077
• Journal: Crime and Delinquency Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1974) Pages: 97-106
• Author(s): S A BRODY
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRISONER REHABILITATION PROGRAMS OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MINORITY INMATES WHO VIEW THEMSELVES AS VICTIMS OF SOCIETY AND THEIR CRIMES AS 'POLITICAL'.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR TRACES THE ADOPTION OF THE 'POLITICAL PRISONER' ROLE BY MINORITIES AND DISCUSSES THE SUPPORT THIS IDEA RECEIVES FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE PRISON COMMUNITY. ALSO EXPLORED ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS - RATIONALIZATION, PROTECTION, UPPER MIDDLE-CLASS GUILT FEELINGS - THAT MAKE THIS ROLE SATISFYING FOR THE PRISON INMATE, SUGGESTIONS FOR DIMINISHING THE APPEAL OF POLITICALIZATION TO PRISONERS, AND THEREBY, FOR AIDING PRISON REHABILITATION EFFORTS, INCLUDE DISPERSING MILITANT INMATES THROUGHOUT THE PRISON SYSTEM AND EMPLOYING MORE MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS FOR PRISON STAFF JOBS. THE AUTHOR ALSO PROPOSES GIVING INMATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH PRISON STAFF IN A DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY AND RE-LOCATING PRE-PAROLEES TO SMALL COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTERS A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THEIR RELEASE DATE.