PRISON CODES

• NCJ Number: 46280
• Journal: Journal of Communication Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: (SUMMER 1976) Pages: 39-45
• Author(s): S J RAMSEY
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Annenberg School Press
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REVISED VERSION OF A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 1975 CONFERENCE ON CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Annotation

THE ROLE OF PATTERNS OF DRESS, PLAY, DEMEANOR, AND GESTURE IN IDENTIFYING SUBCULTURES AND PROVIDING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION AMONG INMATES IS EXAMINED.

Abstract

DATA WERE GATHERED THROUGH OBSERVATIONS OF THE BEHAVIOR OF INMATES PARTICIPATING IN A COURSE ON NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION. THE DATA WERE USED TO CONSTRUCT DESCRIPTIONS OF NONVERBAL DISPLAYS AND ATTRIBUTIONS. PARTICULAR NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS WERE FOUND TO BE PATTERNED AND SHARED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THEY SERVED AS CODES DIVIDING THE PRISON POPULATION. SIX SUBCULTURES -- NEW INMATES, INMATES FROM A PARTICULAR CITY, BLACK MUSLIMS, HOMOSEXUALS, RACIAL GROUPS, AND 'TOUGH' AND 'EASY' GUARDS -- COULD BE IDENTIFIED ON THE BASIS OF NONVERBAL CODES. BOTH INMATES AND GUARDS MAY BE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF SEVERAL SUBCULTURES AT ANY ONE MOMENT. DEPENDING ON THE GROUP, THE CUES THAT IDENTIFY MEMBERS MAY BE USED CONSCIOUSLY FOR SURVIVAL. EXAMPLES OF NONVERBAL CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION INCLUDE DRESS, GESTURES, POSTURE, AND TOUCHING. OTHER NONVERBAL CODES RELATE TO INMATES' PERSONAL SPACE REQUIREMENTS. TOUCHING, VISITING ROOM BEHAVIOR, AND MANIPULATION OF TIME ARE THREE AREAS IN WHICH CONTRASTING CULTURAL NORMS ARE CLEARLY ILLUSTRATED. NO SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)