NCJ Number
47940
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION IS UNDERTAKEN OF THE MAJOR TYPES OF 'HUSTLES' IN THE PRISON COMMUNITY AND THE ARTIFACTS OF THEIR OPERATION.
Abstract
FROM THE MOMENT OF COMMITMENT TO A PENITENTIARY A NEW MAN WILL BE THRUST INTO A SYSTEM OF ECONOMIC EXCHANGE IN WHICH HIS POSSESSIONS, HIS COMMISSARY ACCOUNT, AND HIS BODY ARE SUBJECTED TO THE WANTS, NEEDS, AND DESIRES OF OTHERS. THOSE WHO KNOW HOW TO DO TIME QUICKLY ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AS INDEPENDENT OPERATORS OR FIND THEIR NICHE IN THE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO THE PENITENTIARY GO THROUGH A PERIOD OF RECONNAISSANCE EVEN AS THEY THEMSELVES ARE SCRUTINIZED BY THE INMATE POPULATION. SINCE CURRENCY IS CONTRABAND IN PRISON AN ILLICIT MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE ARISES; THIS MEDIUM IS CIGARETTES, WHICH APPEAR TO BE A UNIVERSAL FORM OF CURRENCY IN TOTAL INSTITUTIONS. EQUALLY UNIVERSAL ARE THE PROCLIVITIES OF INMATES TO BORROW AND LOAN CIGARETTES AND TO OPERATE BUSINESSES OF LOANING 'MONEY' WITHIN THE PRISON. INMATE MERCHANTS MAY OPERATE A STORE WHICH SUPPLIES THE ORDINARY GOODS AVAILABLE FROM THE COMMISSARY, BUT AT INFLATED RATES. A MERCHANT MAY ALSO OPERATE A LOAN SHARKING SCHEME, AND OFTEN A STOREKEEPER OR LOAN SHARK WILL HIRE ENFORCERS TO COLLECT BAD DEBTS. EXPERIENCED STAFF REPORT THAT A SIZEABLE NUMBER OF BEATINGS QUITELY ABSORBED BY THE INMATES ARE CAUSED BY THIS SYSTEM OF USURY. GAMBLING IS ALSO WIDESPREAD. BETS ON THE OUTCOME OF AN EVENT OCCUR SO OFTEN AND ARE SUFFICIENTLY INNOCUOUS THAT THE STAFF TAKES LITTLE NOTICE. THE TROUBLESOME FORMS OF GAMBLING WHICH CAN PRODUCE SERIOUS INCIDENTS ARE LARGE-SCALE BOOKMAKING AND BETTING IN GAMES OF CHANCE. BECAUSE PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED CONTRABAND, THEY TOO HAVE BECOME PART OF THE COMMODITY SYSTEM. THESE MATERIALS ARE USUALLY AVAILABLE THROUGH INMATE MERCHANTS ON A RENTAL BASIS. HOMEBREWED BEER AND DRUG TRAFFICKING ARE COMMERCIAL VENTURES COMMON TO THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT. THE MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, AND CONSUMPTION OF HOMEBREW BEER IS A THRIVING BUSINESS IN MANY INSTITUTIONS AND IT DEMANDS CONSTANT ATTENTION FROM CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS. BECAUSE OF THEIR PORTABILITY AND QUALITY, DRUGS ARE THE PREFERRED INTOXICANT, AND THE DEMAND FOR DRUGS MAKE SUCH TRAFFICKING A PROFITABLE ENTERPRISE. MOST DRUGS ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE EVEN BY STREET STANDARDS, AND THE GOING PRICE VARIES WITH SUPPLY. THE FINAL HUSTLE FOUND IN THE PRISON SETTING IS THE DELIVERY OF PERSONALIZED SERVICES. THESE INCLUDE: LAUNDRY AND GROOMING SERVICES, RUNNING GOODS -- WEAPONS, DRUGS, MAGAZINES -- BETWEEN THE MERCHANTS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS. PROVIDING PARALEGAL SERVICES, FORTUNE TELLING, AND PROVIDING PROTECTIVE SERVICES. (KBL)