NCJ Number
72387
Date Published
1980
Length
241 pages
Annotation
A theoretical typology is used as the main organizing principle of this book, a treatment of the physical, economic, psychological, and social victimization of both prisoners and prison staff.
Abstract
The book begins by exploring the causes and varieties of forced homosexual behavior in American correctional institutions. It also describes other forms of violence among prisoners, and relates incidents from the author's experience as administrator of a therapeutic community for violent drug abusers. Prisoner violence among females and juveniles is also discussed. Research that compares violence in institutions for women and adolescents with violence in prisons for men is covered. The concept of victimization is broken down into the components of psychological victimization (in which the aggressor manipulates other prisoners while avoiding fights); economic victimization (including loansharking, gambling fraud, pricing violations, thefts, and robbery); and social victimization (which occurs because the prisoner is a member of an identifiable social group). The victimization of prisoners by staff members and the various dangers currently faced by prison staff members are also explored. Other chapters consider the causes, responsibilities, and solutions associated with prison victimization and propose some easily implemented and less expensive solutions and some feasible but expensive solutions. Three radical solutions proposed are based on the concept of open correctional colonies. Notes are provided for each chapter. An appendix examines how social scientists obtain information on prison life and prison victimization; a selected bibliography of about 250 citations is provided.