NCJ Number
11906
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1973) Pages: 414-420
Date Published
1973
Length
7 pages
Annotation
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CLOTHING AND THE EXPRESSION OF INNER HUMAN NEEDS SEEN THROUGH THE MEANING, SYMBOLISM AND HISTORY OF CLOTHING, UNIFORMS AND PRISONER GARB.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR INDICATES THAT CLOTHING DETERMINES THE BEHAVIOR OF THE WEARER TO A LARGE EXTENT. THE POLICE UNIFORM, THE CORRECTION OFFICER'S UNIFORM AND THE PRISONER'S GARB, IN THEMSELVES, MIGHT HAVE A BEARING ON THEIR WEARER'S ACTIONS. THE POLICE UNIFORM GENERATES A MARITIAL CONCEPTION OF ORDER AND IS INVESTED WITH HEAVY MORAL SIGNIFICANCE. PRISONERS' GARB CREATES IN THE WEARER AN UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING BECAUSE OF ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CONDEMNATION BY SOCIETY FOR BREAKING ITS RULES. ONE THEORIST ASSOCIATES THE PRISON UNIFORM WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL CASTRATION AND A REMINDER THAT THERE IS NO LOVE IN THE WORLD FOR THE PRISONER. PRISON STRIPES ARE ALSO DESCRIBED AS REPRESENTATIVE OF PRISON BARS, AND BY WEARING THE STRIPES, THE PRISONER IS ALWAYS CARRYING THE PRISON WITH HIM. THE CORRECTION OFFICER'S STRENGTH IS IN HIS UNIFORM. WHILE IT CREATES STRESS IN THE OPERATING OF THE PRISON, IT ALSO CREATED STAFF SOLIDARITY. THE AUTHOR'S VIEW IS THAT CLOTHING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SEEMS BOTH TO EXPRESS, AND TO BE THE CAUSE OF, ATTITUDES, ACTIONS, AND REACTIONS.