NCJ Number
127765
Date Published
Unknown
Length
5 pages
Annotation
To assess the extent and dimensions of severe discipline in contemporary prisons, the Prison Discipline Study distributed a questionnaire nationally to prison administrators, guards, inmates, and inmates' visitors and families.
Abstract
Fifteen multiple-choice questions addressed issues related to custody levels, disciplinary housing, severe punishment, and demographic information. A total of 650 responses were received from respondents in 41 States. The typical respondent was a long-term inmate in a maximum-security prison. Overall, the survey found that severe physical and psychological abuse are the norm in maximum-security prisons throughout the Nation. The most frequently disciplined groups of inmates were jailhouse lawyers, black inmates, and inmates with mental handicaps. There was no significant variation by State or region. Data indicate that solitary confinement, loss of privileges, and physical beatings constituted the battery of disciplinary measures typically used in prisons. In order of frequency, the most common means of administering beatings were with fists, boots, and clubs. Approximately 100 respondents reported they had witnessed beatings after an inmate had been restrained with handcuffs or shackles. Another 40 stated they had observed guards throwing inmates against a wall or on the floor after inmates had been cuffed behind their backs. Methods of severe physical beatings ran the gamut from mace, tear gas, tasers, fire hoses, flashlights, riot batons, mop handles, rubber hoses, and wooden bullet guns. The leading reason for severe discipline was an inmate being verbally hostile to guards. The second most frequent infraction occasioning beatings was refusal to follow orders. 9 tables