NCJ Number
27518
Date Published
Unknown
Length
500 pages
Annotation
A RESEARCH STUDY ATTEMPTING, FROM A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE, TO UNDERSTAND THE INSTITUTION PREDICATED UPON IMPRISONMENT AND TO ANALYZE THE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF INCARCERATION IN A PENITENTIARY SETTING.
Abstract
THIS STUDY IS BASED ON ONE YEAR OF RESEARCH AT THE FEDERAL PENITENTIARY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. EXTENSIVE CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE RATIONALE PROVIDED FOR EMPHASIS BY PRISON STAFF UPON CUSTODY AND SECURITY OF THE INSTITUTION, AND HOW THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF A MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON IS SUPPORTIVE OF THIS EMPHASIS. THE PROPERTIES OF INMATE SOCIETY WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO ITS FUNCTIONING ARE EXPLORED, AS WELL AS THE ADAPTATIONS MADE BY PRISONERS TO THE DEPRIVATIONS WHICH THEY EXPERIENCE. AN OCCUPATIONAL CULTURE IS SEEN TO ARISE AMONG PRISON STAFF IN RESPONSE TO THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH INMATES. FINALLY, THE ATMOSPHERE OF UNCERTAINTY WHICH IS FOSTERED AND SUSTAINED BY THE OCCURRENCE OF MISCONDUCT AMONG INMATES IS EXAMINED, WITH ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR BOTH INMATES AND STAFF. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE PARAMETERS OF IMPRISONMENT ARE NOT ADEQUATELY UNDERSTOOD, AND THAT UNLESS MORE IS DISCOVERED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF PRESENT CORRECTIONAL PRACTICE, ADVANCEMENT WILL BE MORE A MATTER OF CHANCE THAN OF DESIGN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)