NCJ Number
213069
Journal
Punishment & Society: The International Journal of Penology Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2006 Pages: 33-57
Date Published
January 2006
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article explores the “system-wide order” explanation for the use of supermax prisons, which justifies the use of supermax prisons by claiming that they promote higher levels of order throughout prison systems.
Abstract
Findings reveal that the main premises on which the “system-wide order” justification is based are unstable. Specifically, the research indicated that: (1) most inmates housed in the prison system were not the worst of the worst and would be unlikely to be deterred from minor disruptive behavior by the threat of supermax prisons; (2) minimum evidence suggested that supermax prisons were effective at deterring and changing the behavior of disruptive inmates; and (3) compelling counter-arguments challenged the notion that supermax prisons could normalize prison systems. Empirical research on the meaning of prison order and how to best operationalize this concept for measurement and assessment purposes is necessary before claims can be made regarding the efficacy of supermax prisons for improving prison order. The authors examine different pathways through which supermax prisons might improve system-wide prison order, including specific and general deterrence, specific and general incapacitation, normalization via opportunities, normalization via greater staff influence, and normalization via reduced peer influence. However, evidence is considered that calls into question the ability of supermax prisons to create a substantial normalizing effect and to deter disruptive inmate behavior. Critical gaps in the research literature regarding the definition and measurement of prison order are identified. Future research should focus on assessing the impact of supermax prisons on system-wide prison order using a broad range of relevant measures. Figure, notes, references