TOWARD A MORE INCLUSIVE MODEL OF THE INMATE CONTRACULTURE

• NCJ Number: 19096
• Journal: Criminology Dated: (NOVEMBER 1970) Pages: 251-261
• Author(s): C W THOMAS
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR ATTEMPTS TO EXPAND CURRENT CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE PRISON COMMUNITY DEVELOPS AND OF THE ELEMENTS WHICH REINFORCE THE RESULTANT CONTRACULTURE.

Abstract

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE SEEN AS AGENCIES NOT OF SOCIALIZATION BUT OF RESOCIALIZATION. THEIR POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IS NOT, THEREFORE, CONTINGENT ONLY ON THEIR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND STRUCTURES, BUT, IN ADDITION, ON HOW EFFECTIVELY SUCH PROGRAMS AND STRUCTURES DEAL WITH THE VARIETIES OF PREPRISON EXPERIENCE WHICH THE INMATES BRING TO THE INSTITUTION, THE TYPES OF CONTACT THE INMATES MAINTAIN WITH THE LARGER SOCIETY WHILE INCARCERATED, THE INMATES' EVALUATION OF THEIR POSTRELEASE LIFE CHANCES, AND, FINALLY, THE NUMBER AND POTENCY OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES PRESENT TO THE INMATE POPULATION.