Prison Life

Introduction

• Lots of variations in prisons: State systems, BOP (Bureau of Prisons), military prisons

• Total Institutions: All aspects of life are conducted under the same place under the same authority

• Goffman

• Control

Going to Prison

• Jury votes to convict

• Judge determines punishment

• Prison officials evaluate convicted person; presentence investigation report; victim impact statement

Types of Prisons

• Minimum security

• Low security

• Medium security

• High security

• Supermax prison

Other types of Prisons

• Hospitals

• Protective custody unit

• Jails

Prison Life: Guards and and Abuse

• Stanford Prison Experiment (1921)

• Abetting criminal activities: Officers and inmates can become dependent on each other

• 1980’s significant change: Unionization, professionalization, more diversity

Other Correctional Workers

• Chaplains

• Psychologist

• Teachers

• Support Staff

Prison Gangs

• Roughly 12-17% of inmates are gang members in state prisons

• Involved in: Drug trafficking, drug use, violence, contraband

• More streamlined and efficient than street gangs; main reason is organization and leadership, also loyalty 

Prison Rape

• How common in rape in prison?: 1-2% report unwanted sexual acts