NCJ Number
6957
Date Published
1961
Length
39 pages
Annotation
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE NATURE OF INMATE-STAFF RELATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTS WITH LITTLE OR NO CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
Abstract
TOTAL INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS PRISONS AND MENTAL HOSPITALS, CREATE THEIR OWN SOCIAL SYSTEMS. THE STAFF OF SUCH INSTITUTIONS FACE PRESSURES FROM THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN HUMANE STANDARDS AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFICIENCY. THE OFFICIAL GOALS OF THE PRISON OR HOSPITAL ARE OFTEN UNOBTAINABLE FOR EVERY INMATE. THE STAFF IS CALLED UPON FOR SUPER-HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND ENDURANCE IN THE FACE OF HOSTILE INMATE BEHAVIOR. THE AUTHOR REVIEWS SOME OF THE WAYS INSTITUTIONS COPE WITH THESE PRESSURES. FOR EXAMPLE, HE NOTES THAT INSTITUTIONAL CEREMONIES, SUCH AS OPEN HOUSES, SERVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF PROMOTING IN GROUP COHESIVENESS AND SHOWING A SOLID FRONT TO VISITORS. THE AUTHOR ALSO COMMENTS ON THE ROLE DEFERENCE- THE SEMI-FORMAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF STATUS- PLAYS IN MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE INSTITUTION.