NCJ Number
211244
Date Published
2005
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the harms of imprisonment due to existing medical care delivery; social processes that shape psychological processes; the conditions that fuel anger, frustration, and a sense of injustice; and the overall impact of imprisonment on prisoners over time.
Abstract
For inmates with few health problems, prison offers diet restrictions and exercise opportunities that can further improve and maintain good health; however, prison does not offer quality health services for those with serious diseases, due to inadequate staff and other medical resources. Health care services for female inmates are worse than for men, because of gender-related health problems. Regarding the psychological impact of imprisonment, the prison regime reduces the range of choices for inmates, thus eroding the sense of empowerment over the selection of experiences and goals. Further, a sense of self as a distinctive person with special value through thought and action is undermined through a loss of privacy and individuality. Also, the involuntary celibacy of imprisonment is not only physically and psychologically damaging but intensifies conflicts regarding homosexuality. All of these prison conditions are tailor-made for the stimulation of anger, frustration, and a sense of being treated in an unjust, demeaning way. Problems related to gender include separation from children, pregnancy, and physical and psychological safety. Taken together, the harms of the contemporary prison create persons who are ill-equipped to deal with life on the outside after release. 10 notes and 38 references