NCJ Number
28913
Date Published
1975
Length
347 pages
Annotation
BASED ON OVER 600 INTERVIEWS AND RELATED BACKGROUND MATERIAL, THIS BOOK EXAMINES THE HARMFUL IMPACT OF INCARCERATION ON INDIVIDUALS AND THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ACTS COMMITTED BY MEN AND WOMEN IN PRISON.
Abstract
FOLLOWING AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER ON THE SCOPE AND METHODS OF THE RESEARCH, THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK PRESENTS THE MAJOR THEMES OF COPING THAT EMERGED FROM THE STUDY - THE FUNDAMENTAL CONCERNS OF PEOPLE UNDER STRESS (POTENCY, FEAR, NEED FOR SUPPORT) AS THEY ARE MANIFESTED IN DIFFICULTIES WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, WITH PERCEPTION OF THE SELF AND OTHERS, AND WITH IMPULSE MANAGEMENT. PART TWO TAKES UP THE QUESTIONS OF HOW TYPICAL ARE INMATES WHO INJURE THEMSELVES AND IN WHAT WAYS THEY DIFFER FROM THEIR PEERS; MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN RISK AND IN THEMES OF COPING ARE SHOWN TO BE RELATED TO AGE, SEX, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES WITH DRUGS AND PERSONAL VIOLENCE, AND BOTH PRE- AND POST-SENTENCING INCARCERATION. DETAILED PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSIES OF MEN WHO ENDED THEIR LIVES IN PRISON CELLS ARE PRESENTED IN PART THREE, PROVIDING A VIEW OF THE PROCESS OF HUMAN BREAKDOWN AS IT UNFOLDS OVER TIME. THE FINAL CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE INTERVENTION IMPLICATIONS OF VARIOUS INMATE PSYCHOLOGICAL CRISES. A TABLE IS INCLUDED WHICH LISTS THE TYPES OF CRISES, THE ASSOCIATED INTERVENTION GOAL, THE THERAPEUTIC SETTING AND PROCESS, AND THE PRIMARY INTERVENTION AGENTS (PROFESSIONAL STAFF, NONPROFESSIONAL STAFF, PEERS, ETC.). (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)