NCJ Number
44422
Date Published
1976
Length
19 pages
Annotation
A SOCIOLOGIST AND FORMER CONVICT DESCRIBES HOW OFFENDERS ADAPT TO PRISON LIFE, WITH REFERENCE TO CATEGORIES OF PRISON CAREERS AND QUOTES FROM INMATES.
Abstract
NOT ALL PRISONERS COPE WITH THEIR SITUATION. SOME COMMIT SUICIDE OR SINK INTO PSYCHOSIS. MOST OF THOSE WHO DO COPE FALL INTO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR: JAILING; DOING TIME; OR GLEANING. JAILING INVOLVES CUTTING ONESELF OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND BUILDING A LIFE IN PRISON. THOSE WHO IDENTIFY WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND WISH TO MAINTAIN THEIR BASIC LIFE PATTERNS AND IDENTITIES VIEW PRISON AS A TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION AND SPEAK OF 'DOING TIME.' THOSE WHO WISH TO CHANGE THEIR LIFESTYLES ENGAGE IN 'GLEANING' ACTIVITIES AND VIEW PRISON AS A OPPORTUNITY TO SOMEHOW BETTER THEMSELVES. NOT INCLUDED IN THESE CATEGORIES IS THE DISORGANIZED CRIMINAL, WHOSE WEAKER COMMITMENTS TO VALUES OR CONCEPTS OF SELF MAKE HIM MOST RESPONSIVE TO PRISON PROGRAMS, TO DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION, AND TO OTHER FORCES OUTSIDE HIS CONTROL. RACE AND ETHNICITY ARE OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE PRISON SOCIAL WORLD. BEYOND THE PARTICULAR CRIMINAL OR RACIAL-ETHNIC IDENTITY ACQUIRED OR MAINTAINED BY THE CONVICT IN PRISON AND BEYOND THE CHANGES IN DIRECTION RESULTING FROM INDIVIDUAL PRISON 'STRATEGIES' IS THE CONVICT PERSPECTIVE OR IDENTITY, WHICH IS SHARED TO SOME EXTENT BY ALL FELONS.