PRISON ORGANIZATIONS (FROM SOCIOLOGY OF CORRECTIONS - A BOOK OF READINGS 1977, BY ROBERT G. LEGER AND JOHN R. STRATTON - SEE NCJ-41800)

• NCJ Number: 41802
• Author(s): D R CRESSEY
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: John Wiley and Sons
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PATTERNS OF AUTHORITY AND PATTERNS OF COMMUNICATION AND DECISION MAKING ARE COMPARED AND CONTRASTED FOR THE PUNITIVE-CUSTODIAL INSTITUTION AND THE TREATMENT-ORIENTED INSTITUTION.

Abstract

IN THE PUNITIVE-CUSTODIAL PRISON, AUTHORITY OVER BOTH INMATES AND EMPLOYEES IS BASED ON A HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM OF RANKS RATHER THAN ON ORGANIZATION OF TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES. BOTH INMATES AND EMPLOYEES OPERATE UNDER A SYSTEM OF CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY UNDER WHICH ALL RULES ARE TO BE OBEYED WITHOUT QUESTION. AUTHORITY IN THE TREATMENT PRISON IS BASED MORE ON A PHILOSOPHY OF COOPERATION AND CONSENT. INMATES ARE EXPECTED TO SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO THE AUTHORITY OF TECHNICAL REHABILITATION EXPERTS, WHILE THE STAFF IS GOVERNED BY AUTHORITY WHICH IS BASED ON TECHNICAL COMPETENCE IN THE PROFESSIONAL FUNCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION. COMMUNICATION PATTERNS AND PATTERNS OF DECISION MAKING ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO AN ORGANIZATION'S AUTHORITY PATTERN. IN THE PUNITIVE-CUSTODIAL PRISON, EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS INMATES ARE DENIED EXTENSIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS. COMMUNICATION IS ALSO RESTRICTED. IN THE TREATMENT SITUATION, RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATION ARE MINIMAL, AND DECISION MAKING IS DECENTRALIZED....DMC