NCJ Number
84909
Date Published
1982
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Following a review of major internal and external factors affecting prison tension, this article discusses violent and nonviolent, collective and individual forms of coping with prison pressures.
Abstract
Research studies have shown that certain characteristics inherent in the prison environment contribute to pressures, notably loss of goods and services, liberty, heterosexual relationships, autonomy, and security. Additional elements influencing the prison climate are types of incentives used by prison officials to elicit cooperative behavior, sentencing disparities, uncertainties about release dates and criteria for early release, postrelease concerns, the increasing numbers of violent inmates in contemporary institutions, and correctional officers' attitudes. The summary of nonviolent coping strategies begins with those that require planning and patience -- litigation and grievance mechanisms. Individuals also cope through withdrawal into a clique, drugs, or protective segregation or by concentrating intensely on a particular activity such as physical exercise or work. Strikes represent a nonviolent collective action, but do not appear to resolve prison conditions or reduce tensions. Rebels who maintain self-confidence and autonomy by refusing to cooperate present another form of institutional adaptation. The violent style of coping among individuals of small groups may reduce the aggressor's stress, but increases tensions among other inmates. Riots are caused by a myriad of stressors, including the failure of other mechanisms to address stressful prison conditions. However, they may reduce tensions by bringing inmates' complaints to the foreground, initiating prison reforms, and giving inmates a greater sense of self-respect and autonomy. The paper contains 36 references. For related material, see NCJ 84908.