NCJ Number
93292
Date Published
1983
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Victimization of inmates can and must be minimized even if it cannot be completely eliminated.
Abstract
Although some inmates portray themselves as victims of a discriminatory, uncaring society or of unjust laws, the inmates who are actually victims of crime are those who suffer injury to their bodies, their property, or their status by an intentional act or omission prohibited and punishable by law. Inmate victimizers are those whose acts or omissions result in such harm. Inmate victmization may be self-inflicted or may result from the actions of staff, visitors, or fellow inmates. Inmates also commit crimes against staff, outsiders, and the institution. Individual inmates have limited alternatives for dealing with their victimization. They may lodge complaints, fight back, seek placement in a protected situation, attempt escape, 'marry' a stronger inmate who will shield them, enlist the aid of prison reform groups, or file habeas corpus petitions alleging that their prison conditions constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Recommendations for institutional responses have included smaller institutions, higher ratios of staff to inmates, improved staff, a staff of investigators to deal with inmate crime, more accountability of prison administrators and staff, inmate involvement in institutional management, prison ombudsmen, accreditation of penal institutions, more intensive oversight, and reduction of overcrowding. Few of these recomendations have been implemented, however. Notes and a list of 94 references are listed.