Race Relationships in Prison - A Critical Social Work Concern (From Social Work in Juvenile and Criminal Justice Settings, P 363-372, 1983, A R Roberts, ed. - See NCJ-91641)

• NCJ Number: 91656
• Author(s): J E Palenski
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper identifies factors in the creation of prison racial conflict and describes aspects of the social worker's role in dealing with such conflict.

Abstract

Since the latter part of the 1960's, some minority inmates have become sensitive to the racial injustices of the world as well as to the important role race plays in daily survival. Given the dehumanizing and degrading circumstances of prison life, it is not surprising that the cultivation of racial pride and identity is a prevalent coping mechanism. Often, racial identity is the only source of communal identity and support during incarceration. In such an environment, an important role for prison social workers is to address racial tensions through conflict resolution techniques. Because social workers typically have information on the problems and preferences of inmates, they can use this information in the resolution of conflicts. A mediation approach, whereby the parties to the conflict construct an agreement that will resolve the problem, promises to be most effective. The social worker's role can be that of facilitating noncoercive problemsolving. A promising strategy is the use of volunteer inmates to inform 'new' inmates about racial violence and reprisal in prison. Instruction in behavioral options for dealing with tensions without violence would then be offered. Twenty-five references are provided.