NCJ Number
16562
Journal
CRIME AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1974) Pages: 8-17
Date Published
1974
Length
10 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF THE REHABILITATIVE POSSIBILITIES OF RACIAL-ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION IN PRISONS, WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE IMPACT OF SUCH IDENTIFICATION ON THE OPERATION OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
LIMITATIONS IN CURRENT ATTEMPTS TO FOSTER NON-CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATIONS IN INMATES ARE REVIEWED. THE AUTHORS STATE THAT THE ANTI-CRIMINAL VALUES OF THE GROUPS ESTABLISHED BY CORRECTIONAL WORKERS ARE AT THE SAME TIME VALUES SUPPORTIVE OF THE ESTABLISHED SOCIAL ORDER, WHICH PLACES LITTLE VALUE ON PEOPLE IN THE INMATE'S POSITION. THUS, THESE IDENTIFICATIONS ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO SELF-RESPECT AND CONSEQUENTLY ARE NOT ADOPTED AS READILY AS WAS HOPED. SEVERAL SITUATIONS ARE CITED IN WHICH INCREASING RACIAL-ETHNIC AWARENESS BY INMATES HAS HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT IN REDUCING THE CRIMINAL ORIENTATION OF MANY MINORITY GROUP INMATES. THE PROBLEMS OF RACIAL-ETHNIC VIOLENCE WHICH COULD ARISE IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS A RESULT OF GREATER MINORITY GROUP IDENTIFICATION ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE, HOWEVER, THAT GREATER RACIAL HARMONY MAY RESULT FROM SUCH IDENTIFICATIONS, SINCE MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS MAY VIEW WHITE PRISONERS AS VICTIMS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AS WELL. FINALLY, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT INSTEAD OF RESISTING THE INTRODUCTION OF CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE RACIAL-ETHNIC SOLIDARITY, PRISON OFFICIALS SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEM AS A REHABILITATIVE MEASURE.