TEAR DOWN THE WALLS? SOME FUNCTIONS OF PRISONS

• NCJ Number: 31000
• Journal: Crime and Delinquency Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1975) Pages: 360-372
• Author(s): C E REASONS; R L KAPLAN
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF PRISONS TO DETERMINE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FUNCTIONS OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH SERVE TO MAINTAIN THE PRISON SYSTEM IN ITS PRESENT FORM.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS IDENTIFY THE FOUR MANIFEST FUNCTIONS OF PRISONS AS REFORMATION, INCAPACITATION, RETRIBUTION, AND DETERRENCE. ELEVEN LARGELY UNINTENDED AND GENERALLY UNRECOGNIZED FUNCTIONS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THESE LATENT FUNTIONS INCLUDE MAINTENANCE OF A CRIME SCHOOL, POLITICIZATION, SELF-ENHANCEMENT, JOB PROVISION, SATISFACTION OF AUTHORITARIAN NEEDS, SLAVE LABOR, REDUCTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT RATES, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, CONVENIENT THEATER OF OPERATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS, SAFETY VALVE FOR RACIAL TENSIONS, AND A FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL. THESE LATENT FUNCTIONS ARE CITED AS THE CAUSE FOR PERPETUATING THE PRISON SYSTEM.