NCJ Number
12208
Date Published
1970
Length
267 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF PRISON EXPERIENCES AS SEEN FROM THE POLAR POSITIONS OF AN HABITUAL CRIMINAL AND A PRISON COUNSELOR, AS A STUDY OF EFFECTS OF PERSONAL/ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS.
Abstract
ALTERNATING CHAPTERS PRESENT THE DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS OF AN INMATE AND A PRISON COUNSELOR TOWARD PRISON LIFE, IN NARRATIVE DISCOURSES ON SUCH SUBJECTS AS THE INTERVIEW (THE 'CON'), THE GROUP MEETING (THE 'STORY HOUR'), AND PAROLE (THE 'CUT-LOOSE'). THE EDITOR INTERPRETS THESE NARRATIVES AS REFLECTING THE OPPOSING YET INTERDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVES AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INMATES AND PRISON OFFICIALS. HE PROPOSES THAT REHABILITATION IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG CASTE SYSTEM OPERATING WITHIN PRISONS AND THAT REHABILITATION EFFORTS, AND EVEN COMMUNICATION, MUST FAIL UNLESS THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND POWER FACTORS WITHIN PRISONS ARE CONSIDERED. PRISON LIFE IS PRESENTED AS A MANIPULATIVE GAME PLAYED BY BOTH INMATES AND OFFICIALS.