NCJ Number
178483
Journal
Journal of Prisoners on Prisons Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: 1998 Pages: 43-51
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper argues that, contrary to public opinion, prisons are not only places of punishment, but also serve to victimize both prisoners undergoing punishment and staff members who deliver this punishment.
Abstract
If the purpose of prison is to modify inmates' behavior so they can live responsibly and lawfully in society, then the current corrections philosophy of making inmates as miserable as possible while in prison is failing. By and large, the personal history of those in prison has been filled with abuse of various types, psychological as well as physical. Their victimizations early in life have been instrumental in influencing them to become victimizers. Continued abuse by the criminal justice system only reinforces and perpetuates the behaviors that have stemmed from past abuse. Punishment is not abuse per se, however. It is when the people who are charged with administering punishment go beyond their mandate that they become abusers. It is then that the punishment itself becomes abusive and prisoners become victims. The very fact of imprisonment is sufficient punishment. The environment while in prison should not be abusive but a constructive influence that focuses on providing influences that will modify the maladaptive behavior of inmates. 2 references