NCJ Number
89076
Date Published
1982
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Interviews conducted with female inmates from the Bedford Hills Prison in New York State between 1973 and 1978 revealed that major causes of stress for prisoners were conflicts between prisoners and guards, loss of adult status, attacks on self-image, and separation from children.
Abstract
Most women's prisons continue to reflect stereotyped sex roles and cultural expectations of caring and nurturing, although reforms were being implemented at Bedford Hills to expand vocational training programs and liberalize visiting policies. During the study period, prisoners also began to exhibit higher levels of political awareness. A frequently cited source of stress for Bedford Hills inmates was chaos and confusion stemming from perceived inconsistency in rule interpretation and enforcement. Many women released their built-up tension outwardly, aware that this was often self-destructive, while others withdrew. Inmates also complained that the guards provoked prisoners by asserting authority in arbitrary ways during routine supervisory activities and treated them as children. Approximately 60 percent of the prisoners had children under 12 years old. These women worried that their children were not receiving adequate care and would stop thinking of them as their mother. The process of change which was intended to improve prison life at Bedford Hills often provoked greater levels of stress and interpersonal conflict. Persuasive, paternalistic tactics were replaced by strict control policies, including the use of physical force. Many inmates felt that this was too high a price to pay for expanded correctional program opportunities. Some counseling and support groups were available, but tended to be overloaded by the magnitude of situational pressures. About 45 references and 11 footnotes are included.