PRISON AS AN ENVIRONMENT - THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS (FROM THE ROLE OF THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST, 1980, BY GERALD COOKE - SEE NCJ-67157)

• NCJ Number: 67166
• Author(s): K G Wilson
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT IS DESCRIBED FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF SEVERAL INMATES AND A PSYCHOLOGIST. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ARE GIVEN.

Abstract

THE WORST FEATURES OF A MAXIMUM SECURITY SETTING ARISE FROM THE TOTAL LACK OF SECURITY FROM THE CONSTANT THREAT OF VIOLENCE BY FELLOW INMATES. THE RIGID SCHEDULE, THE MONOTONY, AND THE FEAR OF PRISON VIOLENCE ARE ALL FACTORS EXPRESSED IN INMATES' DESCRIPTIONS OF PRISON LIFE. INMATES ALSO COMMENT ON SEXUAL ABUSE IN PRISONS, INADEQUATE PAY FOR LABOR PERFORMED, AND THE DAILY INDIGNITIES PRISONERS FACE. A PRISON PSYCHOLOGIST VIEWS INSTITUTIONAL LIFE AS ILLOGICAL, IRRATIONAL, AND INSANE. THE PSYCHOLOGIST'S EFFORTS TO HELP HIS CLIENTS ARE OFTEN FRUSTRATED BY PRISON STAFF OR INMATES THEMSELVES. THIS BLEAK PICTURE OF THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT IS ACCEPTED BY THE AUTHOR, WHO RECOMMENDS VARIOUS CHANGES, INCLUDING NORMALIZING ALL-MALE ENVIRONMENTS BY INTRODUCING FEMALES INTO JUVENILE AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS, INCREASING THE ROLE OF THE INSTITUTION IN THE PAROLE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS, EMPHASIZING DIGNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY BY MAKING A MAN'S BEHAVIOR IN PRISON THE DECIDING FACTOR IN DETERMINING HIS RELEASE, AND MAKING TREATMENT AND POSTRELEASE ADJUSTMENT (SOCIAL REINTEGRATION) THE FOCUS OF THE INSTITUTION. TO DATE, TREATMENT ON A LARGE SCALE HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED IN ANY CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. A LIST OF NINE REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LGR)