NCJ Number
139439
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 209-219
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Findings presented in this paper suggest that, contrary to Goffman's description of staff-inmate relations in total institutions, social relations between prison staff members and prisoners are diverse and not necessarily fixed and/or hostile.
Abstract
Staff-inmate interaction was evaluated using data obtained over a 1.5-year period from participant observation by a clinical criminologist, an occupational therapist, and a criminology student. In addition, questionnaires were completed by 49 staff members and 51 inmates. Findings indicated that the staff-inmate relationship could be measured by such variables as staff perception of inmates, staff orientation, and social distance. Only about 20 percent of staff were found to be of the punitive type, and about 18 percent were of the integrative type. Because differences may occur between total institutions with regard to staff-inmate relations, further study is recommended to identify what factors or intervening variables can explain the different relationship modes. 27 references and 5 tables