Behind Bars: The Life of an Inmate Chapter 14

Prison Culture Total Institution- provides all the necessities for existence within prison walls Prisonization- process in which a new inmate learns the accepted norms and values of the prison culture

Prison Culture Identified patterns of prison behavior 1.Professional criminals-adapt by doing time, follow rules and do whatever is necessary to speed up release 2.State raised/frequently incarcerated juveniles-feel more comfortable in jail, established in power structure of jail 3.Self improvement-those who take advantage of resources to improve themselves for return to society; IE. Drug treatment/education 4.Disorganized inmates-suffer from mental illness, low IQ, unable to adapt to prison culture Used to identify security risks and further categorize inmates

Prison Culture Who is in prison? Aging prisoners High rates of recidivism, higher levels of murders/sex crimes committed by older offenders and our aging society as whole Sick inmate population More money spent on healthcare in prison=cuts to education and social programs Mentally ill inmates Major source of the increased healthcare costs

Prison Culture Rehab and Prison Programs Substance abuse treatment Strong link between crime and substance abuse IT WOULD COST $12.6 billion to treat all eligible prisoners Vocational and Educational programs Shown to save money on future criminal justice costs

Prison Violence Deprivation Model- explains high level of prison violence because inmates are deprived of freedom, consumer goods, sex, and other staples of life Violence used to establish hierarchy Deterrent against victimization Enhances self image Sexual relief in cases of rape Means of acquiring material goods

Prison Violence Relative deprivation- theory that inmate aggression is caused when freedoms and services once had are decreased or eliminated Race and Ethnicity Prisoners usually divide themselves by race Helps minority groups form an identity U.S. Supreme Court ended prison segregation because correctional officials would segregate prisoners as well

Prison Violence Prison gangs have contributed to prison violence Prisons developed Security Threat Groups (STG) Helped identify and respond to threats within prison Most instances these measures are punitive-solitary confinement Prison Rape It does occur, though stats are hard to come by Many prisons do not offer sufficient medical treatment and many suffer from rape trauma syndrome

Correctional Officers and Discipline Six general job categories of correctional officers Block officers Supervise cell blocks, maintain safety of prisoners, act as “counselors” Work detail supervisors Oversee the small groups of inmates working specific jobs in the prison Industrial Shop and school officers Ensure safety and minimize disturbances in the workshop/education programs Yard Officers Least seniority, most dangerous and stressful Tower guards Spend up to 8 hrs in a tower, isolated, many safety benefits Administration building assignments Oversee security at gates, paperwork

Correctional Officers and Discipline Discipline Sanctioning of prisoners Rule violations, personal hygiene, dress codes Can receive verbal warnings or more serious punishments (loss of privileges for visitation or solitary) Use of Force justification-must be used in good faith to maintain order or safety Self defense Defense of another prisoner or prison employee Upholding rules Preventing a crime Preventing an escape effort

Correctional Officers and Discipline “Hands off Doctrine”-unwritten judicial policy that favors non interference by the courts in the administration of prisons and jails 13 TH Amendment-”no slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States” PRISONERS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME GUARANTEED RIGHTS AS OTHER AMERICANS

Correctional Officers and Discipline Supreme Court established standards for prisoners rights Deliberate indifference-prison officials are aware of harmful conditions but do nothing to remedy the problem Identifiable Human needs-basic necessities that correctional facilities are required by the constitution to provide Food Warmth Exercise 2011 California case-33,000 inmates released by mid 2013 for lack of mental and physical health care caused by overcrowding

Correctional Officers and Discipline The First amendment can only be limited if it affects prison security

Women’s Prisons First women’s prison opened in 1839 in New York Currently only about 100 women’s facilities in U.S. History of abuse One study indicates 55% of women have been abused as opposed to 13% of men

Women’s Prisons Offenses of women in jail or prison Local jails-32% property crimes 29% Drug offenses 21% public order crimes 18% violent crimes State prisons- 36% violent 29% property 28% drug offenses 7% public order Federal prisons- 64% drug 22% property crimes 9% Violent crimes 5% public order crimes

Women’s Prisons 25% of women in state prisons have been diagnosed with mental health issues 7 in 10 women in prison have at least one minor child 2/3 of women are 500 or more miles from home Women’s treasured contraband are clothing, food, and makeup Women create social networks that resemble high school cliques

Women’s Prisons Women’s prisons have low rates of race based, gang related physical aggression Most abusive sexual victimization is unwanted touching

Parole and Release from Prison Parole Conditional release of an inmate before sentence is expired and based on three concepts Grace-no right to release but the government has granted privilege Contract of consent-prisoner enters into contract and abides by certain conditions Custody-extension of corrections Expiration release Release of inmate at end of sentence with no further supervision Pardon Act of executive clemency that overturns a conviction and removes crime from persons history

Parole and Release from Prison Furlough Temporary release from prison for purposes of vocational or educational training; eases shock of release Parole boards-appointed civilians Decide what offenders are placed on parole Determine conditions of parole Discharge offender when conditions have been met Decide on punishment for violations Parole grant hearing Reviews info, meets offender, hears testimony

Parole and Release from Prison Mandatory release Release from prison when offender has served the full length of his or her sentence minus good time Truth in sentencing Require offenders to serve statutorily determined sentences (85%) Parole guidelines Standards used to mark risk of offender to determine if there will be recidivism Parole contract A written agreement between the state and offender

Parole and Release from Prison Parole revocation When offender breaks conditions of parole and is processed back to prison 1972, “Morrissey vs. Brewer”, gave parolees right to a parole revocation hearing

Re-Entry into Society Prisoner reentry Prepares inmates for successful return to the community and reduce criminal activity after release Barriers to reentry Rules of society vs rules of prison Tech changes Inability to get a job, housing, loan Contributes to relapse or recidivism

Re-Entry into Society Destistence Criminal activity decreases and reintegration into society increases Work release programs Temporary release for purposes of employment; return to prison after work day is complete Halfway House Offender lives there as part of reentry program

Release of Sex offenders Notification laws Requires local law authorities to alert the public when a sex offender is released Some required to notify state, while others required to notify and present themselves to local Sheriff or superintendent of the public school district Conditions of release No contact with children under the age of 16 Continue psychiatric treatment Obtain permission to change residence Stay distance from parks or schools while children present Cannot own toys Cannot have a job or activity that involves children

Release of Sex offenders Civil Confinement Laws which allow corrections officials to keep sex offenders locked up in psychiatric hospitals