Penology CJ 207 Chapter Seven Jail and Prison Inmates.

Penology CJ 207 Chapter Seven Jail and Prison Inmates

Objectives Provide a sense of who are the nation’s and prison inmates
Introduce the culture and everyday life of those imprisoned by local, state and federal authorities Provide a framework for understanding the violence found in many correctional institutions, from the exploitation or individual inmates to prison riots Provide a baseline of understanding of the breadth and depth of issues confronting those who work on a daily basis with prison and jail inmates

Characteristics of Jail Inmates
Local Jail Inmates 40% of jail inmates are unconvicted of any crime Witnesses to crimes Persons of interest Mentally ill Awaiting trial, unable to make bond The other 60% Convicted of misdemeanors Felons waiting to be transferred

Local Jail Inmates In 2005 the nation’s local jails held about 747,529 inmates and 72,000 served their sentence outside the jail Weekend programs Electronic monitoring Home detention Day reporting Community service Treatment programs

Local Jail Inmates In 2005 overall jail incarceration rate was 252/100,000, which is twice as much as in 1985 44% were White (166/100,000) 40% was Black (800/100,000) Double what it was in 1985 15% was Hispanic (268/100,000) Triple what it was in 1985 88% were men (447/100,000) 12% were women (63/100,000) Review the pie charts on page 186

Characteristics of Prison Inmates
State Prisoners 45% of the inmates were Black 37% of the inmates were White 17.5% of the inmates were Hispanic 94% of the inmates were male

Private Sector Prisons There were 264 of them in the year 2000 46% were Black 33% were White 17% were Hispanic 3% were other races 96% were male

State Prisoners The average state prisoner is a 32 year old Black male 57% have never been married 26% are divorced, separated or widowed 17% are married 5% are citizens of another country Most have 12 years of schooling 15% have more than a HS education

State Prisoners 56% reported using drugs or alcohol one month before committing their crime 33% were using drugs at the time of their arrest for the current offense The proportion of drug offenders in state prison in 2003 was 20% (less than federal prisoner rates) 52% of the state prison inmates were violent offenders This is was a 75% increase from 1995 to 2003

State Prisoners Four key factors led to the increase in the early 1980s There was a large increase in the number of violent and other crimes committed The number of parole violators returned to prison increase 50% The number of annual releases dropped during this time States began to practice “Truth In Sentencing” policies

State Prisoners “Truth In Sentencing” policies In 1994, Congress authorized incentive grants to states that conformed to the 85% standard States had to require that persons convicted of certain violent crimes serve not less than 85% of their sentence The states receive additional funds to build state jails and prisons By 1998, the average sentence served by state prisoners was six months longer than in 1990

Federal Prisoners 40% of federal inmates were Black 56% of federal inmates were White Non Hispanic Whites and Hispanic Whites were not separated 24% were White 32% of federal inmates were Hispanic 3% of federal inmates were either Native American or Asian 93% of federal inmates were male The average age of a federal inmate was 37 years old

Federal Prisoners 70% of federal prisoners were U.S. 17% were citizens of Mexico 1 to 2% were citizens of Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic 40% of federal prisoners had never been married 28% were divorced, separated or widowed 30% were married Most had 12 years of high school 26% had some college

Federal Prisoners The number of federal prisoners has grown dramatically: In 1980, 20,000 inmates In 2005, 166,173 inmates 700% increase What was the reason for the increase? Drug Offenses played a primary role in the growth of the prison population In 1980, drug offenders accounted for 25% of all sentenced inmates, by 2005 drug offenders accounted for 53% of all sentenced inmates

Federal Prisoners Why the increase? In the 1970s, President Nixon declared a “War on Drugs” The war was continued by President Reagan in the 1980s The war front was on international smuggling operations In 1991, 18% of the federal prisoners were not U.S. citizens, by 2005 this number climbed to 29%

Federal Prisoners Why the increase? Secondly, Congress enacted the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, the “Truth in Sentencing Law” which mandated specific sentencing guidelines for federal judges Convicted offenders must serve 85% of their sentence Increased the time served 75% Drug offenses were included in the specific crimes

Federal Prisoners Why the increase? Finally, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 19,572 people Half had violated U.S immigration laws The others were being held pending trial on criminal charges or had been convicted on crimeal charges

Jail and Prison Culture
Clemmer and the Prison Culture Clemmer described a prison community with a powerful inmate subculture, complete with rules and regulations, values and prejudices “Prisonization” is the mechanism by which one becomes a member of the subculture It is the process through which prison inmates take on in greater or less degree the folkways, mores, customs and general culture of the penitentiary

Clemmer and the Prison Culture Clemmer also said that “Prisonization” is not the same in every prisoner “Prisonization” is highest in inmates with: Long sentences Unstable personalities originating in pre prison life Lack of positive relationships outside the prison walls A readiness and capacity for integration into the inmate subculture

Clemmer and the Prison Culture “Prisonization” is highest in inmates with: Complete acceptance of an inmate code as a reflection of the inmate subculture’s norms and values Living in the same cell or in close proximity with others of like persuasion Participation in gambling and homosexual behavior

Characteristics of Inmate Subculture Clemmer said the “Prison Subculture” is negativistic Its social venom directed equally at the prison staff and the free society Whatever prison authorities or society values, the prison subculture devalues

Characteristics of Inmate Subculture Inmates new to the system are called “Fish” This term is used to indicate their low and easily exploited status More experienced inmates may take them aside and explain the facts of prison life If they are weak, they will be exploited If they are strong, they may rise to positions of leadership Most just try to stay out of trouble and do their time

The Inmate Code The attitudinal and behavioral norms of prison subculture make up the “Inmate Code” Ohlin says the code represents an organization of criminal values in clear cut opposition to the values of conventional society and to prison officials as that society’s agents

The Inmate Code Sykes and Messinger’s Five Basic Tenets of the Code Never interfere with the interest of other inmates Don’t betray other inmates Mind your own business Be loyal to other cons Don’t lose your head Be cool Don’t exploit other inmates Keep your word Pay your debts

The Inmate Code Sykes and Messinger’s Five Basic Tenets of the Code Don’t be weak If you look to the authorities for help or are easily taken advantage of you deserve it Punish violators quickly and severely Don’t need “Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” suspicion is enough to act upon

Inmate Roles and Adaptive Behaviors Schrag says inmates play four different roles: “Right Guys” follow all the rules of the code, are the most prisonized of all the inmates “Con Politicians” are inmates with money and influence with other inmates and officers With skill and manipulation they get whatever they want

Inmate Roles and Adaptive Behaviors Schrag says inmates play four different roles: “Outlaws” rely on force and physical violence to get what they want from other inmates Some inmates need “Outlaws” for protection, but most avoid them “Square Johns” follow the prison rules, take part in institutional programming, ignore all the inmate rules but snitching Least “prisonized”

Inmate Roles and Adaptive Behaviors Irwin stated inmates also engage in strategies or adaptive behaviors to survive “Doing Time” inmates view prison as a temporary break in their career that they take in stride They keep busy, make prison life as palatable as possible and keep out of trouble These are professional criminals

Inmate Roles and Adaptive Behaviors Irwin’s adaptive behaviors to survive “Jailing” don’t think of the world outside as home They grew up incarcerated They were wards of the state and prison is where they feel most comfortable These inmates look for positions of power and authority Would you say these inmates are: Right Guys, Con Politicians, Outlaws or Square Johns?

Inmate Roles and Adaptive Behaviors Irwin’s adaptive behaviors to survive “Gleaning” refers to getting as much out of prison as possible Learning to read, vocational training, personal growth… Taking part in physical activities weightlifting, body shaping… The goals is self improvement Irwin further stated that inmates may be using two or all of these strategies in combination

Sex and Prison Life Studies revealed that males were more likely to express homophobic attitudes, but Blacks were more tolerant of homosexuals than were White inmates Sykes and Messinger divided inmates into two categories “Punks” are more passive participants and have lower status “Wolves” are more aggressive, who rarely view themselves as homosexuals

Sex and Prison Life Sex in males prisons may be: Consensual An economic exchange (prostitution) Some turn tricks for survival For some it is for status A forced act of violence Forcing others shows strength and masculinity

Sex and Prison Life Sex in females prisons is usually voluntary Stud broads, butches or pimps assume the masculine role Femmes, broads or foxes take on the feminine roles Prostitution also takes place Chippies or tricks sell themselves to stud broads Females inmates frequently switch roles

Sex and Prison Life These liaisons and extended families give female inmates: Security, companionship, affection, attention, status, prestige and acceptance

Sex and Prison Life A study of 226 wardens found that: Inmate sexual activities were rare Females and non White wardens reported that a higher percentage of inmates had consensual sex Reasons: Few reports of sexual assaults make it to the wardens desk Some choose not to acknowledge the assaults

Sex and Prison Life Correctional officers reports are subject to over and under reporting They may too embarrassed to confront the situation Difficulty in determining if the act is consensual or not They may believe that homosexuality is a functional and situational alternative to other sexual outlets Some officers may see forced sexual encounters as inmates getting what they deserve

Jail and Prison Origins of Inmates’ Social Organizations
Where Does this Couture Come From? Prisoners are isolated from most beneficial social contact with the outside world They can’t form relationships with people who are not criminals The “Deprivation Hypothesis” says that prison culture including its code and inmate role types, results directly from the act of incarceration and the pains or imprisonment U Shaped

Jail and Prison Origins of Inmates’ Social Organizations
Where Does this Couture Come From? The “Pains of Imprisonment” describes the inmate’s emotional reaction to the loss of liberty, goods and services, heterosexual relationships, autonomy, freedom of movement and security This leads to “Solidary Opposition” which says that inmates attempt to neutralize the emotional consequences of imprisonment by joining to form their own community (misery loves company)

Jail and Prisons Origins of Inmates’ Social Organizations
Where Does this Couture Come From? The “Cultural Importation Hypothesis” says that inmates enter with values and experiences Inmate culture has its own beliefs, attitudes and lifestyles just as in the outside world Prisoners bring the inmate code and subculture with them

Violence in Correctional Institutions
Inmate Violence If you put many people, half of whom have already shown they are prone to violence and other antisocial tendencies, into small and inhospitable spaces, is it any surprise that they will engage in: Violent behavior towards each other Violent behavior towards the correctional officers Violent behavior towards the physical environment itself

Physical Violence In 2002, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that there were 978 deaths in local jails AIDS 509 Suicide 314 Intoxication 54 Homicides 20 (2%)

Physical Violence Injuries from fights or assaults were more common Males 1 in 7 Females 1 in 10 Younger than 25 1 in 5 Safer than the streets

Physical Violence In 2003, President Bush signed the Prison Rape Elimination Act which mandated a new collection system on the incidence of sexual violence in correctional facilities In 2005, jails reported 1,700 allegations of sexual violence 336 of these were found to be true

Physical Violence Jail inmates also assault the staff In 1999, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported there were 9,300 This is 18/1,000 4 staff members died as a result of these assaults

Physical Violence In 2002, prisons reported 2,946 deaths As in jails most deaths occurred because of illness, accidents, intoxication… (2,485) Aids caused 245 Suicide caused 168 Homicide caused 48 (2%) And this number is on the decline In 1980, 54/100,000 In 1990, 8/100,000 In 2002, 4/100,000

Psychological Victimization Inmates are terrorized by other inmates and spend years in fear of harm Some request segregation Some lock themselves in Some stay to themselves Researchers suggest that this behavior may be do to crowding Research in rats show that they become violent when crowded and may eat their was to a manageable number

Economic Exploitation The “Legitimate Inmate Economy” is the commissary The “Sub Rosa Inmate Economy” is a marketplace that exists outside the legitimate inmate economy The “Gray Market” consists of drugs, sex, gambling, debts… The “Black Market” consists of illegal items (contraband) Where do cigarettes, posters and rock hammers fit into the above?

Riots and Other Disturbances A “Riot” is a collective attempt by inmates to take over part or all of the prison Riots may be expressive (spontaneous) Riots may be instrumental (planned with some goal in mind)

History of Contemporary Prison Riots The Battle of Alcatraz 1946 A failed escape plan resulted in inmates taking control over a cellblock The Army, Marines, Coast Guard and correctional officers used various types of lethal weapons to retake the prison 3 inmates and two guards died 1 inmate and 14 guards were injured

History of Contemporary Prison Riots The Attica Prison (1971) uprising was the bloodiest encounter between two groups of Americans in the 1900s NYS Police retook the prison 10 hostages (COs) and 29 inmates died 3 hostages (COs), 85 inmates and 1 trooper were injured Inmates killed 1 hostage and 3 inmates The lives of hostage and inmates were of the same importance

History of Contemporary Prison Riots Santa Fe Penitentiary (1980) 33 inmates were killed Snitches or grudge killings Inmate sodomized and assaulted 11 guards Correctional Officers, state police and National Guardsmen took back the prison Overcrowded conditions led to the riot, led to a 20 year consent decree (federal government took over)

Explaining Prison Riots “Frustration Riots” in the 1940s and 50s occur because of: Inmate culture v. prison authorities Failed treatment programs Crowded living conditions “Race Riots” in the 1960s occur because of: Racial inequality both outside and inside the prison Religious freedoms (Black Muslims)

Explaining Prison Riots “Political Riots” in the 1960s and 70s occurred because of: Inmate Manifestos and demands made of prison officials Racial and political concerns Attica in 1971 “Rage Riots” in the 1970s and beyond occur because of: Inmate frustration with mistreatment, inmate conflicts, prison rules, retaliation… Santa Fe Riot in 1980

Inmate Issues Prison Gangs
Prison gangs are not part of the traditional inmate subculture They are cliques and informal groups organized principally or even exclusively on racial or ethnic bases The Mexican Mafia La Nuestra Familia The Aryan brotherhood The Black Guerrilla Family The Texas Syndicate Read Box 7.3 page 208

Inmate Issues Prison Gangs Require murder or blood initiations
All have ties to gangs outside of prison The American Correctional Association calls them “Security Threat Groups” and found them in 40 state prisons systems and the federal Bureau of Prisons 1,153 different gangs 46,190 members 6% of the inmate population

Inmate Issues Threat to Prison Safety and Security
Prison gangs have replaced the solidary inmate social system and that has created many problems for prison officials You’re either with us or against us Gangs are also a source of much of the prison violence Riots and prison disturbances create a vacuum that new gangs are ready to fill “Building Tenders” were inmates that had informal social control of inmates in the Texas prison system

Inmate Issues Responding to Prison Gangs Connecticut’s Response
Inmates were reclassified to a higher security level, a “Closed Custody Unit” which created cultural sensitivity and harmonious living Asked to sign gang renunciation letter of intent Squads now engage in daily activities as a group (they have to get along) Programs on “Anger and Violence Management”

Inmate Issues Responding to Prison Gangs California’s Response
Inmates are sent to different institutions Texas’ Response Inmate gang members were housed in separate facilities Some states created “Gang Free Facilities” All gang members are shipped out to other facilities Read Box 7.4 page 211

Inmate Issues Jailhouse Suicides
In jails, suicide is the second leading cause of death, after illness Although there are twice the number of persons in prison as in jails, the number dying by suicide is half that reported for jails Jail suicides have declined 129/100,000 in 1983 47/100,000 in 2002

Half of all suicides occur within the first week of jail incarceration 1 in 7 on the first day Young, White, males, charged with rape or kidnapping had the highest rates Drug dealers had the lowest rates

Prison suicides were less frequent than jail suicides Most occurred after 23 months of incarceration The profiles is the same for jail suicides Young, White, males, convicted of violent crimes Drug dealers had the lowest

Topic Goes Here Subtopic Goes Here

Villain Subtitle Goes Here.

Backdrops: - These are full sized backdrops, just scale them up!
- Can be Copy-Pasted out of Templates for use anywhere!

Penology CJ 207 Chapter Seven Jail and Prison Inmates.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Penology CJ 207 Chapter Seven Jail and Prison Inmates."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Penology CJ 207 Chapter Seven Jail and Prison Inmates.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Penology CJ 207 Chapter Seven Jail and Prison Inmates."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback