CJ 130 Introduction to Corrections

Seminar 6

Welcome to Unit 6: Institutional Security and violence

SEMINAR OVERVIEW

Welcome Causes of Prison Violence 1. Before the Riot 2. During the Riot 3. After the Riot Reducing Prison Violence Correctional Programs and Services Attica: Problems and Solutions

Information Quiz Questions

More than--------------of all inmates are being held in large, maximum-security prisons.

One-fourthOne-thirdHalfThree-fourths

The----------------------inmates are the ones who report that they have more difficulty with correctional officers.

YoungerOlderMaleFemale

The------------------------predominant emotion that male inmates must confront in the early part of their prison term is:

DepressionLonelinessHateBoredom

The change from the “old inmate” culture to the “new inmate” culture seems to have been precipitated by the-------------------in the 1960s and 1970s.

Get tough policyFlower power movementMove to the hands-on doctrineBlack Power movement

Most inmates with AIDS are in the------------------population.

General inmateAdministrative segregationInmate hospitalSpecial AIDS

Approximately how many inmates escape from prison each year?

5001,2004,5007,000

Despite good intentions, rehabilitative treatment within prison walls is extremely difficult to achieve.

True or False

Rape as a means of expressing dominance, power, and anger is now an accepted prison norm.

True or False

Emotional harassment, physical assaults, rapes, stabbings, and homicides are part of prison life. What security level facilities usually have these kinds of problems?

What causes prison violence?

Causes of Prison Violence

Violent Characteristics of InmatesSocial FactorsStructural FactorsInstitutional Factors

Violent Characteristics of Inmates

YouthLower class attitudesFear of humiliationHistory of violent behavior

Social Factors of Prison Violence

Racial UnrestPresence of GangsDrug Use

Racial Unrest

Magnified racial tensionRacially motivated gang activities Common bond—races tend to join

together

Gangs

Almost all states have prison gangs Gang rivalries are carried over from the

streets Spread of gang activity with transferred

prisoners Economic Victimization Can dominate prison and create ongoing

problems

Drug Use

Link between drugs and violent behavior in general society carries over into prison

Easy access to drugsProblem sometimes ignored or staff

can even be involved.

Institutional and Structural Factors

OvercrowdingPrison staff/prisoner ratioDirty conditionsLack of privacyLack of jobsTension Indefensible space

There are six different scenarios that could lead to an inmate assault on staff: •Officer’s command: Assault followed explicit command to inmate.•Protest: Assault occurred because victim considers himself victimized by unjust or inconsistent treatment by a staff member.•Search: Assault occurred during search of an inmate’s body or cell. •Inmates’ fight: Assault resulted from officer intervening in fight between inmates.•Movement: Assault took place during the movement of inmates from one part of the prison to another.•Contraband: Assault followed a staff member suspecting an inmate of possessing

Reducing Prison Violence

How can we reduce prison violence?

Is some violence inherent to these facilities or can putting certain policies in place stop the violence?

Attica: Problems and Solutions

How could the tragedy surrounding the events at Attica have been prevented?

How have prison policies changed since Attica?

Do you think prisons should strive to hire guards of various backgrounds who speak a variety of languages?

The abnormal social environment and institutional and structural imperfections combine to produce violent surroundings within the contemporary prison. Overcrowding, the drug appetites of prisoners, and racial and gang skirmishes seem to be the most important factors that create an incendiary situation. If inmates can be tough enough, they will turn themselves into the worst kind of predators, forcing themselves on the weak and enjoying the spoils of their predation.

WRAP UP

Any Questions/Concerns?

Next Seminar Topic: Juvenile vs. Adult Prisons and Male vs. Female Prisoners