Cultural Differences In The United States And Federal Prisons

1000 Words2 Pages

The United States in its endeavors to maintain social order and promote social stability. Has come to a crossroads where 2.2 million individuals are incarcerated. Of the 1.6 million inmates in state and federal prisons, a tenth are serving life sentences. Evidence that the United States holds a prison industrial complex. This fixation on incarceration is prompted by high crime rates and tough sentencing rules. Different countries hold different views on how to address deviant behavior and criminal activity. There are distinct differences and approaches each country will use, such as restorative justice models, rehabilitation, or punishment. Even with the support of globalization, the United States has not attempted to incorporate other approaches …show more content…

This subpopulation has come to experience a myriad of adversities and discrimination. There has been a divide within the prison system. Two subcultures have been produced: the elderly population and the non-elderly population. Cultural differentialism can offer insight as to why conflicts are arising and the proliferation of the Gold Coats. Cultural differentialism holds the idea that there are fundamental differences among all cultures. These fundamental differences are incredibly ingrained within cultures. This includes differences in beliefs, religions, traditions, norms, and behaviors. Cultural differentialism can explain why there is an influx of discrimination against elderly inmates in the “Growing Old in Prison” video and the proliferation of the Gold Coats organization. Cultural differentialism understands that conflict arises when different cultures interact. There is scrutinizing the prison system and there is an emerging culture of individuals. This population is the elderly. The elderly population is plagued with physical, psychological, and emotional disabilities. The elderly population cannot function normally. They are not as coherent as they once were. They are not socially …show more content…

This is a prime example of how two different cultures can cause conflict, such as discrimination. The elderly inmate represents the older population/culture of the prison and Mr. Crites represents the younger population of the prison. Crites was unaware and had a different understanding of what Pops was going through. There were psychological differences present between both parties. Not understanding the psychological needs and disabilities of the older populations could cause a great deal of conflict with the younger inmate population because they are ignorant and unaware of the older population’s needs. This ignorance of the needs of elderly inmates is a gateway to discrimination and violence. Older inmates will be isolated from social groups, dehumanized, and treated with disrespect. Older inmates will be subjected to rape and abuse by younger inmates. For instance, from Mr. Crites’s account of his interaction with an inmate with Alzheimer’s. Mr.Crites explains how that look is subjected to a violent altercation. It did not matter whether or not the inmate was

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