Dehumanization Within The Prison Environment

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Within the prison environment, there is a lot of things to be expected. According to Clemmer, prison is like a community with its own pecking order and value system that exists apart from and often contradicts the outside world. This essay first will discuss the effects of prison. This essay will then highlight ways to reduce the pains of imprisonment. Finally, this essay will state what is likely to happen once an offender is released.

The adaptation to imprisonment is often difficult and, at times, it alters a prisoner mind and behaviour that can be dysfunctional in periods of post-prison adjustment. Goffman’s total institution is a great example of describing the effect of prison. A total institution is a place where similarly situated people are separated from society for a period of time, together in one highly structured bureaucratic patterns. With regards to the effect of prison, prisoners individuality of self is taken away and in many cases, they are dehumanized within the prison walls. Because of the idea of a total institution, prisoners go through the process of prisonization. Prisonization is a concept developed by Clemmer in which prisoners are forced to assimilate a whole new set of norms. This includes obeying to the authorities, …show more content…

It provides a means whereby the inmate can develop status within the prison environment and it offers a worldview in terms of which the inmate can define and interpret their situation. Sykes noted that the convict code relies heavily on exaggerated images of masculinity that encourages the macho behaviour. The behavioural expectations of the code emphasize loyalty to other inmates such as no interference with their activities, no ratting on them, and minding one's business. However, the convict code is not always respected as everyone experience it

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