An introductory look into the prison system following Foucault’s study into the function and corrective task of the prison, and the characteristics of the disciplinary apparatus. Furthermore, this paper will compare Donald Clemmer’s and Donald Cressey’s view on prison life.
Table of Contents
1. Foucault's Perspective on the Prison System
2. Prison Culture and Organization: Clemmer vs. Cressey
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to analyze the function and corrective task of the prison system through Michel Foucault’s framework of the disciplinary apparatus, while simultaneously comparing the sociological perspectives of Donald Clemmer and Donald Cressey regarding prison life and inmate adaptation.
- Foucault’s theory on the disciplinary apparatus and the function of the prison
- The role of isolation, labor, and penalty modulation in corrections
- Donald Clemmer’s concept of "prisonization" and inmate assimilation
- Donald Cressey’s view of the prison as a complex "total institution"
- Comparative analysis of prison culture versus organizational structure
Excerpt from the Publication
Just as in every society, prisons have their own culture derived from the patterns of everyday life that is relative to the unique circumstances of prison life.
This prison culture integrates knowledge, norms, values, mores and other common habits that have evolved naturally over time. Prison culture is never static; it is always changing with new situations, new inmates/guards, new legislation, new Wardens and/or other administrators, etc. As much as the people involved with the prison influence the culture around them, prison culture characterizes the way the prison operates in quite the same manner. Although never acknowledged formally, there becomes this unwritten code to which everyone agrees (or has no other choice but to agree) to. When someone is sentenced to an institution for the first time, they must learn and adapt to this culture and code, which Donald Clemmer refers to as “prisonization”.
Clemmer identifies basic “universal factors of prisonization” in which almost every inmate is subject to such as being referred to as a number, acceptance of an inferior role and controlled life, or something as simple as different bathroom habits. These universal factors of prisonization have very little affect on “inmates who are incarcerated for only short periods, such as a year or so” but may be sufficient influence to disrupt personality on longer sentences. This is called swallowing up. This level of culture is rather insignificant compared to the deepening of criminality and antisociality that happens when the prisoner fully conforms to criminogenic prison culture (called wising up).
Summary of Chapters
1. Foucault's Perspective on the Prison System: This chapter examines how the prison functions as a disciplinary apparatus that uses isolation, work, and the modulation of penalties to mold inmates into productive members of society.
2. Prison Culture and Organization: Clemmer vs. Cressey: This chapter contrasts Clemmer's theory of "prisonization" and social assimilation with Cressey's perspective of the prison as a complex, monolithic "total institution."
Keywords
Prison System, Foucault, Disciplinary Apparatus, Docile Bodies, Penal Imprisonment, Prisonization, Donald Clemmer, Donald Cressey, Total Institution, Recidivism, Prison Culture, Inmate Adaptation, Socialization, Corrective Task, Criminology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental objective of this paper?
The paper provides an introductory analysis of the prison system by applying Foucault's theories on disciplinary power and by comparing the sociological frameworks of Donald Clemmer and Donald Cressey.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the function of the prison as a corrective institution, the characteristics of disciplinary apparatuses, the process of inmate prisonization, and the organizational structure of prisons.
How does Foucault define the function of a prison?
Foucault argues that the prison is not merely a place of punishment but a site for clinical observation and the "technical transformation" of individuals into docile, productive members of society.
What methodology is employed to analyze prison life?
The paper utilizes a qualitative theoretical approach, synthesizing Foucault’s philosophical critique of institutional power with the sociological observations of Clemmer and Cressey regarding internal prison cultures.
What aspects of the prison system are covered in the main body?
The text covers Foucault's three central principles of disciplinary support (isolation, work, and modulation of the penalty) and contrasts the "prisonization" theory with the concept of "prison organization."
Which keywords best characterize this academic work?
Important keywords include Foucault, prisonization, total institution, disciplinary apparatus, recidivism, and prison culture.
What does "prisonization" mean according to Donald Clemmer?
Prisonization refers to the process by which an inmate learns and adapts to the unwritten codes, norms, and culture of prison life, often resulting in a change of personality over long sentences.
How does Donald Cressey’s view differ from Clemmer’s?
While Clemmer focuses on how an overarching prison culture affects everyone, Cressey views the prison as a complex "total institution" comprised of various subcultures and strata that dictate the individual's experience.
What is the concept of "swallowing up" versus "wising up"?
"Swallowing up" refers to the impact of universal prisonization factors on personality, whereas "wising up" describes the more significant process of fully conforming to criminogenic prison culture.
How does the author evaluate the two scholars at the end?
The author concludes that while both provide valuable theories, Clemmer’s perspective on prisonization appears more applicable and specific to the realities of the current prison system.
- Quote paper
- Cory Contini (Author), 2008, A look at prisons and prison life, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230621
