6: Prisons Pt. 1

Question 1

methods of disciplinary power in institutions

Answer 1

hierarchical observation - surveillance

normalising judgement

examination

Question 2

• surveillance

Answer 2

hierarchical observation which becomes coercive/intrusive with an attention to minute details of individual conduct

implies you’re being watched but also that you’re being watched by someone with authority over you with a means to compel you into certain types of conduct

Question 3

• normalising judgement

Answer 3

enforcement of established or desired norms of behaviour through techniques designed to correct transgressions and minimise deviance

authorities and experts create standards within the institution of what is considered to be normal

Question 4

• examination

Answer 4

condition of the prisoner and documenting progress towards a defined target

ways that the institution/authorities seeks to measure your progress towards the ultimate goal of ‘meeting the standard of normal’

Question 5

the panopticon

Answer 5

guard is not visible to individual inmates who can never know for sure whether they are being watched in a given moment

disciplinary regime compels them to behave as if there is someone watching them at all times

Question 6

what does the panopticon symbolise?

Answer 6

pervasive power

invisible/unverifiable power

decentralisation/depersonalisation of power/control

direct violence replaced with structural violence

structural violence made profitable