Criminal=> Effects of imprisonment

Question 1

Key research=> Haney et all

Study of prisoners + guards in a stimulated prision

Answer 1

Background=
Research into US prisons= system was inhumane + had impact on prisoners when released
-Disposition theory= brutality in prisons= nature of prisoners (potential sociopaths) + of guards (potential sadists= gets pleasure from inflicting pain)
-Suggests nothing can be done= people’s personalities can’t be changed (what authorities prefer to think)
-Other theory= situational= way prisons are organised + operated= this way more things can be done to improve it

Aim= test depositional hypothesis= see if it’s the individuals or situation that makes prisons brutal

Participants= 24 men selected=> from questions about physical + mental health + interviewed

• College students
• Selected at random for role of prisoner/guard

Procedure guards=

• Maintain order so prison could function=> don’t let prisoner escape + don’t use physical punishment
• Shirt, trousers, whistle + glasses

Proceed prisoners=

• Loose fitting smocks with ID number= make them feel emasculated
• Chain + lock around ankle + stockings over hair
• Called by their number

Results=

• Stopped after 6 days (should have been 2 weeks)=> due to high levels of aggressiveness of guards + some prisoners suffering from high levels of anxiety (5 had to be released)
• Not all guards behaved in a cruel way + not all prisoners suffered (some did as they were told)= suggests I.D in behaviour

Conclusions=

• Social roles influence behaviour= structure of prison env made normal man behave brutally to fit with their role
• Power= determination of guards behaviour
• Deterioration of prisons= loss of identity, emasucaltion

Question 2

Gillis + Nafekh=> employment programs

Answer 2

Programme used by Canadian correctional service= planned employment scheme
-2 groups of offenders=> 1 with employment scheme + one without
-People with employment schemes= 70% completed conditional release
-People without employment schemes= 55% completed conditional release
Also took longer to return to prison (after being released) if on employment schemes

Question 3

Restorative justice

Answer 3

Aim is to help victim + give them a peace of mind

• Victim + offender brought together => victim can explain impact the crime had on their life
• Can reduce post traumatic stress in victims + reduce repeat offending if used instead of prison sentence

Question 4

Anger-Management programmes

Answer 4

Cognitive-Behaviour model of treatment

• Stage 1= Cognitive preparation=> identify tiggers that lead to angry outbursts
• Stage 2= Skills acquisition=> learn relaxation techniques to use when they are in anger-provoking situations
• Stage 3= application practice= practice in a controlled env during therapy sessions

Question 5

Probation supervision + community service

Answer 5

• Alternative to imprisonment
• Still under control of court= but allowed to live in community- under supervision of probation officer
• Cheaper than prison + get additional benefits= they have family
• Not exposed to prison env= spending time with other criminals
• Community service (low level crime)= unpaid work=> rates of re-offending for people seances to community service are lower than ones sentenced to prison