Criminal Topic 6- Effects Of Imprisonment Flashcards
What is topic 6
Effects of imprisonment
What research is in topic 6
Key: haney et al supporting:Gillis and nafekh, restorative justice, anger management programs, community sentences
Outline the key research by Haney et al - study of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison
Background- research into prisons, taking to current and ex in anted and those working as guards showed that the us person system went beyond brutal but fair into inhumane, sexual and physical abuse. 2 explanations: dispositional hypothesis (brutality due to nature of those who administer)or due to the way prisons are operated. Aim: test if ind or sit that made prisons brutal. Wanted to establish new prison populated with average men, predicted allocation of role (guard vs prisoner) would dictate ps behaviour.sample: news ad asking for male volunteers for study into prison life for 15$ a day. 75 potentials did questionnaire about background, health, crime, each interviewed and 24 selected as most stable, mature and least involved W antisocial behaviour, majority Caucasian and middle class and all strangers so don’t damage friendships/interfering. Method: mock prison in Stanford uni psych basement. Randomly allocated to prisoner or guard agreed to 14days/nights, signed contract to be under surveillance and civil rights suspended. Guards task was to maintain resonance degree of order necessary for effective functioning and not let prisoners escape, 3man 8hour shifts. No physical punishment. Uniforms: guards(khaki shirt and trousers, whistle, night stick, reflective sunglasses) prisoners (loose muslin smock with id no. (Female postures), chain on ankle, nylon stocking cap to mimic shaved head. Prisoners arrested at home by real police, handcuffed, fingerprints, stripped and deloused (deo), mugshot. Guards helped set up prison day before. Results: study stopped after 6 days due to zeal of guards and deterioration of prisoners. Guards verbally abusive, riot on day 2 but after did model prisoner behaviour (passive) half coped but 5 had to be released due to extreme depression, crying, anxiety- pathological prisoner syndrome), psychosematic rash. Rest asked if would forfeit money to be set free only 2 didn’t. When done prisoners delighted, guards distressed *guards would be on time, stay late but not all were abusive as left to get food. Conc: structure of prison leads to brutal behaviour- pathology of power occurred (oppressive behaviour if ppl given power) and deindividuation reduced personal agency, took on group identity. Prisoners felt a loss of identity and control, also emasculation but not all
Gillis and nafekh-employment programmes
Investigated Canadian correctional programme involving planned employment scheme (learn how to look for employment, placements, psych assessments) compared 2 groups of men and women on conditional release. Content analysis of data from Canadian offender management system for 23,525 jan 98-jan 05 (95%m,5%f). Quasi iv- ps on program vs those who weren’t. Matched on gender, risk level, release year, sentence length. Compared recidivism rates, those on program were less likely to reoffend during continual release 70% completed compared to 55%. Median length of time taken to return to prison 30% on program and 45% not. Median time before sent back was 37 months for program and 11 for non program
Restorative justice
Peace of mind and regain sense of control for victims, operates alongside justice systems victim and offender brought together, victim explains impact of the crime and gain understanding of why they were targeted, gain apology. Offender may agree to help fix/clean/pay for something./ enter rehab. Process only happens if both sides voluntarily enter. Meeting (RJ conference) set up and may draw up official contract, discussion led by trained official. Sherman and strang found 36 papers comparing RJ and not, it woks in property and violent crimes as victim and reduced PTS(d) and reduces reoffending
Anger management programs
Anger can be a cause of violent crimes. Based on cognitive behavioural model of treatment, carried out in group/individual settings. 1. Cognitive prep: offender learns to id triggers E.g being ignored 2. Skills acquisition:learn diff relaxation techniques (regulating breathing, count to 10, training to resolve conflicts). 3. Application practice, done through role play until automatic response. In uk: use calm-controlling anger and learning to manage it, 24 2 hour sessions targeted to benefit men. Ireland compared 50 who did CALM W control of 37 using self report from prisoners and observation from officers, rated themselves less and tet and 92% showed improvement on angry behaviour measure but 8% decreased
Community sentences
If convicted of crime but not sent to prison. Unpaid work in the local community (community payback). Given for crimes like damaging property, benefit fraud get if: court thinks you’ll stop crime, first time offender, mental health condition, have children. Up to 300 hours of unpaid work e.g, removing graffiti, clearing overgrown. Could involve alc=/drug treatment, curfew, no travel, live in one area to punish/change behaviour. Around 8%of offenders. Reduced burden on prisons, less expense can have positive outcomes (Wayne Rooney). Public doesn’t view as harsh punishment, may increase low level offences
App:reduce reoffending
Anger management, employment program, RJ
