Institutional Aggression In The Context Of Prisons

Question 1

Give an overview of institutional aggression.

Answer 1

Feltham prison (most violet prison in Uk) concluded aggression was a major problem. In 6 months, 300 violent acts had occurred. There are two explanations. Dispositional focusses On the characteristics of prisoners saying they bring aggression in, and situation says the environment creates aggression. It is difficult to separate the two.

Question 2

Describe the importation model as a dispositional explanation.

Answer 2

Prisoners import aggressive characteristics into prisons. A prisoners willingness to use violence to settle disputes reflects their life prior to it. It follows therefore that individuals predisposed rousing violence are likely to be aggressive in any setting. People convicted of crimes are likely to have different values and norms so bring aggressive behaviour in.

Question 3

What characteristics are imported into the prison as suggested by the importation model?

Answer 3

Culturally constructed notions of masculinity
Alcohol/drug dependency
Trauma
Aggressive subcultures
Affectionless psychopathy
Poverty
Prejudice

Question 4

What other dispositional characteristics correlate with aggression in prison?

Answer 4

• anger, anti-social personality and impulsivity were strong predictors in prisons rather than ethnicity or offence type
• low self control, especially the tendency to lose ones temper was a significant predictor.

Question 5

Evaluate dispositional explanations of aggression in prisons.

Answer 5

S - correlation between prison violence and gang membership, particularly in those with no family support. The prisoners inspectorate report of feltham young offenders instituted ion witnessed gang graffiti in cells and aggression was high. Also 202 Canadian inmates - found highest levels of serious misconduct w those w severe alcohol dependence
C - one study found no difference in aggression w gang members and not gang members. Could be because gangs are usually isolated from others so less chance for violence
I - gender bias (beta bias) research done on male prisoners - androcentric to assume females the same. Also doesn’t consider biology like genetic, hormonal and neural factors.
P - difficult to generate practical applications. How do we treat aggression in prisons if issue is outside? We’d have to change society.

Question 6

Explain prison characteristics as a situational explanation of aggression.

Answer 6

Prison environment is the source of violence. Rules and regulations have to be followed which can prompt aggression because of the expectation that prisoners must follow them. The potentially cramped conditions, threatening environment and lack of comfort can also lead to aggression. Finally, prison staff can prompt it.

Question 7

Explain the deprivation model as a situational explanation of aggression.

Answer 7

Model proposed that it is the experience of being deprived of normal experiences that brings about aggression. Prisoners deprived of autonomy as have no control or say over their life. They experience deprivation of material goods, possessions, and relationships. This causes stress and frustration leading to aggression. Agg might cause a sense of control.

Question 8

Evaluate situational explanations of aggression.

Answer 8

S - Maslows hierarchy of needs. Physiological needs not met bc of eating and sleeping routines. Safety needs not met bc of threatening environment. self actualisation not possible triggering aggression. Study of 900 US prisons showed higher deprivation led to higher rates of assault
C - levels of deprivation remain fairly constant but levels of aggression vary considerably with periods of aggression and then periods of calm.
I - nurture side of NN debate and therefore weak. Doesn’t consider nature.
P - prison regimes that deprive prisoners of important experiences and opportunities = aggression more likely. Reduced by adopting procedures allowing some control. Eg choice of how they spend their time/ arrange their cell/ earn some money. Eg such intervention trialled at HMP by a criminal psychologist. Prison was altered to reduce factors associated w aggression and assaults reduced. However social and political pressures stopped the experiment and traditional prison resumed. Idea that prisons should be less unpleasant was bad.