institutional aggression p3 Flashcards
two theories- importation and deprivation
what is institutional aggression
violence in prison
importation model
Irwin and Casey
dispositional explanation of aggression within prisons.
people who enter prison already have values and attitudes that predispose them to aggression
inmates ‘import’ their values and attitudes into prison.
examples of values and attitudes that predispose people to aggression
drug use
gang use
poverty
family dysfunction
low iq
lack of education
young age
prison sub cultures
criminal
conventional
convict
criminal subculture
repeat offenders
have loyalty and trust
don’t tell on inmates
moderate level of aggression
conventional subculture
white collar crimes eg fraud
similar to prison guards
low levels of aggression
first time offenders
avoids inmates
convict
very violent crimes
strong power heirarchy
high levels of aggression
gang members and those from deprived areas.
example of importation model
attica
max security prison in nbc. consisted of 54% black men.
following shooting of another black inmate in another prison, 1000 Attica prisoners rebelled and seized control go the prison, taking 33 staff hostage. authorities aggreed to 28 of their demands. 39 died.
evaluation of importation model -pos
there is supporting evidence for importation model.
delisi studied 813 juvenile delinquents in California for displays of violence in prison. inmates suffered from childhood trauma, substance abuse,,violent behaviour. they were more likely to engage3 in physical and sexual misconduct, compared to a control group without these histories.
suggests dispositional factors are imported into prisons leading to aggression. this adds validity to the importation model.
eval of importation model-limitation
a limitation of sup research is that it is correlational
research such as delist only suggest that an association between dispositional factors and aggressive behaviour in prison. it may be that people with violent histories are targeted in prison because of past rivaliries with others and this is why they respond with violence. research cant conclude for certain that egg is due to imported traits rather than prison environment.
this means that dispositional explanation is low in validity as it doesn’t establish cause and effect.
eval of importation model-lim
there is challenging evidence for importation model.
the importation model may be inadequate explanation because it ignores roles of prison officials and factors relating to organisation of the prison. research suggests that poorly managed prisons are more likely to experience extreme violence from inmates. the ACM suggests that weak leadership, distant staff, few opportunities for education lead to extreme violence and rioting in prison.
suggests importation model is an inadequate explanation for aggression as institutional factors are probs more important.
deprivation model
situational explanation of aggression
claims the characteristics of prison itself accounts for violence in prisons
prisons have harsh conditions,b stress and frustration towards these conditions can make inmates turn to aggression.
deprivation in prisons involves lack off access to goods and services we would take for granted, bringing out sense of failure for inmates. eg poor sanitation and noise and overcrowding relate to institutional aggression.
factors that contribute to institutional aggression-sakes (deprivation model)
deprivation of liberty
deprivation of autonomy
deprivation of heterosexual relationships
deprivation of goods and services
deprivation of security
deprivation of liberty
not allowed to go where you want to when you want, reinforces the feeling of rejection from society.
deprivation of autonomy
no indépendance as all decisions are made for the inmates.makes prisoners feel angry and powerless
deprivation of heterosexual relationships
no opportunity for physical and emotional intimacy. leads to frustrated feeling
deprivation of goods and services
no access to material possessions like a phone. leads to the feeling of anger and resentment and to competition between inmates.
deprivation of security
prison environment is often unsafe for inmates, heightens awareness, defensiveness and overeaction
example of deprivation model
strangeways prison
high sec in mancheste4r in 1990s, with highest suicide rate in uk.
riots began over conditions such as slopping out , limited exercise rights and use of sedatives on prisoners. they took control of the prison chapel and the riot spread quickly through most of the prison. over 25 days 1 prisoner was killed and 147 officers injured.
eval of deprivation model-pos
supporting evidence for deprivation model
mccorkle et al found that review of 371 prisons that have overcrowding, lack of privacy and lack of meaningful activity in prison influenced likelihood of inmate violence.
this suggests that there is a relationship between situational factors and aggression therefore adding validity to the model.
eval of deprivation model-neg
there is opposing evidence for deprivation model
Hensley studied 256 males and females inmates at tow prisons in missisipi. they were allowed conjugal visits and therefore didn’t experience deprivation in this way. however there was no link between these visits and reduced aggressive behaviour.
suggests deprivation of heterosexual relationships isn’t a contributing factor for prison aggression which reduces validity of the model.
eval of deprivation model- pos
there’s supporting evidence for deprivation model
in hip Woodall two units for violent prisoners were set up that provided more space and outdoor viwes. noise snf temperature levels also reduced. they virtually stopped any assaults on officers and other inmates.
this suggests that reducing aggression in real world can be achieved by improving situational factors like overcrowding. makes research useful for improving lvoves of inmates in prisons.
