lecture 4 - theorising prisons, understanding the hidden functions of prisons Flashcards
what does mathiesen 1990 prisons on trial questions the effectivness of imprisonment in meeting its stated aims, its ability to prevent future crime through:
- deterring
-incapacitating - rehabilitating individuals
- or on basis that it is simply deserved
what countries does mathiesen 1990 prisons on trial collate evidence from regarding the defensibility of prison?
-scandinavia
-britain
- united states
what does utilitarian theory argue about punishment
argue that punishment is JUSTIFIED on basis of
PREVENTING future offending via
- deterrence,
- incapacitation and
- rehabilitation
what does retributive theory argue about punishment?
punishment is DESERVED by the offender
what does mathiesen 1990 conclude about prisons on trial
prison is a FIASCO and does not find a defence in the celebrated purposes espoused in penal theory
what does mathiesen 1990 argue we are in need of when assessing prisons on trial? to contribute to the shrinking what prison solution is needed?
need for a COMPLETE REASSESSMENT of the prison institution
- to contribute to the shrinking - perhaps abolition of the prison solution
what is a sociological explanation of why we use prisons?
punishment plays a wider role and function in our society
for durkheim, what provides a function to society
punishment
for durkheim, what key term means = based on a shared belief in core or fundamental values
the collective conscience
for durkheim, what does crime do to these fundamental values
breaches
for durkheim, what unites society and how does it do it? what desire does that feeling create by pulling on what?
crime can unite society in their DISGUST towards certain behaviour
this disgust then creates a DESIRE for punishment - pulling on collective sentiments
for durkheim what view does punishment reinforce and what does it repair?
reinforces peoples views that the behaviour is wrong and repairs social harms caused
for durkheim certain types of crime produce what outrage?
- produces universal and instant reaction of outrage
for durkheim, people are motivated to see that offenders get their….
just deserts
for durkheim the function of punishment is restoring and maintaining the…
social and collective conscience
for durkheim , the primary focus of punishment is the ritualised refffirmation of….. and reifnorcement of… (quotation found in garland)
….ritualised reaffirmation of COLLECTIVE VALUES and the reinforcement of GROUP SOLIDARITY
for durkheim, the prison as symbolism of modern punishment represents an example of our most severe..and therefore represents the greatest?
most severe punishment and therefore represents the greatest condemnation
for durkheim what does prison as a symbolism of modern punishment make those of us not in prison feel?
- feel we are morally superior kept apart from those who pose a danger to our way of life
problems are there with selectivity? how useful is durkheim’s argument when we look at what crimes?
mundane crimes and other forms of punishment
- community sentences
- fines etc
durkheim’s version of the collective conscience is rooted in what?
rooted in the idea of common values
criticisms of durkheim’s theory on punishment
- punishment can evoke social divisions instead of solidarities
- what is functional for one group is dysfunctional for another
chamberlen and carvalho 2019 point to the importance of what?
importance of SOCIAL SOLIDARITY and the APPEARANCE of social bonds
chamberlen and caravlho 2019 argue you dont need what for punishment to have durkheims desired effect?
you dont need strong social cohesion or solidarity
chamberlen and carvalho 2019, if punishment doenst function to reaffirm our collective values then what does it do?
rather it instils the APPEARANCE of such bonds
punishment suppresses feelings of what? bychanelling what towards crimes and criminals?
suppresses feelings of INSECURITY and SOCIAL FRAGMENTATION by channelling such turmoil towards crimes and criminals
marxist believe society is divided along…
theres competition between groups over…
- society is divided economic class lines
- competition between groups over LIMITED RESOURCES
what is marxist conflict theory?
certain groups are better positioned in society than others, and these groups are better positioned to advance their own interests through
- the law
- the state
- government institutions
according to marxist arguments, laws and crime act as a vehicle for the development of what relations?
for the development of UNEQUAL class relations
marxist argue crime is a socially constructed concept because…
- the powerful define what becomes a crime
- marginalised groups behaviour and actions become criminalised
marxist argue the failure to criminalise crimes of the rich helps feed the…
development of capitalism
marxist argues mass criminalisation of marginal groups with … to contribute?
nothing to contribute
marxist argue laws and crime ensure that the group with the…maintain their current posiiton in society
…with the wealth and power maintain their current position in society
marxist argue our punishment system is shaped not just by patterns of criminality but how we have chosen to manage…
..manage marginal groups
how are prisons one of the many mechanisms for disciplining the working class and containing surplus workers for marxists?
contain those that do not not offer anything to the current what?
repress what of the working class?
transform them through what?
- contain those that do not offer anything to the current economic requirements
- repress criminalised fractions of the working class
- transform them through rehabilitation, resocialization, re education, work and discipline
what hidden function does marxism and prisons hold?
hidden function = political vehicle and economics
for marxism what collapse leads to growth in prison populations?
collapse of social welfare
marxism is concerned with inequalities associated with?
social class
critical criminologists also look at
race and gender
what is the prison-industrial complex for marixsts is an interconnection between what 3 systems?
interconnection between
- the CJS,
the political system
the economic system
what has become a site of large scale private investment?
CJS
idea that private interests are increasing is vested in mass incarceration
what does the hidden purpose of the exploitation of prison labour repress criminalised fractions of?
- repress criminalised fractions of the working class
what does the hidden purpose of exploitation of prison labour provide a chance for prisoners to transform into? how is this done?
provides a chance to transform them into ‘wage workers’
- by rehabilitation, resocialization, re-education, by WORK
peer advisors are employed to?
provide info, advice and guidance to other prisoners on topics such as housing, debts, employment, training
what schedule to prisoners follow?
regimented schedule
orderlies work in what areas?
gym
healthcare
centre
reception
chapel
what do wing workers do?
work exclusively on the wings
the boys in green
how much do stage 1 jobs pay?
£3.30 a day
how much do stage 2 jobs pay? how much % is deducted by the prison
paid minimum wage
40% deduction by the prison
what 2 companies are examples of good practice in supporting resettlement and desistance
Timpson
clink charity cardiff
the clink charity cardiff offer
through the gate provision working directly with new employers
prison wages are unable to support what?
resettlement and desistance
most important effect of punishment for durkehim
reaffirm and strengthen the moral order on which it is based
