Lecture 4: Understanding the ‘hidden’ functions of prisons Flashcards
What does Mathiesen conclude about prisons in his 1990 book ‘Prisons on Trial’?
They are a complete failure in meeting their stated aims, its ability to prevent future crimes through:
- Deterring
- Incapacitating
- Rehabilitating individuals
What two philosophical theories of punishment does Mathiesen discuss?
Utilitarian and retributive
According to Durkheim, what is the primary function of punishment?
Affirming collective conscience
What countries does Mathiesen 1990 prisons on trial collate evidence from regarding the defensibly of prison?
Scandinavia
Britain
United States
What does utilitarian theory argue about punishment?
Argues 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
How does imprisonment help affirm collective conscience according to Durkheim?
By symbolizing condemnation of offenders
Which critique questions the usefulness of Durkheim’s theory?
Contemporary society lacks shared values
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 view does punishment reinforce and what does it repair?
Reinforces peoples views that the behaviour is wrong and repairs social harms caused
For Durkheim, people are motivated to see that offenders get their…
Just Deserts
For Durkheim , the primary focus of punishment is the ritualized reaffirmation of….. and reinforcement 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 punishment
Criticisms of Durkheim’s theory on punishment
- Punishment can evoke social diversion instead of solidarity
- What is functional for one group is dysfunctional for another
What do Chamberlen & Carvalho argue punishment achieves?
Appearance of social bonds
What key idea underpins Marxist theories of crime?
Inequality shaped by economics
How do Marxists view the concept of ‘crime’?
Socially constructed by the powerful
What do Marxists see as a key mechanism of social control?
- Laws
- Criminalizing marginalized groups
What ‘hidden function’ of imprisonment is suggested by Marxists?
Managing surplus workers
What evidence is highlighted for the ‘hidden function’ of managing marginal groups?
Prisoners’ socioeconomic status
What is the ‘prison-industrial complex’ according to Marxists?
Interconnections between criminal justice, politics and economics around incarceration
What kind of work do most prisoners undertake inside prisons?
Prison maintenance and operation
What is a key critique of the wages paid to prisoners for work?
They do not reflect the actual work
What is a positive example of prison work programs mentioned?
Training academics for future jobs
According to Mathiesen, why do prisons continue to exist if they fail in their goals?
They symbolise moral condemnation
What key idea from Durkheim helps explain continued use of prisons?
Meeting public demand for punishment
What financial factors help explain prison growth according to Marxists?
Saving money previously spent on welfare
What question is raised about whether prisons meet their goals?
Does the public believe prisons achieve their intended aims
What related question highlights issues of legitimacy?
Do prisoners accept the system’s authority as fair?
Utilitarian theory sees punishment as justified when:
It helps prevent future crimes
Which theory focuses most on the symbolic value of punishment?
Durkheimian
Imprisonment helps affirm collective conscience through:
Symbolizing the condemnation of offenders’ actions
Which theorist questions the cohesiveness of shared societal values today?
Marxist
The Marxist view of crime sees it as:
A means to advance class interests
Which theory highlights economic inequality as shaping responses to crime?
Marxist
Marxists see the criminalisation of marginalized groups as:
A key mechanism of social control
The concept of the ‘prison-industrial complex’ points to:
Interconnections between criminal justice, politics and economics around incarceration
An example of prison labor highlighted as potential good practice is:
Training academies run by external employers
Continued use of prisons despite criticisms can be explained by:
Public demand for harsh punishment
Marxists explain growing prison populations partially through:
Greater connections between criminal justice, politics and economics
Questions about prison legitimacy focus on whether:
Prisoners accept prison authorities as rightfully dictating rules and behavior while incarcerated
Which theory justifies punishment on proportionate retribution grounds?
Retributive
Imprisonment symbolizing condemnation of offenders relates most clearly to which theorist’s view of punishment?
Durkheim
Which critique questions the usefulness of symbolic punishment views to explain responses to volume crime?
Marxist
The concept of the ‘prison industrial complex’ suggests connections between:
Politics, economics and criminal justice around incarceration
Continued use of incarceration is explained by:
Public demands for harsher punishments
Prison population growth is linked by Marxists to:
Savings enabling tax cuts to satisfy electorates
Questions about the legitimacy of imprisonment relate to:
Prisoners accepting the system’s rules and authority while inside
Which theory is rooted in the idea of shared societal values?
Durkheimian
Imprisonment symbolizes condemnation of which group?
Offenders
The Marxist view of crime sees it as:
A mean to advance elite interests
Continuance of incarceration is linked to:
Demands for punishment
Durkheim sees punishment as preserving:
Collective conscience
The Marxist view sees criminalization of marginalized groups as:
A mechanism of social control
Foucault’s critique of incarceration focused on:
Its disciplinary power dynamics
Mathiesen’s conclusions questioned whether prisons:
Achieve their stated aims around deterrence and reform
The concept of ‘procedural justice’ relates to:
Fairness of decision-making processes
Marxists explain prison labor’s exploitation through:
Poverty wages for maintenance tasks
Durkheim sees punishment rituals affirming:
Collective conscience
What do wing workers do?
- Work exclusively on the wings
- Boys in green
- Clean cells
- Serve food
The Clink Cardiff offered?
Through the gate provision
What do ROTL stand for?
Release On Temporary Licence
What is a Stage 1 job?
- Training often inside prison
- £3.30 a day
What is a Stage 2 job?
- ‘Proper’ employment in the community
- Paid minimum wage
What schedule do prisoners follow?
Regimented
Where do orderlies work?
In the gym, reception and chapel etc
