prisons Flashcards
What were some forms of early punishment in the UK?
Early punishments included fines, enslavement, and execution under the “bloody code.”
When was HMP Shepton Mallet established?
1625
What significant penal policy was introduced in 1718?
as a form of punishment
Q: What percentage of early prisoners were debtors?
70%
What issue did overcrowding in prisons lead to?
passing of an insolvency act
What links began to form between prisons and forced labor?
There were links between prisons and forced involuntary labor, such as dredging the Thames
How did many correctional houses evolve in the early 20th century?
many became military prisons
Who advocated for the establishment of “penitentiaries” as a form of rehabilitation?
The Quakers advocated for “penitentiaries” and were against the death penalty
What was significant about the Walnut Street Jail in the US?
The Walnut Street Jail, established in 1790, is considered one of the first institutions to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment
Who studied the “pains of imprisonment” in 1958?
sykes
What is one of the deprivations experienced by prisoners according to Sykes?
deprivation of liberty
What do prisoners lose access to in terms of material possessions?
experienced deprivation of goods and services
What aspect of personal safety do prisoners often feel deprived of?
security
How does imprisonment affect personal freedom?
leads to deprivation of autonomy
What type of relationships are prisoners deprived of?
heterosexual relationships
Who introduced the concept of “total institution” in 1961?
goffman
What does it mean for inmates to be cut off from the rest of the world?
refers to isolation and separation from society
What is “batch living” in the context of total institutions?
communal living arrangements where inmates share spaces and routines, often leading to a loss of individuality
What is “binary management” in total institutions?
strict rules and hierarchies, where inmates are categorised and controlled based on their behaviour and compliance
What is the “inmate role”?
expected behaviour and identity that individuals adopt while incarcerated, shaped by the institutional environment
What does the “institutional perspective” refer to?
focuses on how the structure and culture of a total institution impact the experiences and behaviors of inmates
What has led to an increased prevalence of open prisons?
A focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners into the community has led to an increase in open prisons
What characterises Nordic prisons?
known for their humane approach rehabilitation and treating inmates with dignity
What is HMP Grendon known for?
HMP Grendon is recognized as a Therapeutic Community that originated in 1962, focusing on treating prisoners with PTSD
How do inmates manage their communities in HMP Grendon?
Inmates can elect each other to manage their own communities, promoting a sense of democracy and responsibility
What activities are included in the daily routine of inmates in therapeutic communities?
Daily meetings, socialisation, therapy, and a restorative approach to misbehaviour are included in the routine
What impact has the therapeutic community model had on reoffending rates?
The model has led to a 20 percent reduction in reoffending rates among inmates
Are there still challenges faced by therapeutic communities?
Yes, despite successes, there are still problems that need to be addressed within these systems
What does indeterminacy/uncertainty refer to in the context of modern pains?
the lack of clear outcomes or expectations for prisoners, leading to feelings of confusion and anxiety
What is the pain associated with psychological assessment in prisons?
Prisoners often feel a disconnect with psychologists, who may seem powerful and distant, leading to feelings of constant scrutiny and deindividuation
What does the pain of self-regulation entail for prisoners?
Inmates are asked to self-govern within a totalising institution, which is an impossible demand that forces them to become agents of their own punishment
How does the pain of modern institutions affect prisoners’ behaviour?
It does not merely suppress them but wraps them up, smothers them, and incites them to conduct themselves in specific ways
What is a key argument against putting people in prison?
Imprisonment not only harms the individual but also has broader negative effects on society
What percentage of offenders had a parent convicted of an offences?
37%
What is the connection between parental incarceration and offenders?
Among those offenders, 80 percent had a parent who had been in prison
What are some broader impacts of incarceration on society?
Incarceration leads to damage in communities and relationships, affecting social structures and support systems
Why is voting important for prisoners in relation to society?
The ability to vote is crucial for feeling part of society; without a say in governance, individuals may feel disconnected and marginalised
What does the Representation of the People Act 1983 Section 3 address?
it outlines the legal framework regarding voting rights, including restrictions on those in prison
What was the significance of Hirst v United Kingdom (No 2) (2005)?
This case highlighted the European Court of Human Rights’ stance on the voting rights of prisoners, emphasising the need for reform
What did the case Thierry Delvigne v Commune de Lesparre Médoc and Préfet de la Gironde establish?
It reinforced the principle that denying voting rights to prisoners can violate human rights, advocating for more inclusive policies
who are the prisoners that are allowed to vote?
remand prisoners, those in prison for contempt of court, non-payment of fines, individuals on Home Detention Curfew
give 3 examples of prisons where prisoners cannot vote?
Australia, Hungary and UK
give 3 examples of prisons where most prisoners can vote?
France, Greece, Italy
give 3 examples of prisons where all prisoners can vote?
Sweden, Spain and ukraine
How are prisoners counted in the census despite not being able to vote?
Prisoners are counted as part of the population for electoral districting, which affects how districts are drawn
What is the impact of prisoners being counted in constituencies?
The percentage of the constituency that cannot vote leads to more powerful votes for those who can, skewing representation
What is prison gerrymandering?
It refers to the practice of counting incarcerated individuals in the census for electoral purposes, which can distort political representation
How do racial disparities in prisons relate to voting prohibitions?
The combination of racial disparities in incarceration and voting restrictions can lead to racialised disenfranchisement, affecting minority communities disproportionately
What does Michelle Alexander discuss in “The New Jim Crow”?
She explores the concept of mass incarceration and its effects on racial discrimination, likening it to historical systems of oppression
