Summary: The Influence Of Social Interaction In Prison
Yes, Sykes was correct when he mentioned that the social interaction among inmates have the greatest influence of imprisonment. The effects of social interaction in prison are crucial to an inmate sanity. Whether in prison or out in the free world, social interaction is an essential part of being human. Prisoners are away from their families and friends, therefore, social interactions within prison become a very important aspect of the prison experience. When an individual goes to prison, he or she meets other criminals and that can have an impact on him or her upon release. Sykes (2007) argued that association between inmates is more deplorable than mental and physical deterioration. In prison, criminals learn from each other. Usually once a criminal is release from prison, he or she might become a
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harmed criminal due to the interactions with other inmates. Social interaction in prison can lead to recidivism. Interactions and social organization in prison can promote the possibility of criminal activity and return to prison. According to Musheo (2013) prisoner that recidivate due to "linked and loyal to a fault" to their old associations. Prisoners fear the threat of solitary confinement. In solitary confinement, inmates would be barred from interacting with other inmates and that would have a detrimental psychological impact on the prisoner. The inmates are already removed from their friends, families and are stripped of any rights that they have and the only thing they can control is their interaction. Sykes Argued that locking a man in a cell or cage by himself strips him of all his manhood and render him to be no more than a semi-human object with a number. Thus, social interaction allows inmates to feel human once again. Social interaction can have an effect on victimization in prison. Prisoners experience distress from the harsh environment and conditions of imprisonment, but also from harassment from other inmates. For example, the gorilla inmates who decide to team up or befriend other gorilla inmates. Such social interaction creates a network where the main objective is to prey on weak inmates. According to the theory of differential association, Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other deviant persons. Imprisonment serves as the breeding ground where inmates can meet, interact, and learn not only techniques of certain crimes, but also specific rationale, motives and so on. For example, if a criminal went to prison for burglary and met another inmate who is more apt at burglarizing, through socializing they can learn from each other and become better at committing that crime. Another example would be if an individual joins a prison gangs while incarcerated, he is more likely to remain affiliated with that particular gang even after he is released from prison. Social interaction is not always negative.
It can be beneficial. For example, some prisoners are able to find mates during incarceration and those relationships can continue outside of prison. Social interactions can have religious benefits. Some prisoners are able to find the religious affiliation. These religious groups can have a positive influence on the prisoner by providing an outlet for him to stay out of trouble both in prison and upon his release. A great example would be the conversion of Malcolm X into Islam. Before his arrival in prison, Malcolm X was deviant, but through social interaction, he found Islam and became one of the greatest leader in the history of America after he was release. Social interaction is what makes imprisonment tolerable. If prisoners were not allowed to interact with each other, that could create a tense situation for inmates and prisoners alike. Inmates would be even more frustrated than they already are and would more than likely be taking out their frustrations on the guards. Since inmates are deprived of so many things, social interaction is the closest thing that the inmate have to the outside world. The social interaction between guards and inmate is very
interesting. According to Sykes (2007), guards have not real power, thus, creating a reward and punishment relationship between guards and inmates. Guards bargain with inmates to follow the rules. If the inmates can follow the rules while in prison, may they will continue to that trend upon their release and follow the rules and regulations imposed by society. Prison officials social interaction with inmates is based on how they view inmates. If prisons guard view inmates negatively it might create a strain on their relationships. The prison guards might become frustrated and tense when having to deal with inmates. He might used be quick to use harsh punishment tactics toward the inmates whether or not it was warranted. This negative social interaction between guards an inmates might have long lasting effect on the prisoner once he is released from prison. The prisoner might have a negative attitude or view toward officers of the law and might decide that following societal is not in his best interest. Inmates can view their relationship with prison as potential of how they might be treated by other criminal justice officers out in the real world. Thus, it is imperative that guards treat inmates according to the by-laws of their correctional facility rather than their preconceived biases about an inmate or the crime. Conversely, a prison guard can have a positive perceptions of inmates. If prison guards have a positive view of the inmates, then they may have more pleasant and less confrontational interactions with inmates. The prison guards would go about doing their job within the guideline of the prisons and can foster a positive relationship with the inmates. Positive social interactions between guards and inmates can also be accomplished if guards and inmates know and respect boundaries set by the rules and regulations of the prison. Promoting a positive relationship for involve treating inmates with decency and as human beings rather than just some “social rejects” will go a long way in fostering positive social interaction with inmates and guards alike. The aspect of social interaction was crucial to the New Jersey State Prison. Negative social interactions between guards an inmates were one of the causal factors that led to several riots in the 50’s. Social interaction is therapeutic for both inmates and prison guards.
harmed criminal due to the interactions with other inmates. Social interaction in prison can lead to recidivism. Interactions and social organization in prison can promote the possibility of criminal activity and return to prison. According to Musheo (2013) prisoner that recidivate due to "linked and loyal to a fault" to their old associations. Prisoners fear the threat of solitary confinement. In solitary confinement, inmates would be barred from interacting with other inmates and that would have a detrimental psychological impact on the prisoner. The inmates are already removed from their friends, families and are stripped of any rights that they have and the only thing they can control is their interaction. Sykes Argued that locking a man in a cell or cage by himself strips him of all his manhood and render him to be no more than a semi-human object with a number. Thus, social interaction allows inmates to feel human once again. Social interaction can have an effect on victimization in prison. Prisoners experience distress from the harsh environment and conditions of imprisonment, but also from harassment from other inmates. For example, the gorilla inmates who decide to team up or befriend other gorilla inmates. Such social interaction creates a network where the main objective is to prey on weak inmates. According to the theory of differential association, Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other deviant persons. Imprisonment serves as the breeding ground where inmates can meet, interact, and learn not only techniques of certain crimes, but also specific rationale, motives and so on. For example, if a criminal went to prison for burglary and met another inmate who is more apt at burglarizing, through socializing they can learn from each other and become better at committing that crime. Another example would be if an individual joins a prison gangs while incarcerated, he is more likely to remain affiliated with that particular gang even after he is released from prison. Social interaction is not always negative.
It can be beneficial. For example, some prisoners are able to find mates during incarceration and those relationships can continue outside of prison. Social interactions can have religious benefits. Some prisoners are able to find the religious affiliation. These religious groups can have a positive influence on the prisoner by providing an outlet for him to stay out of trouble both in prison and upon his release. A great example would be the conversion of Malcolm X into Islam. Before his arrival in prison, Malcolm X was deviant, but through social interaction, he found Islam and became one of the greatest leader in the history of America after he was release. Social interaction is what makes imprisonment tolerable. If prisoners were not allowed to interact with each other, that could create a tense situation for inmates and prisoners alike. Inmates would be even more frustrated than they already are and would more than likely be taking out their frustrations on the guards. Since inmates are deprived of so many things, social interaction is the closest thing that the inmate have to the outside world. The social interaction between guards and inmate is very
interesting. According to Sykes (2007), guards have not real power, thus, creating a reward and punishment relationship between guards and inmates. Guards bargain with inmates to follow the rules. If the inmates can follow the rules while in prison, may they will continue to that trend upon their release and follow the rules and regulations imposed by society. Prison officials social interaction with inmates is based on how they view inmates. If prisons guard view inmates negatively it might create a strain on their relationships. The prison guards might become frustrated and tense when having to deal with inmates. He might used be quick to use harsh punishment tactics toward the inmates whether or not it was warranted. This negative social interaction between guards an inmates might have long lasting effect on the prisoner once he is released from prison. The prisoner might have a negative attitude or view toward officers of the law and might decide that following societal is not in his best interest. Inmates can view their relationship with prison as potential of how they might be treated by other criminal justice officers out in the real world. Thus, it is imperative that guards treat inmates according to the by-laws of their correctional facility rather than their preconceived biases about an inmate or the crime. Conversely, a prison guard can have a positive perceptions of inmates. If prison guards have a positive view of the inmates, then they may have more pleasant and less confrontational interactions with inmates. The prison guards would go about doing their job within the guideline of the prisons and can foster a positive relationship with the inmates. Positive social interactions between guards and inmates can also be accomplished if guards and inmates know and respect boundaries set by the rules and regulations of the prison. Promoting a positive relationship for involve treating inmates with decency and as human beings rather than just some “social rejects” will go a long way in fostering positive social interaction with inmates and guards alike. The aspect of social interaction was crucial to the New Jersey State Prison. Negative social interactions between guards an inmates were one of the causal factors that led to several riots in the 50’s. Social interaction is therapeutic for both inmates and prison guards.