Functionalism In Litchfield Prison

On the surface, the Litchfield Prison system is extremely dysfunctional, does not provide any structure or regimen for the inmates to follow, and does not serve any purpose in reshaping the inmates, much like any other prison system. From the illegal trafficking of contraband, to the unlawful rape that occurs between the inmates and guards, to the disheartening stereotypical slurs constantly heard throughout the prison, Litchfield Penitentiary does not seem like a place for bettering one’s self. Functionalism defines society as having different functions that are necessary to sustain the society, and without these functions, society would not be able to operate normally. Therefore, functionalism would look at the prison displayed in Orange …show more content…
A total institution is a place where you are stripped of your prior identity in the effort to be resocialized and emerge as a transformed person, no longer engaging in deviant and illegal acts. To do this, every aspect of Litchfield Penitentiary is controlled. The inmates of Litchfield Prison are told when to eat, shower, and sleep, and rarely have any say so in their day to day activities. Inmates have no autonomy and when disobedient, they often face severe punishment and consequences because of the control in the total institution. Because of this tight control, the inmates begin to adapt to this new environment. Another aspect of a total institution is uniformity. The inmates all wear the same mundane, gray jumpsuit, aside from the new inmates, who wear orange jumpsuits to set them apart. The purpose of the same, boring jumpsuit is to strip the inmates of their creativity, self expression, and ensure that everyone is identical. This process helps to debilitate the self identity of the inmates. Along with this, the inmates are referred to, by the guards and administration, not by their first names, but “Inmate…” followed by their last names. Again, the purpose of this is to reduce the individuality of the inmates and aid the process of resocialization. As the inmates begin to adapt to the resocialization of the total institution, they change from their prior, felonious …show more content…
Although they do not have much control over their uniform schedules, many inmates are assigned jobs where they may have more freedom. These jobs or roles are also an example of functionalism. Functionalism would look at Litchfield Penitentiary, and the jobs and roles that accompany it, as having numerous functions that are necessary to maintain order and keep the peace in the prison. Some are completed by the guards and workers within the prison, while some of these functions are fulfilled by the inmates. The inmates may be responsible for kitchen duty, making sure food is prepared and regulated on time, while some are responsible for custodial jobs, like making sure the