PSYCHOLOGY OF PRISON 2
Psychology of Total Institution and the Prison System
Total institution has been used throughout the ages for reform behavior, thought process, and a common goal of individuals. Erving Goffman defined the total institution as an isolated, enclosed social system whose primary purpose is to control most aspects of its participants ' lives (Macionis, 2017). We have deployed Goffman 's theory in prisons, military training camps, and a variety of mental health/behavioral hospitals. In this paper, we will visit the psychological aspects of Goffman 's theory of total institution as seen in prison systems. We will ask the questions: How does total institution affect an individual 's psychological well-being within our …show more content…
The inmate 's criminal actions are no longer a threat to society. Total institution begins on day 1 with the prison dictating the inmate 's every action and choice. His liberties and American freedoms have been taken away and today starts his "reform" via total institution (Taylor, 2000) Although as a society, we have a hollow sense of safety, what does this process do to the inmate psychologically?
Prisoners must first learn to "survive" in prison. They must learn the "rules" of prison life. According to "A Criminal 's Guide to Surviving Prison," A prisoner must learn to stand up for themselves or risk being victimized throughout their entire prison stay. They list 25+ rules to follow in prison that include: Never trust prison officials, avoid joining a gang, show allegiance to your own race, never take anything on credit, never become someone 's "punk" or "girlfriend, don 't stare, maintain hygiene and health, and NEVER SEE THE PRISON "SHRINK." Prisoners claim that seeing the prison psychologist runs them the risk of being put on medication that would help their conditions, but may hinder their ability to be fully aware (WordPress, 2008) This article sheds a light of the absolute fear a prisoner …show more content…
Maslow 's theory was that if any number of the hierarchy of needs remained absent it would cause negative psychological effects. He thought that our most basic need as humans is food, water, warmth, and rest; followed by safety and security (Bassett, 2016). If we consider that Maslow 's theory is 100% correct and take a person that has committed a crime and put them in a US prison. First, we must assume their needs have not been met prior to the criminal act. Second, by putting them in a total institution setting where very few of their basic needs (according to Maslow) are met, we are setting them up to repeat criminal behavior during and after their imprisonment. However, if we consider Norway 's Halden Prison 's methods. They have provided inmates with Maslow 's basic, psychological, and self-fulfillment needs. Halden has managed to combine Goffman 's theory of Total Institution and Maslow 's Hierarchy of needs, and early statistics show the success. The US has an inmate recidivism rate of 76.6% within 5 years. Norway has an astonishing recidivism rate of 20% (Sterbenz. 2014). So why the staggering difference? Halden focuses on the psychological well-being of its inmates. Each inmate is required to attend educational classes, exercise, cook, and clean. They have psychological help more readily available and are encouraged to take part.
Psychology of Total Institution and the Prison System
Total institution has been used throughout the ages for reform behavior, thought process, and a common goal of individuals. Erving Goffman defined the total institution as an isolated, enclosed social system whose primary purpose is to control most aspects of its participants ' lives (Macionis, 2017). We have deployed Goffman 's theory in prisons, military training camps, and a variety of mental health/behavioral hospitals. In this paper, we will visit the psychological aspects of Goffman 's theory of total institution as seen in prison systems. We will ask the questions: How does total institution affect an individual 's psychological well-being within our …show more content…
The inmate 's criminal actions are no longer a threat to society. Total institution begins on day 1 with the prison dictating the inmate 's every action and choice. His liberties and American freedoms have been taken away and today starts his "reform" via total institution (Taylor, 2000) Although as a society, we have a hollow sense of safety, what does this process do to the inmate psychologically?
Prisoners must first learn to "survive" in prison. They must learn the "rules" of prison life. According to "A Criminal 's Guide to Surviving Prison," A prisoner must learn to stand up for themselves or risk being victimized throughout their entire prison stay. They list 25+ rules to follow in prison that include: Never trust prison officials, avoid joining a gang, show allegiance to your own race, never take anything on credit, never become someone 's "punk" or "girlfriend, don 't stare, maintain hygiene and health, and NEVER SEE THE PRISON "SHRINK." Prisoners claim that seeing the prison psychologist runs them the risk of being put on medication that would help their conditions, but may hinder their ability to be fully aware (WordPress, 2008) This article sheds a light of the absolute fear a prisoner …show more content…
Maslow 's theory was that if any number of the hierarchy of needs remained absent it would cause negative psychological effects. He thought that our most basic need as humans is food, water, warmth, and rest; followed by safety and security (Bassett, 2016). If we consider that Maslow 's theory is 100% correct and take a person that has committed a crime and put them in a US prison. First, we must assume their needs have not been met prior to the criminal act. Second, by putting them in a total institution setting where very few of their basic needs (according to Maslow) are met, we are setting them up to repeat criminal behavior during and after their imprisonment. However, if we consider Norway 's Halden Prison 's methods. They have provided inmates with Maslow 's basic, psychological, and self-fulfillment needs. Halden has managed to combine Goffman 's theory of Total Institution and Maslow 's Hierarchy of needs, and early statistics show the success. The US has an inmate recidivism rate of 76.6% within 5 years. Norway has an astonishing recidivism rate of 20% (Sterbenz. 2014). So why the staggering difference? Halden focuses on the psychological well-being of its inmates. Each inmate is required to attend educational classes, exercise, cook, and clean. They have psychological help more readily available and are encouraged to take part.