The effects of prisonization may be long term and destructive. Many inmates become hostile to the legal system, learning to use violence as a means of solving problems and to value criminal peers. For some this change may be permanent; for others it is temporary, and they may revert to their "normal" life after release
Step 2: The textbook tells us about Clemmer's most important contribution may have been his identification of what he called the prisonization process.
Please address the following learning objective in a document
Explain the "prisonization" process and the development of the inmate social code.
The prisonization process, as identified by Donald Clemmer, refers to the transformative effects that incarceration can have on individuals. When individuals enter the prison system, they are exposed to a new social environment with its own set of norms, values, and behavioral expectations. This environment is often characterized by violence, coercion, and survival tactics that are necessary for navigating the harsh realities of prison life.
As individuals adapt to this environment, they may internalize these values and behaviors, resulting in a phenomenon known as prisonization. This process involves the adoption of a prison social code, which dictates how inmates interact with one another and with prison staff. Inmates may learn to prioritize traits such as toughness, aggression, and loyalty to fellow inmates, while devaluing traits associated with law-abiding behavior.
The development of the inmate social code is shaped by a number of factors, including the need for protection within a hostile environment, the desire for social acceptance and belonging, and the influence of more experienced inmates. In order to survive and thrive in prison, inmates may feel compelled to conform to these unwritten rules and expectations, even if it means compromising their own moral values or engaging in criminal behavior.
The effects of prisonization can be profound and long-lasting, with some individuals permanently adopting the attitudes and behaviors learned in prison. This can have negative consequences for their reintegration into society upon release, as they may struggle to readjust to conventional norms and values. It is important for prison officials, policymakers, and society as a whole to recognize the prisonization process and its implications, in order to better support the rehabilitation and successful reentry of individuals who have been incarcerated.