Chapter 14 Behind Bars: The Life of an Inmate

CJ

© 2011 Cengage Learning

Chapter 14 Chapter 14

Behind Bars: The Behind Bars: The Life of an InmateLife of an Inmate


Learning Outcomes

LO1: Indicate some of the reasons for violent behavior in prisons.

LO2: List and briefly explain the six general job categories among correctional officers.

LO3: Contrast probation, parole, mandatory release, pardon, and furlough.

LO4: Describe typical conditions of parole.LO5: Explain the goal of prisoner reentry

programs.

1LO


Indicate some of the reasons for violent

behavior in prisons.


Learning Outcome 1

Prison cultures are unique because they are total institutions that encompass

every aspect of an inmate’s life.



Learning Outcome 1• The aging prison population

– The majority of inmates are under the age of 34, but the older inmate population is growing

– There are a number of explanations for this upsurge, including mandatory sentencing

• Contributing factors:– “Get tough on crime” measures– High rates of recidivism– Higher levels of crime by older offenders– Aging of the U.S. population as a whole


Learning Outcome 1Adapting to Prison Culture:• Doing time• Jailing• Gleaning• Disorganized criminals


Learning Outcome 1Violence in prison exists because:• It provides a deterrent against

being victimized• It enhances self-image• In the case of rape, it gives sexual

relief• It is a means of acquiring material

goods


Learning Outcome 1The deprivation model• The stressful and oppressive

conditions of prison life lead to aggressive behavior on the part of the intimates.


Learning Outcome 1Riots:• Relative deprivation

– Focuses on the gap between what is expected in a situation and what is achieved.


Learning Outcome 1The role of race and ethnicity:• Separate worlds• Prison segregation

Prison Gangs and Security Threat Groups (STGs)

• The prevalence of prison gangs• Combating prison gangs


Learning Outcome 1Characteristics of Female Inmates:• A history of abuse• Mental disorders and post-traumatic

stress disorder• The motherhood problem

– Seven out of ten women in prison have at least one child

• Violence

2LO


List and briefly explain the six general job categories among

correctional officers.


Learning Outcome 2Rank and duties of correctional officers• Block officers• Work detail officers• Industrial shop and school officers• Yard officers• Tower guards• Administrative building assignments


CAREERPREPCorrectional Officer

Job Description:• Ensure the safety of inmates and other employees of the correctional

facility. This includes escorting inmates from their cells to other areas of the prison, standing guard over inmates after they have been removed from their cells, searching inmates for forbidden items, and patrolling the prison grounds.

• Build and maintain rapport with inmates to defuse disruptive behavior and prevent potential inmate problems such as suicide, intoxication, drug use, and violent behavior.

What Kind of Training Is Required?• At the state level, a high school diploma. At the federal level, a

bachelor’s degree or three years of full-time experience counseling and supervising individuals.

• Written, physical, and psychological examinations and a training period that lasts from one to six months, depending on the size of the correctional facility.

Annual Salary Range?$23,600–$60,000

For additional information, visit: www.aca.org.


Learning Outcome 2Discipline• Legitimate security interests

– Acting in self-defense– Acting to defend safety of a third person– Upholding the rules of the institution– Preventing a crime– Preventing an escape effort

• The “malicious and sadistic” standard

3LO


Contrast probation, parole, mandatory

release, pardon and furlough.


Learning Outcome 3Parole:• Conditional release • Based on:

– Grace – Contract of consent– Custody


Mastering Concepts

Probation versus Parole


Learning Outcome 3Other forms of Release:• Mandatory release• Pardon• furlough


Learning Outcome 3• Parole is not a right but a privilege.

• Greenholtz v. Inmates of the Nebraska Penal and Correctional Complex (1979) – inmates do not have constitutional right to parole.


Learning Outcome 3Basic Roles of the Parole Board:• To decide which inmates should be given

parole• To determine the conditions of parole• To discharge the offender when the

conditions of parole have been met• To determine whether or not parole

privileges should be revoked when a violation occurs.


Learning Outcome 3The Parole Hearing• Participants include the judge,

attorneys, the offender, law enforcement officers, and the victim

4LO


Describe typical conditions to parole.


Learning Outcome 4Parole Supervision:• Conditions of parole• Parole contracts

– Sets out the agreement between the state and the paroled offender

• Parole Officers• Parole Revocation


5LO


Explain the goal of prisoner reentry

programs.


Learning Outcome 5Prisoner reentry:• “all activities and programming

conducted to prepare ex-convicts to return safely to the community and to live as law abiding citizens.”


Learning Outcome 5Barriers to Reentry:• Life behind bars is very different than

life outside• Prison environment insulates inmates• Difficult to get housing and

employment


Learning Outcome 5Positive Reinforcement on Parole• Work release programs• Halfway houses


CAREERPREPHalfway House Program Manager

Job Description:• Coordinate recreational, educational, and vocational counseling,

and other programs for residents. Also, maintain the security of the house and the residents.

• Serve as a mediator between the residents and the community and as an advocate for the halfway house with community groups.

What Kind of Training Is Required?• A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in social work, career

counseling, criminal justice, or psychology. • Also helpful are internships, volunteer work with a halfway house,

or community service work through an agency.

Annual Salary Range?$29,390–$45,550.

For additional information, visit: www.michigan.gov/careers/0,1607,7-170-46398-64300--,00.html.


Learning Outcome 5Sex Offender Notification Laws:• Megan’s Law• Active notification• Passive notification


Learning Outcome 5Conditions of release:• No contact with children under 16• Continued psychiatric treatment• Permission to change residences• Stay a certain distance from schools/parks• Cannot own toys that could lure children• Cannot have job that involves interacting

with children

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Chapter 14 Behind Bars: The Life of an Inmate