Question

Are there ways that staff members can influence or change the inmate subculture? If so, how? If not, why not?

Given what you know about why family members do not visit, what ideas do you have for how prisons can increase visitation?

Are there ways that staff members can influence or change the inmate subculture? If so, how? If not, why not?

Answer 1

Inmate subculture comprises of language, attitude, beliefs, norms and typical roles followed by prisoners which give them a distinctive appearance and overall personality compared to other people. Inmates use typical languages like shank or shiv (sharp weapon), pruno or hootch ( homemade jail house alcohol), crazies (middle aged inmates) to be used amongst them. They have typical attitudes and beliefs common amongst prisoners and cannot be noticed anywhere else. This inmate subculture is being developed during their tenure when they are imprisoned. It can slightly be modified by keeping an eye on them and monitoring them closely. Staff members can be strict in terms of their behavior towards inmates so taht such subculture can be avoided to some extent. But it cannot be changed completely as it is passed on along them due to the environment.

Family members do not visit the prison because of the unfavorable environment being found in the prison. The kind of language being used amongst the inmates, their attitude discourages the family members to visit. As a matter of social status and values prevailing in the society, visiting prison is not being taken in a positive way and thus it is avoided by the family members. In order to increase the visitation, there should be an isolated room for the meeting between the prisoners and the family members.There should be a healthy environment followed in the prison and nobody should eb allowed to pass sarcastic comments if any family members visit the prison.