Effects of organizational change on inmate status and the inmate code of conduct

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Abstract

This case study describes the process of status assignment among inmates in a maximum security penitentiary. The research involved analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data from semi-structured interviews with a random sample of inmates and selected prison officials. Results show that inmate status is largely dependent upon adherence to an inmate code of conduct. Participants in this study identified components of an inmate code which mirrors almost exactly the code described by previous researchers. This code includes “loyalty” (don't be a snitch), “doing your own time”, “standing up” for one's self and “smartness”. In addition to these factors, the type of offense for which the individual was serving time was reported to have a significant effect of status. Other factors, including preprison status and gang affiliation, were also discussed. The data also yielded serendipitous findings which indicate that historical changes in the structure and organization of this penitentiary have diluted the inmate culture through which status assignment is determined. The implications of these findings for sociological theory and prison policy are discussed. © 1997, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Journal of Crime and Justice

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