Psychological Effect on Inmates in Prison - Outline Example

1) The purpose of prison is three-fold: punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation (Krestev, Prokipidis, and Sycmnias). 2) Prison life equals loss of liberty, goods and services, heterosexual relationships, autonomy, and security (Sykes), 3) Attention to preserving the mental health of inmates can deliver a safer prison environment, and result in inmates who are better adjusted to prison life (Crawford)D. Credibility: Jenny Krestev, Pathena Prokipidis, and Evan Sycamnias cite numerous publications in their discussion of “The Psychological Effects of Imprisonment.

” Gresham Sykes, who wrote “The Society of Captives: A Study of a Maximum Security Prison” was an American criminologist who received an award for his contributions to theory and research in the areas of delinquency and prisons (Encyclopedia). Psychologist Robert Morgan, Ph. D. has done extensive work in prisons, working with inmates, and studying the effects of prison on the human psyche (Crawford).Transition Sentence #1: While prison life punishes convicted criminals for their misdeeds, the intent of prisons is ultimately to deliver men and women back to communities who are rehabilitated and able to contribute in a positive way to society.II. BODYA.

Point #1: The purpose of prison is three-fold: punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation (Krestev, Prokipidis, and Sycmnias).Inmates are isolated from the world, their families, and their friendsThey are placed in an environment that prevents them from committing new crimes against societyThere is an assumption that, over time, the inmates will learn behaviors that will “sculpt them into productive and law-abiding citizens”Transition Sentence #2: Prison Strips an inmate of humanity and forces him or her to acclimate to a society that is foreign and frightening.B. Point #2: Prison life equals loss of liberty, goods and services, heterosexual relationships, autonomy, and security (Sykes 63-83)Inmates are required to obtain permission for many common tasksThe isolation of prison life results in “lost emotional relationships” and “loneliness and boredom”Amenities, such as cigarettes and liquor, interesting foods, clothing, and furnishings that reflect the individual are scarceThe loss of control highlights the inmate’s “personal inadequacy”Psychological problems resulting from the lack of heterosexual relationships include eroding of the inmate’s “ego image” and sexual identity, and guilt (if the inmate engages in homosexual behavior as an “act of sexual deviance under the intolerable pressure of mounting physical desire”)Inmates lose the power of choiceInmates are thrust into an unstable environment in which violence is the norm Inmates have to continually protect themselves and any possessions they may haveTransition Sentence #3: In the face of mounting loss, inmates cope with years in the prison environment, with many sentenced to life imprisonment. C. Point #3: Attention to preserving the mental health of inmates can deliver a safer prison environment, and result in inmates who are better adjusted to prison life (Crawford)Psychological services can help inmates cope with the length of their incarceration, dealing with separation from family and friends, acceptance of their situation, and surviving life in prisonInmates who are mentally stable are less likely to threaten guards or other inmatesPsychotherapy allows inmates to reflect on the “impact of criminal thinking and behavior patterns on others, and on others’ treatment of them” Inmates who participated in group psychotherapy studies showed improvements in the “psychological functioning and prison adjustment” when compared to control groupsIII.

CONCLUSIONA. Recap (Thesis & Major Points): Society must address the psychological needs of inmates if prisons are to deliver men and women into their communities who are rehabilitated, well-adjusted, and mentally stable. Prisons have objectives to punish inmates for crimes committed, deter repeat offenses, and rehabilitate inmates for life outside the prison walls. Prison life creates a great deal of loss for inmates to cope with. The ability to cope with the myriad of loss is critical to the inmates’ survival both in and outside of prison.B. Closing Strategy: Society cannot expect that the prison environment will be successful in addressing the psychological needs of inmates in a vacuum.

Community support outside the prisons for the work occurring within the prisons can assist with success in this area. In addition, heightened interaction with family and friends of inmates can reduce the feeling of isolation and assist with their transition to prison life.