Models of Institutional Control - Assignment Example

The main goals of prison systems are to maintain custody, control, and care of inmates so as to the safety of inmates and prison staff and to prevent escapes from prison. On the other hand, prison management concerns incapacitating inmates while providing rehabilitation programs. In general, prison management has the task of monitoring both inmate and prison employee behavior (Brydensholt, 1983).   Control Model Under this model, the prison administration has the authority in its hands.

The administrators are uncompromising and apply stringent control measures over inmates’ lives. Under this model, the official channel utilizing a chain of command binds communication between administrators and staff (Dilulio, 1987). A control model is an effective tool in sustaining internal order within a prison system (Stojkovic, 2004).  Responsibility Model The responsibility model allows inmates to have some control and as a result, there is less disorder. Here, prison administrators rely on maintaining order by placing restrictions on institutional control and letting prisoners self-govern within a security setting.

The communication between staff and prison administrators is casual and all staff members communicate on daily basis without following a chain of command (Dilulio, 1987). This model is effective in preventing tension and disorder within the prison (Stojkovic, 2004).  Consensual Model The consensual model is a blend of responsibility and control models. This model shadows the responsibility model in that inmates have some control within the prison system and as such, there is less disorder.

This model disregards both the control and responsibility models.