aggression in context of prisons

• institutional aggression

  aggressive or violent behaviour that takes place within the social contest or a prison or other formal organised settings
• aggression in prisons

  a problem

  research includes the Feltham prison a young offenders institute

  300 acts of violence reported within 6 months
• dispositional explanation

  importation model- prisoners import their aggressive tendencies into prison with them

  may come from genetics, testosterone and serotonin levels alongside drugs, alcohol
• situational explanation

  organisaitional- influence of rules and regulations can prompt aggression

  physical- cramped conditions

  deprivation model- harsh conditions

  deprivation of liberty, autonomy, goods and services, relationships
• evaluation

  strengths research DeLisi 813 juveniles in institutions several negative dispositional features e.,g childhood trauma, substance abuse

  implications for rehabilitation e.g home environment

  weakness- idiographic
• interactionist POV

  both models are valid

  importation model better explaining inmates violence

  interactionist- prison for first time will suffer deprivation but doesn't always lead to a violent outcome without the individual characteristics