Situational Explanations

• situational explanations?


  aggression in prisons is a result of environmental factors, social psychologists state that when individuals are in a crowded conditions can cause a rise in aggressive behaviours.
• Deprivation of liberty?


  prisoners deprived of freedom. (Blomberg & Lucken, 2000) prisoners often have to obtain permission to eat/sleep, shower, etc.
• Deprivation of autonomy?


  prisoners have no power and very few choices, leads to feelings of helplessness among inmates. this can lead to frustration and aggression
• Deprivation of goods?


  in prison access to things people take for granted are restricted/denied. leads to frustration > aggression.
• Deprivation of security?


  prisoners may live of fear of aggression from other inmates. perceived feeling of continual threat can result in aggressive response as a form defence.
• Gases et al (1985)?


  overcrowding in prisons can be the cause of: ill health, general misconduct, aggression and violence. Gases proposes overcrowdings leads to increased stress & overeactions.
• Wilson?


  2 units in HMP Woodhill: overcrowding reduced, music introduced and temp controlled. changes successfully lowered levels of aggression.
• Camp & Gaes (2005) Findings?

  field experiment: individuals just as likely to behave aggressively (33%) in low level security as high level security (36%)
• Camp & Gaes (2005) Method?

  Field Experiment: 561 male inmates to 2 diff categories in prisons, low and high security. inmates matched on criminal history and predisposition to aggression.
• McCorkle et al (2005)?

  371 state prisons found little evidence to support link b/w violence and overcrowding. stress experienced by all inmates but not all resort to violence.