Research Paper on "Prison Co-Culture and Its Relationship With Time"

Research Paper 5 pages (1450 words) Sources: 6 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Subsequently, breakfast is served, generally in shifts, starting at 6:15 AM. Road squads or work details generally are assembled by 8 AM, at which time inmates are 'counted', most likely 'searched', and then assigned to the various tasks at hand. Following this routine examination of the prisoners, the squad travels to the assigned work site, which is generally geographically 'close' to the prison. While there may be variance in travel time, most squads are working on their assigned tasks by 9 AM (NCDPS, 2012).

Again generalizing, the prison work squads are usually kept busy with their assigned task from approximately 9 AM until noon, at which time the lunch break occurs, typically for 30 minutes. The squad then returns to work until roughly 3 PM, when they return to the transportation vehicle, and are returned to the prison. At this time, each inmate is again counted and searched (NCDPS, 2012).

From the time of their return to the prison, until dinner at approximately 4:30 PM, the inmates have a limited amount of 'free time'. During this period they are expected to clean up from the work detail if necessary, in preparation for dinner. After the dinner period, the inmates are locked into a dormitory area at 7 PM. The inmates are restricted to this area, unless they have permission to participate in events occurring in the prison's programs building, such as the library or chapel (NCDPS, 2012).

At 9:30 PM, the programs are officially over, and inmates must return to the cell/dormitory area for the 'count'. Lights are dimmed in the sleeping area at 10 PM, and many go to sleep (NCDPS, 2012).

Application of Interpersonal Deception Theory

Within the confines of a medium security prison, rules are relatively strict. Any additional latitude given to an individual prisoner depends on the 'good will' of the guards and/or staff. This is a clear example of a top-end or 'status' driven situation with respect to the prisoner's time. To that end, it is in the interests of the prisoner to plead sickness, if he wishes to avoid work duty, or to plead the necessity of a visit to staff and/or medical facility during hours when inmates are limited in privileges. Unless the inmate happens to be on particularly 'good' terms with a specific guard, it is likely that the inmate will need to prevaricate, and that successfully, to 'get out of' assigned duties. It may also be the case that a group of inmates may 'petition' to watch a particular television program, perhaps different than that chosen by the staff member. In such a case, the group must persuade the staff member that this is the 'will' of the group, and/or is a 'better' choice. In each of these postulated cases, the inmates are working with Interpersonal Deception Theory to 'convince' the guard or staff member of their veracity. Thus, the actual 'time' or Chronemics for prisoners in the medium-security prison is affected by their relative position of inferiority. Interpersonal Deception theory explains successfully how a particular inmate might need to act in order to regain a modicum of personal freedom with respect to his own time.

Expectancy Violations Theory

In the case of Expectancy Violations Theory, founded by Judee Burgoon and colleagues (1996), communication is perceived to be a process of informational exchange. There is a particular 'dimension' of relational or interactive content, in which the communication affects the other person, either negatively or positively. This theory focuses on the extent to which a given communication is outside the boundary of interpersonal expectations, and the concomitant consequences thereof. A key point is that Expectancy Violations Theory has at least a partial focus on the extent to which the parties in communication have established a 'liking' for one another. This theory is considered to be 'psychosocial' in nature, and originated in evaluations of personal space barriers between individuals.

Expectancy Violations Theory can be examined in the context of a 'close' or maximum security prison; the schedule for this prison is outlined below.

Unlike the medium security prison, inmates assigned to a maximum security prison do not leave its boundaries. The inmates… READ MORE

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