Jack Abbott’s “In the Belly of the Beast” is a harrowing read and a damning indictment of the United States’ prison system in the 1960s and 1970s.
Much seems to have changed for the better since then. However, there are a number of problems which seem to persist – both in the US and here in the UK.
One of the most pernicious of these problems is that someone with little propensity for violence before prison is likely to discover that pre-emptive violence may be the best way to protect their interests in prison. Jack Abbott highlights this tendency towards offence as the best form of defence in prison throughout “In the Belly of the Beast”.
There is much talk of prisons being universities of crime. This description may evoke images of prisoners discussing safe-cracking and money laundering techniques. Hardly an ideal outcome for society.
How much worse though is the issue that prison may turn non-violent people into aggressors? Having learned to rely on violence for survival in prison, what is to stop the hardened prisoner relying on aggression following release?
Yet another reason why prison sentences for non-violent offences are such a disaster for society, in addition to their excessive costs and – in the majority of cases – failure to rehabilitate.
Why are they universities of crime? Is it because of those they are bound to associate with or is there a perceived need to develop these “skills”?
Good questions, Anon, and many thanks for posting your thoughts.
In response to your first question, it does seem that people often think of prisons as universities of crime because of the people prisoners are bound to associate with in prison (i.e. fellow convicts).
To put it another way, what proportion of a prison’s population would one expect to be good role models? How effective can rehabilitation into law-abiding society be without decent role models?
Whether there’s a perceived need to develop criminal skills is another good question. This is why it’s so important for prisons to offer work experience opportunities. By working hard for a real wage in prison, prisoners can improve self-esteem, learn skills which should help them find rewarding employment when they are released and contribute to their keep.
Thanks Justin.
From the article, it does appear that the “pre-emptive violence” may be related to safety issues. Is it a general trend or is this restricted to certain types of prisons?
Hi Anon, good question.
“In the Belly of the Beast” gives the impression that “pre-emptive violence”, or offence as the best form of defence, is prevalent in many different types of prisons from young offenders’ institutions to high security penitentiaries.
Are there any types of prison you can think of where the dynamic towards offence as the best form of defence might not apply.
It would be interesting to know whether such a dynamic is prevalent in women’s prisons too.