INMATE SOCIETY IN THE ERA OF MASS INCARCERATION

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Sociology
• Penal Studies

Background:

• Inmate social organization was a key area in criminology that declined as incarceration rates rose.
• Mass incarceration has significantly altered correctional contexts and inmate social structures.
• Contemporary research on inmate social life remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review seminal works on inmate social organization.
• To summarize the impacts of mass incarceration on prison society.
• To call for renewed research and collaboration in studying contemporary inmate social life.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of foundational and recent studies on inmate social organization.
• Analysis of the effects of mass incarceration on correctional environments.
• Proposal for network analysis approaches to complement qualitative and ethnographic research.

Main Results:

• Mass incarceration has likely transformed inmate social dynamics, though empirical study has lagged.
• Existing research on contemporary inmate social life is sparse.
• Network approaches offer a promising method for replicable and communicable insights into inmate society.

Conclusions:

• The current era of mass incarceration necessitates a resurgence of interest in inmate social organization.
• Understanding inmate society is crucial for prison stability, effective rehabilitation, and successful community reintegration.
• Enhanced researcher-practitioner partnerships are vital for advancing this field.