This page consists of several reading and viewing materials to facilitate the study of incarceration through two subject lenses: criminology and sociology. According to the American Sociological Association, sociology is defined as the study of “social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior.” Criminology, defined as the “study of crime and criminal behavior,” is heavily informed by sociology. Together, the two fields seeks to answer the following questions:
What causes people to go to prison? What biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives have been offered throughout history?
How does the criminal justice system respond to crime/people who commit criminal acts?
What is it like to be in prison? How does imprisonment impact people’s well-being?
How are carceral institutions run? How do prison administration and staff impact the experience of being incarcerated?
How does prison impact relationships between people inside of prison and people outside of prison?
Answering these questions involves looking at issues of corrections, penology, and rehabilitation versus punishment. Furthermore, this guide will consist of studying theories of punishment, prison reform movements, and the psychology of crime.
This issue (Aug. 1989) of Halawa Bulletin provides a history of penology and corrections. Beginning with the first prison in Philadelphia, it discloses early forms of prison management. Supplement the reading with this video, which lists specific terms/key phrases specific to the field.
No Born Criminals - Lend a Hand (Feb. 1909)
The central claim of this piece is that criminals are not born; rather, society creates them.
To what extent is this true? What societal conditions ‘create a criminal’?
In 1933, Desert Press (a newspaper published at the Arizona State Prison) wrote a 4-part series in response to the question: what causes crime?
Causes of Crime, Restoration of Criminals and Prevention of Crime - The Beacon (August 1931)
This is Your Commissary Price List - The Pendleton Reflector (Jan. 1966)
Commissary Rules - The Reflector (Apr. 1943)
Commissary Additions - The Reflector (Feb. 1971)
Commissary Price - The Scroll (Aug. 1981)
Boxes of Hell - Compassion (Sept. 2001)
This short piece uses vivid imagery and concrete details to describe a cell. Focus is also given to the ‘hole’ – the cell one occupies while in solitary confinement
The Disturbing Element - Lending Hand (Feb. 1909)
An editorial about the relationship between guards and prisoners.
Visiting and Correspondence - The Beacon (Apr. 1940)
Mass Collective Retributive Punishment - The Prison Mirror (Sept. 2019)
Why A.A. in Prison - Agenda (Fall 1962)
Alcoholics Anonymous - What’s Up (Sept. 1966)
A.A. The Rock Bottom - The Eye Opener (June 1967)
S.A.T.P. / Substance Abuse Treatment Program - Long Line Writer (Jul. 1985)
Wynot is a prison newspaper published in Huntsville, Texas exclusively by the Texas Prison System Groups of Alcoholics Anonymous. The publication spans 3 decades and consists of over 65 issues
Addiction in Prison: A Community Problem Needs Community Solution - Nash News (Dec. 2021)
Inmate Welfare Counsel Meeting - Chainlink Chronicle (Jul. 2001)
Faith and Character Based Dormitories - Straight Low (Jan. 2005)
Panther Sports - Nash News (Jul. 2012)
50th Anniversary Angola Prison Rodeo - Angola Prison Rodeo (Jan. 2014)
How I spent 32 years in prison by George Martorano, TEDxPenn, (2016)
Second Chance 5k - The Reflector (Apr. 2019)
National Crime Victims’ Week - The Prison Mirror (Jul. 2019)
Prisons: A Social Failure - The Angolite (Feb. 1973)
How One Man Was Reformed - Lend a Hand (Feb. 1909)
This piece begins with two separate ideas: punishment for the sake of revenge vs punishment as a remedial agency. In your own words, what is the difference between the two? What practices and policies might each one implement or uphold. What might incarceration look/feel like under each idea?
Pick a newspaper issue from the late 20th century and identify programming that exemplifies ‘punishment as a remedial agency.’ Pick a newspaper issue from the 21st century and identify programming that exemplifies ‘punishment as a remedial agency.’
What are some examples of ‘punishment for the sake of revenge’?
Penology Plus by A Prisoner - The Agenda (August 1935)
In this piece, the writer asks the question: What is the penalization to which I have been subjected doing for me – and for society?
As you read, consider what answers the author directly provides to this question. Consider what answers are implied throughout the piece.
The author walks the reader through various aspects of incarceration (effect on friends on friends and family, standing before a judge, sentencing, entering prison). Identify the various words and phrases used to describe these events. How do these descriptions illustrate the effect imprisonment has on the psyche?
Turning Criminals to Ways of Honesty - Lend a Hand (Feb. 1909)
Make a list of the issues being addressed with the corresponding solution for each issue.
Example: “The parole system … has permitted the release of a well-behaved convict … but it does not go very far. What is needed is a system that will give all reclaimable convicts a chance to re-establish themselves.” The corresponding solution is to teach all men how to make a living and give them the same assistance they would give the paroled men.
Brand Whitlock: In Which He Says We Are Making Criminals When We Ought to be Reforming Them - Lend a Hand (Feb. 1909)
Who was Brand Whitlock? → read this to find out!
How does Whitlock respond to this question: What’s the matter with our system of dealing with the criminal? Write a 1-2 sentence of his response.
What are the two ‘cures’ he offers?
Another Way with the Criminal - Lend a Hand (Feb. 1909)
This piece discusses the relationship with people who have been incarcerated and the larger society.
According to the piece, how does the outside world treat/view those individuals who have served time?
Corporal Punishment - Never - The Pendleton Reflector (Jan. 1966)
In this piece, Bernard Dolnick provides three considerations for ruling out corporal punishment as a form of discipline.
Jail Debts: Should You Pay to Stay in Jail - Gold Rush Chronicle (May 2019)
Pre-Release: Hey, Are You Leaving? - Gold Rush Chronicle (May 2019)
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