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How Do We Govern Our "Cities"?

NCJ Number
121654
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 88,90,94
Author(s)
B Useem
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The "Old New Penology" held that prison administrators' interference with the inmate subcultural network precipitated prison riots; the "New Old Penology" holds that incompetent formal prison management is a major factor in prison riots.
Abstract
Under the "Old New Penology" inmate leaders cooperated with prison officials in return for extra privileges and goods. These "con bosses" were believed to be instrumental in preserving prison peace, and interference with this network by attempts of prison administrators to undermine inmate power was believed to be a major factor in prison riots. Recent studies ("Governing Prisons: A Comparative Study of Correctional Management" and "States of Siege: U.S. Prison Riots, 1971-1986") indicate that incompetent prison management contributed to recent major prison riots. Under this "New Old Penology," the riot-prone system is characterized by certain ailments that sap the ability of the administration to contain disturbances and convince inmates that the imprisoning conditions are vulnerable and ought to be challenged. It follows from this view that maintaining a strong, coherent administration is the crucial element in avoiding disturbances.

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